CLUBRIMSHOT PREPARES TO MOVE TO THE NEW BENCH & BAR IN OAKLAND AS PART OF NEW PARTNERSHIP!
SEE PRESS RELEASE BELOW FOR COMPLETE DETAILS
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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2009
CONTACT: William Sullivan
Email: rimshot4you@yahoo.com
Oakland CA - When event promoter Joe Hawkins first approached bar manager Keith Hobbs over fifteen years ago about starting a new Saturday night weekly party for the gay community that would include a hip hop, r&b, top 40 and house music format, Keith was all ears. “From the first night it was a hit!“ Keith said “I knew that there was a market back then and there is a bigger market today” said Hobbs.
But after a successful eight year run, clubrimshot left the bench-and-bar after the club became a victim of local redevelopment efforts and was forced to move from its original location to 2111 Franklin. “Many people thought that I had a beef with the owners of the bench-and-bar, but that was never the case. We all remained friends and my decision was strictly a business decision. During that time, the bench and bar was restricted to an abbreviated operating schedule by the city, as a result, I was unable to make money, so I left.” Hawkins said.
Although the details of the new partnership have not been disclosed, the owner Charles Bisbee, expressed satisfaction with the new arrangement. “Joe is family to us” said Bisbee. “I have been waiting for an opportunity to partner in a more meaningful way with clubrimshot in Oakland again, so we approached Joe about coming on board as a partner to help with our expansion and we are very excited to have him back under the Bench & Bar umbrella.” he said.
The timing for the opening of a new gay club in Oakland could not have been better, particularly after the recent closure of the VIBE lounge, which opened in June of 2008 but suddenly closed its doors in August of this year. “The Vibe’s closure was unfortunate” Hawkins said “Clubrimshot hosted the VIBE’s final party and it was one of the largest parties held there. I hope that the LGBTQ community in the East Bay will recognize that we can’t just support Grand Openings and Grand Closings. Gay clubs in Oakland need regular community support if they are to survive.” Hawkins said.
According the bench and bar owner, the former Bench and Bar located at 2111 Franklin Street is being renamed Club 21. The new sign at the new Bench & Bar, located at 510 17th Street is already in place waiting to greet party goers from all ove the Bay Area. The Club 21 sign will also be going up soon.
“The initial plan was for clubrimshot to move to club 21, but we all agreed that the 17th street address just fits clubrimshot better." Joe said. "We finally have two amazing LGBTQ club options in the new Uptown District and a home for clubrimshot every Saturday at an urban and upscale venue that rivals or exceeds any of the clubs (gay or straight) in San Francisco or in Northern California for that matter. The new Bench and Bar and Club 21 are social options that the gay community and our friends throughout the Bay Area can appreciate.“ Hawkins said.
According to owner Charles Bisbee, the new Bench and Bar is expected open any day now and will have a soft opening with a Grand Opening planned for a later date.
Hawkins went on to state, “Life is funny, I remember when the venue that the bench and bar is moving to on 17th street first opened. I was invited by the previous owner to come check out the club. I decided to invite the owner of the bench and bar over to see the space but when he arrived, security would not let him in because he and his team were not 'dressed properly,' they were wearing jeans and shirts without collars. I had to go to the door to vouch for them so that they could get in. Now look who owns the club...and it is gay...WOW!”
Programming for the new Bench & Bar will include happy hour from 4pm-9pm daily. The Thursday night promotion "Babylon" will feature house music and will be free all night. Fridays will be dedicated to the wildly successful longtime favorite "Latin Explosion", Saturdays will be Club Rimshot and Sundays will include a mashup of party promotions.
