Help Save the Sweetwater
Tucked away in the heart of Mill Valley, the Sweetwater music club has been the premier live music location in the North Bay. Hosting both nationally and internationally known acts, the Sweetwater has been a pillar in the San Francisco Bay Area music scene for over 30 years. Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker, John Hiatt, Dave Grisman, Ben Harper, Dave Matthews, John Hammond, Elvis Costello and Train are just a few of the thousands who have graced the stage at the Sweetwater. This place is history right here in the San Francisco Bay.
On August 5, 2007 it was made public that the Aversa family (owners of the building) is forcing the Sweetwater (business owners) out of the current building and is planning for pending 'repairs'. The current rent payments far exceed local property values and the Aversa family plans to raise rent by an unheard of amount, although at this point the conversation is not even open to allow the Sweetwater to move back into the building no matter what the rent is. We need your help in raising positive awareness that the Sweetwater is worth saving %u2013 for music, for the merchants and residents of Mill Valley, and for the culture of the Bay Area. By signing this petition you are using your voice to show support for this community doing what needs to be done to keep this piece of music history right where it is.
Please show your positive support for the Sweetwater by signing this petition now. Forward it to everyone you know. We need you. This only takes a few minutes and it is so important.
Tucked away in the heart of Mill Valley, the Sweetwater music club has been the premier live music location in the North Bay. Hosting both nationally and internationally known acts, the Sweetwater has been a pillar in the San Francisco Bay Area music scene for over 30 years. Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker, John Hiatt, Dave Grisman, Ben Harper, Dave Matthews, John Hammond, Elvis Costello and Train are just a few of the thousands who have graced the stage at the Sweetwater. This place is history right here in the San Francisco Bay.
On August 5, 2007 it was made public that the Aversa family (owners of the building) is forcing the Sweetwater (business owners) out of the current building and is planning for pending 'repairs'. The current rent payments far exceed local property values and the Aversa family plans to raise rent by an unheard of amount, although at this point the conversation is not even open to allow the Sweetwater to move back into the building no matter what the rent is. We need your help in raising positive awareness that the Sweetwater is worth saving %u2013 for music, for the merchants and residents of Mill Valley, and for the culture of the Bay Area. By signing this petition you are using your voice to show support for this community doing what needs to be done to keep this piece of music history right where it is.
Please show your positive support for the Sweetwater by signing this petition now. Forward it to everyone you know. We need you. This only takes a few minutes and it is so important.
Because it is an essential part of the bay area that needs to stay!
Sweetwater has an historical value to the area, in addition to being a great neighborhood bar that has drawn me to Mill Valley many times. It would be a shame and tragedy if it were to close.
My favorite band the Beautiful Losers play there. Also you cant close a bar that Sammy Hagar plays at!
I grew up in MV and the SW is a part of what makes my hometown special.
I was born and raised in Mill Valley and still consider it home. Sweetwater is a Mill Valley institution and so many amazing people have played there. You can't shut it down! A little piece of Mill Valley will die.
who else would give us a place to play??
great open mic
The Sweetwater is a part of Marin County and music history.
One of the few Marin neighborhood clubs to hear good music live. Plus all that history. It'd be a shame to lose a treasure like the Sweetwater.
Although I have never been to a show at the Sweetwater, I feel that it shouldbe preserved because of it's significance in the Bay Area's music scene. and without this what else does Marin have? yeah ummm... nothing.
it is an institution in the world of great music.
Because it represents the spirit of old Marin!
Because Mill Valley is losing its personality and essence.
i have been to many good concerts at sweetwater & used to live in mill valley SAVE THE SWEETWATER !!!
There's something about the magical musical moments in the Sweetwater that have touched so many of our hearts & souls.I used to perform at the open mics there in '96 & '97. I made some great friends at that charismatic bar. I loved looking at the pictures on the walls, Charlie Deal's toilet seat guitars, blowing smoke bubbles in front of the building, gettin' in tune on that little back deck,& on & on. I got to see Merl Saunders(& talk with him),New Riders,Jorma,Vinyl,Bob Weir, even my friends from Oregon,Calobo in such a great small,smalltown venue. So, aren't there some Bay Area/Marin Co. mugicians willing to put there 2 cents in?? Hopefully so... I haven't been there in a couple of yrs. & I'm sure it needs repairs, but why don't the owners see the Historical Musical Value? I'm still grateful,& the memories will live in my mind til I die.And by the way,I've met people on Kaua'i,in upstate NY,& even in Corvallis who've talked about shows at The Sweetwater, & we all love it!
