NYC’s Tonic Faces Eviction

Tonic, that bastion of avant garde and experimental music on New York’s Lower East Side since 1998, appears to be is serious danger of closing up shop.

In a plea for help posted on their website, the venue owners state that they “need to raise upwards of $100,000 in the next few weeks.” Apparently, growing financial troubles due to rent increase, insurance costs, robbery, and building maintenance have pushed the organization to the edge. They are now facing eviction.

Hoping to turn the situation around, a series of fund raisers are scheduled and donations are being solicited. Tonic is also collecting and publishing testimonials on their website, such as this one from WFMU Music/Program Director Brian Turner:

Tonic has been an essential part of not only the New York music community but to the progression of music itself. It’s given a venue to activities so diverse and adventurous that few places would have the spirit to approach, not only providing the stage, but nurturing the scene and allowing for sound’s possibilities to be reality. I hope the people will pick something on the schedule this month and attend and spread the word, I can’t think of this place simply not being around.