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In Miami Chum Bucket‘s two years of existence — first as a fundraising-slash-organizing effort, then as a short-lived warehouse-b/w-multipurpose space in Allappattah — the DIY punk venue has been continuously weighed down by process.
First, the process of opening, which provoked enough skepticism that the organizers cheekily (and in good spirits) joked onstage about it at the venue’s opening bash. That first night, and the month and a half that followed, however, was a hearty realization of a punk rock oasis, with a distro and volunteer calendar in the back and furious mosh pits in the main room.
But ever since the Chum Bucket’s flagship 305 Fest was halted in the middle of its second night by police, the venue has hung in limbo. Until now.
The Official Chum Bucket Facebook, along with numerous Bucket organizers and affiliates reposting, sent out the following message last night:
We’re thankful for you. Are you thankful for us?
We feel thankful for our staff and for the privilege of fulfilling our mission to be an unparalleled source of information and insight in Miami. We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to this community.
Help us continue giving back to Miami.
Crossfade contacted Chum Bucket collective member Ashley MacLaren, who cited Wynwood and Little Havana as possible future destinations.
The space has recently been in an extended period (longer than its actual period of operation) of exile, with regular benefit shows thrown around town akin to the series of events that led to the venue’s original opening. Despite the spirited nomadic existence of Chum Bucket, though, there has been little information regarding the physical venue’s status until now.
“We weren’t talking because we weren’t sure what was going to happen,” MacLaren explained. After initial shutdown at the discretion of the police — Chum Bucket organizer Gordo told Crossfade that no one had called the cops, they simply saw the crowd and investigated – the collective began to petition the city for rezoning, a campaign that was apparently somewhat successful. It was possible, but it was going to cost a lot of dough, as explained above. So the only realistic option was to relocate.
“I want people to know we’re not giving up,” MacLaren says, concerned that supporters are growing frustrated with the collective.
“We’ve learned a lot.”
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