Gallery 701™ Tony Trischka Michael Daves guitar Randy Lucas banjo backstage before Gallery 701™ concert on November 14, 2008.
Letter from Jack Gerstner
Alexander Hamilton - "Those who stand for nothing fall for anything."
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself FDR
Dear Friends,
Tonight you will hear The Original Gallery 701™'s continuing voice as we present world-class bluegrass masters Tony Trischka and Michael Daves, along with SC's own Carolina Rebels. We're fortunate to be teaming up with Dupre Percival and Vista Events in this charming historic building amidst lush gardens and scenic riverside vistas.
Since I get asked a lot, I would like to set the record straight regarding confusion in the community about the Gallery 701™ name. Practically everyone I speak to thinks I'm part of the new arts organization at 701 Whaley St. But that is wrong, I am not. The Original Gallery 701™ has been presenting high-profile art events in Columbia for twelve years. The last eight years, Gallery 701™ has continued to present art events at venues separate from the Whaley St. building. I have nothing to do with the building or its new occupants, apart from apparently serving as an original template to be copied for their mission and fundraising activities.
A friend recently confided she was writing a check for a pricey gala at the new 701" to support what she, and her many friends, assumed was "Jack Gerstner and Gallery 701™". She was shocked when I told her that was not me and that my original Gallery 701™ was in no way affiliated with Whaley St.
We made it abundantly clear at the closing; the buyers were only getting a building, we were not selling our name, Gallery 701™. Our name has a considerably higher value than real estate. And besides, you cannot sell a vision nor a dream. The dream of the Original Gallery 701™ lives on, just not on Whaley St.
Another misconception I want to clear up is the paper erroneously stated that, "Jack sold the building to avoid jail". That is completely wrong. In fact, after fighting the City in court for nearly two years, because I would not stand down and allow the City to tear down the building, I was sentenced to jail. After jail, we sold the building. I believe one should stand up for what is right, even if it means going to jail. Joe Pinner calls me "Don Quixote jousting windmills". I fought and went to jail, not over mere real estate, but to stand up against the senseless injustice of the City's Livability Court. For me, being an American citizen means exercising your freedom of speech and standing up against the eroding of our precious civil liberties and constitutional rights. Even if it does seem like jousting windmills. I think a little civil disobedience and a willingness to go to jail for something you strongly believe in is good for the soul. The building was saved by my incarceration and I'm glad it's been renovated with care. But to be perfectly clear, I want folks to know if they think they are supporting the Original Gallery 701™ by going to 701 Whaley St., they've been lured into confusion. So don't confuse the new start-up on Whaley St. with the real and continuing efforts of what Joe Pinner jovially suggested I refer to as Jack Gerstner's Original Gallery 701™.
When I saw Dr. Cornel West in July at the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta, I think he said it best, "The Market is not about voice, it is about echo; it is not about being original, it is about being a copy." The other 701 is a market-driven afterthought, a copy, a pale echo of the Original Gallery 701™.
The original voice of Gallery 701™ has been bringing happiness to people's lives through the arts, live music concerts, bluegrass, chamber music, jazz, rock, dance, theatre, opera, Tibetan Monks, Native American events and so much more since 1996.
2009 will be full of more incredible music, art, fun, laughter, and good friends, so keep in touch by visiting us on the web at www.gallery701.org. Thank you for listening to original voice of Gallery 701™.
Jack Gerstner
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Snuffy Jenkins and Pappy Sherrill - Long Journey Home 1990by WACarder12,522 views
Michael's a great talent!
greekflatpicker 11 months ago
Big Sciota! Gotta learn that one!
5stringmikey 2 years ago
michael daves is amazing...
... captain obvious right here.
adrock1011 3 years ago