So, in case you haven’t heard, Holland was forced to take a hiatus for a few weeks until some serious stuff can be worked out. We feel positive we can win this, it’s just going to take a couple weeks to sort out–so stay tuned for info on where shows will be moved and updates on this process. Below is the letter we sent out to the email list. Be strong. We’ll get there. xo
Hello!
We have some things to talk you about, and because we’re all in this
together, we want to tell you what’s happening and make everyone
aware of the situation at hand. So here we go:
One guy. One neighbor, a very angry neighbor is waging a war against
Holland–and we’re in the process of fighting it, but it’s going to
take some time. The City of Reno has given us another permit, but it
has to go before the Council for approval. This will happen on June
13. In the meantime, in order to greater our chances for approval, we
cannot host our scheduled shows or events. We’ve been working
diligently (since last night, when the news was broken to us) to find
homes for the displaced shows–and it’s incredibly apparent why Holland
needs to exist. Places for people to gather and listen to music, that
aren’t bars or casinos, simply don’t exist here. So many venues, show
houses, basements, cafes, etc. have been shut down and the all-ages
places where we can listen to music or see an event are almost
completely gone. Makes this fight that much more important.
We’ll work endlessly to resolve this, and in the meantime, thanks for
your patience and your will–we’ll make it happen. Check the blog for
updates– www.hollandreno.blogspot.com.
Please call 775.742.1858, or email hollandreno@gmail.com with
questions.
Anonymous
May 27, 2007 -
Personally it just goes to show. This thing has been unorganized and lackluster from the beginning.
I hope the neighbor wins.
Anonymous
May 27, 2007 -
I’d be amazed if Holland came back. The City of Reno allowed this to happen and I doubt they’ll OK the new permit.
Another project dies in the city where dreams come to die.
myflagisonfire
May 28, 2007 -
Anonymous,
You obviously left those comments to get a response. So here you go, I’ll try one.
I don’t view this as a win or lose situation for the Holland project or our neighbor. The Holland project has excisted in that space for almost a year now, long before Mr. Moore moved in, and now understand his complaints. We’ve started to get loud and have done everything we can to sound proof the south wall protecting our neighbors from the noise, not able to completely keep all the noise in cause it’s a big concrete slab with metal siding. Fuck man, give us a break. It is unfortunate and frustrating that this has happened. But space is the issue. Holland isn’t that metal wherehouse on Keystone Ave., although we spent months and months building there. It’s an idea. It never left and it’s not going anywhere but everywhere. The beautiful thing about it is that it can excist anywhere we want. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.
Wow. What a really negative attitude to have mr. or miss anonymous. It shows cowardice and insecurity to hide your name anyway. What the fuck have you done? I’d love to meet for a glass of water and talk about what we can do to help the lackluster and unorganization. I’d really like your input. These last 2 comments are spit in the ocean and will be ignored by all of us with hope in our hearts still working postitively to keep this together.
May I add that in all my years as a touring musician, it is amazing that Holland has been able to relocate every show that has been cancelled. That is unheard of. Usually if a house or venue is shut down, the show is cancelled. Our wonderful booking committee has been working around the clock, reaching out to other alternative spaces to take these shows while this problem is sorted out, and has gotten much support and help from all over the community. Thankyou to those of you staying strong and no thanks to those who’d rather kill there own dreams. Whew, I’m gonna get off the internet now, get on my bike, finds what’s real, and keep my dreams alive!
britt
May 28, 2007 -
We’re not fighting the neighbor–we’re fighting for an open space for all-ages art and music. It’s not us vs. them–and that kind of attitude and negativity is not only predictable, but is exactly what kills projects in this town and keeps Reno from moving forward in any progressive way. We don’t have time for that.
And for a bunch of kids–volunteer at that–Holland’s been pretty on top of it-securing a million dollar insurance policy, obtaining Federal Tax Exempt Status on the first attempt (a process that takes months, and sometimes years), raising a ton of money ourselves (without any help from any outside sources), working with over 200 volunteers, throwing two giant parties–including the double dutch street battle and a space-themed fashion show/art auction, forming alliances with an incredible array of community groups, organizations and leaders, constructing and gutting our warehouse (including building a stage, an equipment closet, a gallery, installation art in the pods, walls, painting, putting up the recycled tubes, and more), securing major in-kind donations from sound and lighting equipment to materials and instruments, getting the youth board in place, being a truly community driven collaborative effort, hosting more than 10 events-in almost every genre–in less than three weeks since our opening before the incident hit, and yes, working with the City to make sure this town has an all-ages scene–all in less than a year. Call that lackluster? That’s fine. I call it a damn good start
paveovertahoe
May 28, 2007 -
Dear anonymous…
Please, consult this website:
Nice resources for cloak and dagger commentators.
heather
May 29, 2007 -
Dear Anonymous and Anonymous,
You must not know Holland very intimately. For if you did, you would know that this project is not merely a physical place. It is a process, a very real process of imagination and productivity, of crossing cultural boundaries, and pushing hope in a world of hapless and habitual apathy. Holland is a community of Professional Human Beings. I know not where your monsters come from, but I recommend making peace with them before they take over permanently.
broadway_joe
May 30, 2007 -
I’m sorry to say it, but this is the same thing I’ve seen before in other places. Having been involved with all-ages clubs before, it’s kinda ridiculous how high the bars get set just to get the place up and running, then one cranky old bastard brings it all down.
I applaud the efforts to placate the complainer, and wish you all the best, but I’d also suggest investigating the complainer. More than once I’ve seen an all-ages club get shut down by a complaint, only to find out later that said complainer was actually paid to do so by a member of the local government.
myflagisonfire
Jun 2, 2007 -
Just a grammar correction:
“Excisted” is word I accidentally created, a combination of the word “excitement” and “existed”. Henceforth, one can be excited about existence.
myflagisonfire
Jun 3, 2007 -
Just another grammar correction:

”Excisted” is a word I accidentally created; a combination of the word “excitement” and “existed”. Henceforth, one can be excited about existence.
Find the riddle. See ya Tuesday.