End of an aura: The Lakeshore's final moments

A text message that read: "Say goodbye to the Lakeshore by drinking her dry. Unofficial last show of Lakeshore rumored to be at around 3am," had me chaining up my bike in front of the celebrated theater at around 1:45am last Saturday night. The late show for Aussie comic Jim Jefferies was just letting out and the mood in the air was one of celebration and nostalgia (augmented by a ton of hooch).

The place was filled mostly with local comics and their friends including Junior Stopka, Danny Kallas, Sean Flannery, Adam Burke, Ken Barnard, Beth Stelling, Backdoor Aly, CJ Toledano, Chris Condren, Joe Kilgallon, Tony Blanco, Brian Bowden, James Fritz, Bill Cruz, Tamale Sepp, Liza Treyger, Lauren Vino, Jacob Williams and many others. There was a sense of nostalgia as the Lakeshore crew gathered on stage for a group photo while onlookers drained the open bar. The comics each took their turns at the mike; Burke bantered with Jefferies, Blanco affectionately ripped the Lakeshore and Williams played an earnest set, while many of us muttered among us about the fate of the celebrated comics who found a home at the Lakeshore.

As the evening wound down, I found myself chatting extensively with Beth Stelling. She tipped me off about a performance group named DAAN playing the next night at Entertaining Julia, a Sunday variety show at the Town Hall Pub hosted by Stelling and the Puterbaugh Sisters. I went and loved it every second. It reminded me that while great venues come and go, great talent finds a home.

Thanks for the memories Chris Ritter. To the Lakeshore, we raise one final glass.