| on 11-01-2007 09:51
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Published in : , Music |
by Marika Ley  On top of the Strahov hill there lies a living monument to the underground, currently in distress.
Since 1969 Klub 007 Strahov (often affectionately referred to as Sedmicku) has been a haven for diverse sub-cultures. Originally run as a Student Union by ČVUT pupils, during the Velvet Revolution Klub 007 became a meeting place for those with visions of dissidence and a forward thinking resolve carried out in secretive discussions and semi-public readings of published and un-published works espousing revolutionary ideas
 Turbo ACs
Officially owned by ČVUT, the student association governs administration for the entire campus and recently spent a hefty sum on outdoor sporting facilities. Why didn't they spend a little on structural improvements to the sub-culture icon that sits beneath the ground's surface under the number 7 student housing building? Ever hard-working, latently optimistic but perhaps not entirely negotiation-savvy, Ivo Kucera has been renting 007 from ČVUT since the early 1990's, renewing the contract yearly.  Kinski
However a strata of students do not agree that this cultural icon has the right to disturb their studies, or their sleep for that matter. Klub 007 has accumulated several noise violations over the years. Monika points out that it is not the complaints that are the issue and that no one is actively trying to close the club or put a end to the live shows - albeit the complaints most likely were the reason the city sent inspectors to the property to measure noise levels. “Every club must follow the official noise norms - so must we, that's the fact.” Monika states.  Turbo ACs
I must admit I was struck by the number of people who have been moved to rally behind the need to acquire the funds necessary to solve the venue's structural woes. Never before have I seen so many press releases and announcements in one form or another about a particular cause come across my desk [top].
The task of gathering an estimated 500,000 czk being a daunting one, several big name bands have agreed to lend their status and ticket sales to the club in a series of benefit shows slated from 1 - 14th of January 2007.
Some of the acts that will be playing Klub 007's benefit could fill the bigger newly opened Rock Cafe or the significantly larger Roxy.
To the scenes' credit the community combined appears to be a strong one, but does it have the ducats? Six shows at 150 czk a pop held at Klub 007 (300 person capacity and that's pushing it) does not half a million koruny make. Thinking outside the box about how to compile such funds; What about six venues? A few larger named bands? Bands outside the local network that have established themselves within 007's subterranean walls? Why not appeal to the area clubs to contribute for example; donating their respective venues for one night? Or is that some silly “united we stand, we divided we fall...”crap? For a more comprehensive look at 007 pleas visit this Prague Post article
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January 9th: Lvmen + Gnu
January 10th: Moimir Papalescu & The Nihilists + Magnetik
January 11th: Ecstasy of Saint Theresa + Tata Bojs
January 12th: Flowers for Whores + Clou
January 13th: Pene?i strý?ka homeboye
January 14th: Thema Eleven + See You in Hell
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