Every good music scene has a few rooms that become bigger than themselves. They rarely make headlines while they’re open, but their importance becomes obvious when they disappear. For Harrisonburg, The Golden Pony was one of those places.
After eleven years of hosting touring acts, local bands, and countless late nights, the much-loved venue closed its doors this past weekend. The final shows featured Richmond favorites Illiterate Light, Shagwüf, and Gull alongside a packed room of friends, regulars, musicians, and former patrons gathered to say goodbye.
The closure is also a reminder of the challenges facing independent venues everywhere. These spaces often serve as cultural institutions and community gathering places, but they survive on the thin margins of small businesses.
As owner Paul Somers noted in his farewell announcement, independent music venues are increasingly endangered.
Read the original post HERE
Judging by the energy inside the room during its final weekend, The Golden Pony wasn’t short on love. But sometimes love alone isn’t enough to keep the lights on.
We hate to see this happen to any great music venue anywhere. Support your local musicians and go catch a show. These rooms are easy to take for granted until they’re gone.
Photos by Joey Wharton
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Illiterate Light by Joey Wharton
Gull by Joey Wharton
