578 replies to this topic

[Shakman]

burt, on Dec 19 2006, 11:31 AM, said:

Thanks for keeping us abreast of National construction, Shak.

What about the Thalhimer hole?  Has it been filled yet?

I'm hoping Tommy will take some close-ups of these developments when he's downtown Thursday.

Thalheimer hole has been filled.

[burt]

Does anyone have information of progress at The National Theatre (I'm going to have to start writing the word like everybody else does -- but it grates against my old fashioned respect for these buildings.)

TheatER.  Ouch!  There!!! I've said it.

Now I'm going to wash my mouth out with soap.

[burt]

Ryan says work appears to have slowed at The National.  Let's hope that does not portend anything we need worry about.

I have e-mailed the design firm and asked for more details and will report back when their reply arrives.

Where is Shakman?  Has he moved on to another city?  He was our point man on the Fed Court House and The National.

[wrldcoupe4]

The national's myspace page

Also, it's still under construction but this will be the National Theater's website once complete:

http://nationaltheaterva.com/

[burt]

wrldcoupe4, on Feb 12 2007, 08:33 PM, said:

The national's myspace page

Also, it's still under construction but this will be the National Theater's website once complete:

http://nationaltheaterva.com/

WOW!  

Many thanks Coupe.  My fears have abated since it certainly appears from myspace comments things are moving ahead quickly.    

That Myspace site is wild .  And the  renderings of the building's interior and exterior are great!  Just wish they weren't flashing so fast.  I want to savor each one.

I know I'm old and change-resistant, but this MTV style of simular picture display being universally  adapted by movie & TV directors is an insult.  It's like saying one has read a book when he has merely skimmed the chapters.

Yea National!    It's wonderful that the new venue already has a lot of young fans...and old ones, too.

Edited by burt, 13 February 2007 - 10:40 AM.

[ric75]

Acckk my only gripe is the seats but in a way that may be a good thing.  Once Toad's Place is complete (whenever that may be) well have two first class venues. One for upscale acts (The National) where people prefer to sit and watch music/plays and one for the younger crowd (Toad's Place) where people prefer to be standing and dancing in front of the stage.  We definitely don't want two identical new venues popping up. IMO, Toad's Place will be more similar to the Norva than the National will be.


Edit:  Ok perhaps I'm wrong about the seats. Is the area in front of the stage going to be open or will rows of seats be in place?

Edited by ric75, 13 February 2007 - 10:25 AM.

[wrldcoupe4]

They are removing all of the seats on the first level of the national... I believe there will be some on the balcony though behind the VIP area.

[ric75]

wrldcoupe4, on Feb 13 2007, 10:26 AM, said:

They are removing all of the seats on the first level of the national... I believe there will be some on the balcony though behind the VIP area.

Thanks Coupe. I'd do well to go back through the thread and actually read it before spouting off.  

I wonder how this will affect Toad's Place? I get the feeling the National is moving forward much faster.

[burt]

Welcome back, ric75.  You've been away too long.

I'm, excited about both venues.  I believe Toads and the National are going to be quite similar.  As I understand it, each will be a youth-oriented concert hall...sort of like The Canal Club but much larger and posher.  Neither will be a dance club if I undersatand correctly.

By contrast, NorVa near MacArthur Center in Norfolk is a concert venue while a few blocks away The Granby Theatre (also called Premier) combines concert and dance.

Our friend vdogg could clarify all of this for us.

The Myspace pix of National renderings are fairly clear -- flat floor in front of stage to just under the balcony from whence the rake will be retained -- perhaps with tables on risers.  There'll be a large bar along the west wall of the auditorium (actually in the sloped area, but obviously on a level); The front balcony (or loge) will be the VIP section and will have an entry along the west wall into a private bar and lounge.  The upper balcony will have fixed seating.  Building capacity will be 1500 and there will be two restaurants -- upscale dining on the ground floor of the wing at the corner of 7th Street, and a Pizza place in the eastern wing.  At least, that's my understanding.

I've never been able to figure out the configuration of Toads.  Some say there will be a hydraulic stage that will rise with players from the ground floor thru a hole that has been carved out of the second level.  But I cannot picture it in my mind.  

I wish Toads had a myspace page.

[wrldcoupe4]

Burt,

That cut out hole is to allow for people on the second floor to see the stage on ground level. I envision it being somewhat like Alley Katz... though bigger and nicer.

[burt]

I'm getting distraught about the National.  Apparently little or no work is going on and the city is waiting for a revised permit application for heavy work worth more than $2 million.

Daniel Construction has removed its sign from the covered construction walkway.

The myspace site that Coupe posted has wonderful renderings of what the finished product is supposed to look like.

What's going on?

