After nearly 50 years of live music, the end of Johnny D’s is coming into view. But not without a proper sendoff.
The longtime Somerville venue has quietly posted details of its final show on its homepage, asking its patrons to join its “final day” with a second line brass band procession through Davis Square on Sunday, March 13. Leading the charge are the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, a costumed, Boston-based improvisational brass band, and Somerville’s Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band, a 25-piece New Orleans-style ensemble who are also the founders of HONK! street festival.
“We thank you all for being the greatest customers and supporters ever,” Johnny D’s writes, “and we look forward to celebrating and bidding a proper farewell with you all!!”
Last summer, it was announced that Johnny D’s would be closing after 46 years of live music, jazz brunches, and friendly neighborhood hangs. The news came at a time when it seemed that many of Boston’s rock clubs were shuttering; last year saw the closure of T.T. The Bear’s Place in Cambridge, Church in the Fenway, and the Beachcomber in Quincy.
Initial reports had the club closing in January or February. Instead, it’ll extend into mid-March before its 309-person capacity, 3,900-square foot building renovates to become a three-story housing complex and ground-floor commercial space.
“It’s time for a change,” owner Carla DeLellis told the Globe last summer, stressing that it was a personal decision, and not a financial one, to close the club. “It’s not that the money is bad, it’s that my other options are better, and it’s very hard work,” she added.
In recent weeks, Johnny D’s has been celebrating its legacy with a Local Legends series, pairing up classic Boston acts (Robin Lane & the Chartbusters, Jon Butcher Axis, the Stompers) with newer bands and artists (Ruby Rose Fox, Goddamn Draculas). The series continues tomorrow (Friday, January 29) with John Cafferty And the Beaver Brown Band.
