Last night, musicians and fans gathered at the Austin Moose Lodge to bid farewell. It was the last night of shows for the beloved venue that gave local and national acts a one-of-a-kind space over the last few years. Anyone who had ever played the Moose was invited to bring an instrument and battle it out.
The whole night felt like a ticking time bomb: Bands and musicians were setting up everywhere, even in the men’s bathroom. Polly Smith, the fierce force behind many of the bookings, recorded the whole night on a tape recorder, while managing to keep things flowing smoothly.
Toilet paper, beach balls, and stuffed animals flew through the air amid the noise and screams. Beer bottles were broken over trashcans with drumsticks. It was an epic end to a venue that will be sorely missed and impossible to replace. See the gallery to the right for more.
This article appears in August 13 • 2010.