[wrldcoupe4]

Burt, given your concern, you could contact Daniel & Company and inquire about the status. (804) 213-0400 or here is their not very user friendly website: http://danielco.net/

[jonbeattie]

wrldcoupe4, on Feb 15 2007, 01:45 PM, said:

Burt, given your concern, you could contact Daniel & Company and inquire about the status. (804) 213-0400 or here is their not very user friendly website: http://danielco.net/

WOW that is a rotten website!

[burt]

If you can believe the Building Permits column in the Times Dispatch (I think it is often out-of-date), work is progressing at The National.  Today's notation reads:  RIC Capital Ventures LLC, owner;Daniel & Co., Inc. contractor; 700 East Broad Street; alterations $2.42 million.

[deeznatz]

hello eveyone, I am new to the forum and happy to have a place to discuss the nerdy whims that we all have in our shared dream of making Richmond even more of an urban gem than it already is.

Anyhow, I have been frothing at the mouth for these clubs to open, esp. the National.  I regularly drive to DC for the 930 and Norfolk for the Norva to attend shows and it is about dam time we have our pwn places here in RVA.

I spoke to the contractor at the Nat a few weeks agao and he said additional work was needed on the interior and that it was costing a lot more money, and the owner switched contractors, etc.  He threw out another "18 months" until completion, which would put us towards the middle of next year, not this Spring.  Take that for what it is worth, but it does seem to have a long way to go.  This guy was a bit or a redneck type, who said they should just "tear the place down."  So, yeah, he kind of had that mentality.

Toad's Place.....just noticed they have a show booked(the Waybacks) on 6/16/07.  I was floored when i saw it on www.pollstar.com.  Official website still not indicating when they will open.  This place has had its opening delayed over and over again.  I really think the Nat will overshadow this club due to its affiliate with the Norva, which is totally first class, and its beauty.  Toad's place might be in a better spot, but we'll see.

That's all i got....

[burt]

That's quite a bit you've got there, deeznatz.  Many thanks, and welcome to the forum.  If his mindset is to "tear the place down", maybe Bill Reed and RIC Capital Ventures fired the wrong contractor!

I wonder if Johanas Design is still doing the interior?

So if the contractor is right, maybe we can expect a Nat opening around summer of 2008.

And excuse my ignorance, but are "The Waybacks", Toad's first booking, well known in young music circles?

PS:  Never occurred to me to call it "The Nat", but it's catchy.  I like it.

Edited by burt, 13 March 2007 - 08:05 PM.

[gntrphoo]

deeznatz, on Mar 13 2007, 05:53 PM, said:

I really think the Nat will overshadow this club due to its affiliate with the Norva, which is totally first class, and its beauty.  Toad's place might be in a better spot, but we'll see.

I think Toad's will easily be able to give the Nat a run for its money. While the Nat has an affiliation with the Norva, Toad's place has an affiliation with the original Toad's place, a storied night spot which I have visited on several occasions in New Haven, CT.  I think both venues will have considerable power with regards to attracting big names. I will be interesting to see how the competition plays out.

[burt]

gntrphoo, on Mar 14 2007, 10:14 AM, said:

I think Toad's will easily be able to give the Nat a run for its money. While the Nat has an affiliation with the Norva, Toad's place has an affiliation with the original Toad's place, a storied night spot which I have visited on several occasions in New Haven, CT.  I think both venues will have considerable power with regards to attracting big names. I will be interesting to see how the competition plays out.

Are The Waybacks considered a name act?

[deeznatz]

burt, on Mar 14 2007, 12:04 PM, said:

Are The Waybacks considered a name act?

No, not at all.  I seriously hope that isn't their first event, which i was hoping to be someting that would really =attract attention....like Wilco, My Morning Jacket, etc.

I am hoping that is just the first booking that appeared online, and not their "grand opening" show.

[burt]

deeznatz, on Mar 14 2007, 12:53 PM, said:

No, not at all.  I seriously hope that isn't their first event, which i was hoping to be someting that would really =attract attention....like Wilco, My Morning Jacket, etc.

I am hoping that is just the first booking that appeared online, and not their "grand opening" show.

Maybe, deeznatz, it's not really an opening of the club at all, but a revival of the music-on-a-barge canalside that was tried last summer.  It was discontinued, I have heard, because the City said the building, under heavy construction at the time, did not have bathroom facilities.

On the other hand, now that the hole has been cut exposing the basement level to viewers from above, The Waybacks may really be a booking in the club itself.  But I'm with you; they've got to have a strong opener.

Actually, all this chat should be in the Toads Place thread you just created rather than infringing here on The Nat's space. But I don't have the expertise to move it.

Edited by burt, 14 March 2007 - 11:34 AM.