Lark Tavern benefit
There's a "Rock to Rebuild the Lark Tavern" benefit coming up May 22 at the Washington Park lake house. On the schedule for the event: music, food, an art auction and a silent auction. Tickets are $10.
If you have goods or services to donate, contact Jasen Von Guiness: jvg |at| albanysociety |dot| org.
If you have art you'd like to donate for the auction, contact Samson Contompasis at the Marketplace Gallery: TheMarketplaceGalleryNY |at| gmail |dot| com.
To volunteer: larktavern.volunteer |at| gmail |dot| com
Earlier on AOA: Fire at Lark Tavern
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Comments
Bar profit + Fire Insurance = why does this bar need a benefit show or donations?
... said jaki on May 10, 2010 at 2:44 PM | link
@Jaki -- that question has been debated for the last week.
Here's how I like to answer it: Albany has a special relationship with the Lark Tavern. There are no shortage of people who want to help them out. To my knowledge, besides asking other bar owners to hire her staff, Tess never asked for help. People just offered it, immediately, and in droves. She's given so much to the community over the years, the community just felt the need to give back.
I want my Lark Tavern back! And I will gladly contribute money to help get it back.
... said Erik on May 10, 2010 at 3:18 PM | link
i sort of agree with jaki.
i love lark tavern and i love tess, but it is a bit sad to see so many people donate (and plan to donate) to a private business owner.
i understand that tess never asked for help. but there are a lot of hungry kids in albany who don't ask for help either yet really need it. it would be great if people rallied in such force for them.
just sayin....
... said sarah on May 10, 2010 at 3:47 PM | link
This has been a very interesting experiment in group dynamics.
Sure, there are thousands of hungry kids in Albany, but that doesn't stop people from giving millions of dollars to an already wealthy institution like RPI. People don't always direct their giving to where it is needed the most. For a lot of folks, the Lark Tavern isn't just a bar. It's a really important part of their life.
Here's how I think about it: the LT is Center Square's living room. If a friend's house burned down and he lost his possessions I would gladly do what I could to help him get back on his feet. Even if he had a job and insurance.
To make matters more complicated, Tess doesn't own the building. Residents of the neighborhood are rightfully worried of the prospect of it laying empty or being torn down because the building owner would rather write it off as a loss.
... said Erik on May 10, 2010 at 4:17 PM | link
@Jaki
Deductibles. Insurance doesn't cover everything. I'm not sure what Tess's insurance policy covers, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't cover everything 100%. I'm also pretty sure it doesn't pay for her personal expenses and since the bar is her job, with it shut, I doubt she has income.
@ Sarah
I'm going to agree with Erik here. I've done fundraising for charities in the 518 and you know who is first on my list? Tess. When I helped with a fundraiser for a family who's house burnt down, she offered prizes and food. For free. With a smile. Asking what else she could do to help. In times when it's hard to get people to donate spare change, Tess is donating hundreds of dollars. I have no problem donating my spare change to a woman who has helped so many people. Pay it forward.
... said Ellie on May 10, 2010 at 4:18 PM | link
From what I understand, these funds will be used for the staff, who will now be unemployed for months, which is scary when you're 20 and have been working at the same place for a while. Tess keeps saying she isn't worried for her, she's worried for her staff. The bar will come back, but its not just a building. Tess has built a community in that place, and the staff are all part of it. Anything we can all do to help them out is great.
... said Melissa on May 10, 2010 at 4:56 PM | link
Do we know the name of the owner of the property? I'd like to see some outreach to that person, so they don't decide to take THEIR insurance money and run.
... said Erik Dollman on May 11, 2010 at 12:46 AM | link
If you're like me the money you donated would have likely been spent there anyway. Not changing the destination of the river, I'm just altering the route :)
... said daleyplanit on May 11, 2010 at 9:49 AM | link
@daleyplanit: that's a very good point. A fair amount of money over the next 3 to 6 months it will be closed.
... said -S on May 11, 2010 at 10:23 AM | link
Jaki (if indeed you are the Jaki I know and love,)
I was just going to say, "Really?!?" and leave it at that, but... Remember the time we walked into the Tav, probably ten minutes before the show and Tess said, "Oh, I've been waiting for you guys," and whisked us up to the table she'd been holding, without our even asking? She didn't even really know we were going to be there, but she knew.
I'll see you at the benefit, you little Devil's advocate. ;)
... said Leigh on May 11, 2010 at 10:58 AM | link
@erik
Di Napoli
And I will restrain from making any comments about the owner or their relationship with the tenant.
Except for the parking lot...
... said MattW on May 11, 2010 at 12:08 PM | link
@leigh
I do remember this event. I was retelling it just yesterday to Crackers.
I'll see you and your gentle scolding tone at the benefit.
... said jaki on May 11, 2010 at 2:10 PM | link
Can't wait for the fundraiser!
Just out of curiosity, does anyone know how the fire started?
... said Sarah on May 11, 2010 at 5:11 PM | link
@Leigh;
Tess does know!
It's uncanny.
... said Matthew on May 11, 2010 at 6:06 PM | link