A new audio documentary debuted on KALW yesterday chronicling the final days of Marlena's, which closed in March.
In the documentary, called "Marlena's Curtain Call," David Boyer interviews several of the bars regulars and staff, as well as Garry "Marlena" McLain himself. Many interviewees describe Hayes Valley before the overpass came down, and how Marlena's was a bright spot in an otherwise bleak area. When the freeway was dismantled, things changed rapidly, but Marlena's remained the same. "I saw this neighborhood go from nothing to what it is now, and it's phenomenal," Marlena says at one point. Others aren't so happy with Hayes Valley's transformation. "It's not the neighborhood I moved into," one patron says. "Gentrification is the dark side of change, when people who live here find themselves part of the past and not the future," says another. Marlena explains why it was time to sell the bar, and expresses gratitude for all the support as the bar's last day arrives. Marlena's final night begins with an emotional toast "to our future, and our wonderful wonderful past," and of course a curtain call performance. The whole documentary is definitely timely, as Marlena prepares to ride in this weekend's Pride parade as Grand Marshal. So if you have time, give it a listen. As for the bar at 488A Hayes, we'll have news on its new occupant, Brass Tacks, very soon. Stay tuned.
In the documentary, called "Marlena's Curtain Call," David Boyer interviews several of the bars regulars and staff, as well as Garry "Marlena" McLain himself. Many interviewees describe Hayes Valley before the overpass came down, and how Marlena's was a bright spot in an otherwise bleak area. When the freeway was dismantled, things changed rapidly, but Marlena's remained the same. "I saw this neighborhood go from nothing to what it is now, and it's phenomenal," Marlena says at one point. Others aren't so happy with Hayes Valley's transformation. "It's not the neighborhood I moved into," one patron says. "Gentrification is the dark side of change, when people who live here find themselves part of the past and not the future," says another. Marlena explains why it was time to sell the bar, and expresses gratitude for all the support as the bar's last day arrives. Marlena's final night begins with an emotional toast "to our future, and our wonderful wonderful past," and of course a curtain call performance. The whole documentary is definitely timely, as Marlena prepares to ride in this weekend's Pride parade as Grand Marshal. So if you have time, give it a listen. As for the bar at 488A Hayes, we'll have news on its new occupant, Brass Tacks, very soon. Stay tuned.