Please keep me posted on the progress of the Sweetwater. Keep in mind that I'm broke, so do not ask me for $$. Thanks.
I'VE BEEN THERE AND THE PLACE ROCKS.
The Sweetwater is a fundamental element to the charm and uniqueness which is/was Mill Valley
i want to visit this site in the future
It's been a place to share msuic and friendship for many years and I have always enjoyed myself there.
Truly an institution, with enormous historical value. Please give it time to migrate to a non-commercial format, if necessary in another location.
I have lived overseas most of my life, but visit every time I'm in town (twice a year).
Great entertainment venue.
The Sweetwater is a historical landmark if you enjoy live music as I do. The last thing Mill Valley needs is another up scale boutique, art gallery or retail unit. Mill Valley is already loosing its most famous record store, don't let them take the Sweetwater as well.
For the value that the music brings to us as a community as well as a symbol of the original smalltown community spirit.
I'd be happy to take a 1% equity interest in seeing Sweetwater come alive at it's new digs - I read just today that you'll be taking over at 32 Miller at the old Greenwood place.
SAVE WHAT MAKES MILL VALLEY MILL VALLEY! Dear Mayor and Council Members: Step back, consider how few things remain to keep Mill Valley a unique village...with only-in-Mill Valley culture...instead of one more over-priced, cookie-cutter fake * destination * and Disney-style enclave. You need to PRESERVE CHARACTER, since you already have abundant COMMERCE .I urge you NOT repeat the mistakes of failing to intervene in VILLAGE MUSIC. Individual landlords should not have the bleak privilege to destroy historic sites. Take the local color --like VILLAGE MUSIC and SWEETWATER-- out of Mill Valley, and what's left? Don't go down in California and Music history as the City government that stole the village and the music from Mill Valley.
What do you want to put there? Another shop? Sweetwater is a great Mill Valley institution and would be a great loss to the Marin County music community.
When I was in my 20's my ex and I went to the Sweetwater and heard some of the most incredible music ever! To see this monument to music destroyed would be a crime
IT IS AN INSTITUTION KNOWN FROM COAST TO COAST AND HAS LAUNCHED NUMEROUS CAREERS. IT WOULD BE A DISHONOR TO MILL VALLEY AND ITS RESIDENTS AND THE ARTISTS AND FANS THAT FREQUENT THE SWEETWATER
DID YOU EVER THINK OF MAKING IT A NATIONAL/HISTORICAL LANDMARK. OR INVITING THE GOVERNOR TO VIEW A SHOW THERE???? GET HIM ON YOUR BANDWAGON. HE COULD MAKE IT AN HISTORICAL LANDMARK IN A HEARTBEAT. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS. THE TOWN OF MILL VALEY WILL SUFFER. FAIRFAX AHAS HOW MANY BARS AND THE TOWN BENIFITS FROM ALL OF THEM.
As a german tourist I had two times the chance to visit the Sweetwater. One time I saw Jack Casady & Friends there, the other time I had a handshake with Bob Weir. As an old Deadhead: what else can I say ?
I havent had a chance to perform there yet and I just recently started performing...there's no other place I'd rather say that I've played...
The sweetwater is one of the only music venues in the north bay that attracts many bands that I like to see live. There aren't many around, and to see one of the three major venues north of san francisco disappear is disturbing. I haven't lived here for 30 years, but the fact that this venue has so much history to it, makes it closing down all the more sad. Compared to what will go in its place - probably a clothing store or another restaruant, it doesn't really compare. Good luck sweetwater!!
Great place to hear great music, meet local friends; would be a shame to lose this landmark we know and love. Please reconsider! Don't let greed get in the way of doing what is right for the community.
Having lived in Chicago my whole life (a great town for small music venues), I was thrilled to find such a great place to listen to local music. I have had great experiences at the Sweetwater and it would be really tragic to loose such a community jewel.
because so many famous musicians have walked through that door... and now we are too just throw it away, and forget how much those musicians changed our lives. I for one am totally against sweetwater being closed.
Some things are bigger than making a little more money. The soul of a town, for example, and if Sweetwater goes the way of Village Music we have no one to blame but... all of us!
One day i will go to Sweetwater to visit this club.
I think it is culture monument and must be protected!
I´m fro Germany and knew the Sweetwater for abaout 20 years. In 2003 My son and I had the luck, to visit this wonderful place and to attend a few shows. I planned to come back to Sweetwater at the end of the year and, believe me, it drove me to tears, when I read, there will be no Sweetwater anymore... So, please...
