Back in 2012, I was excited to visit the Vinegar Hill Mall in Springfield and talk with the people who were setting up Donnie's Homespun Pizza. My report highlighted the fact that unlike the previous Pizza Machine - Homespun wanted to focus on drawing in bands and utilizing the huge stage on the lower level.
Over the past few years it hosted dozens, if not hundreds of shows. Recently it also anchored the Bedrock 66 Live! performances, a project focusing on roots and Americana music, which WUIS helps sponsor. (The most recent show featured Lydia Loveless, a widely acclaimed name nationally when it comes to real-life, modern rock n' roll.) Not only has Homespun Republic been the venue for acts like Marky Ramone's Blitzkrieg and The Wailers, it also fostered amateur local talent on the regular with open-mic nights for musicians to jam and collaborate. It has also been the home of other local events like the poetry-centered open-mic called Expressions in the Dark. The venue had decided about a year ago to stop serving food and focus solely on the tunes and happenings, changing it's name from Donnie's to 'Homespun Republic.' The flagship business, which still serves food and hosts shows in Decatur seven days a week, will remain operational.
Rumors about the closure have circulated for weeks now. Thursday I heard from the IT's Scott Faingold, who joins me weekly for The Scene podcast, that it was official. All scheduled shows are now canceled, according to previous manager, Michael Tasch, who I contacted via email. (Though there are whispers that some may be hosted by other venues.) Tasch says the owner chose to close for personal reasons. So - the space is back up for grabs. While the entire building over on the corner of Spring & Cook Streets seems to have a bit of a curse when it comes to longevity - Julia's Kitchen and Lounge is having a successful go of it, serving up delicious and inspired southern comfort food, as well as music on certain evenings. Hopefully someone else will feel the inspiration to re-open the space formerly known as Donnie's and continue serving up an extra helping of music to the local scene... If not some pizza too.