Club One Re-opening
By Gwen Leahy
We’re Back, Back, Back Again!
Club One Set to Reopen Under New Ownership
What is the difference between a theatre venue and a gay bar?
If you are looking for a punchline, guess again, that is a genuine question. Culturally, these two spaces provide essentially the same services to their community: they are local hotspots for the arts, they are safe spaces for all different demographics of people, they provide joy and positivity within their communities... Plus, where else can you find three pounds of glitter around every corner?
Almost two decades ago, Savannah night-life staple Club One recognized that the arts are a fundamental identity within the LGBTQIA+ community, and decided to open their iconic stage not just to the drag queens that called the Club their home, but to countless other performance troupes within the community. From theatre to burlesque, stand-up to band-takeovers, and even a memorable encounter with a certain watermelon-smashing performance artist, Club One has hosted a litany of performances over the years; and they are committed to making sure that that trend continues to grow.
With their re-opening at 301 Williamson St. (just a block away from their previous iconic location!) Club One is looking to expand their performance horizons, offering a safe and accommodating space to all artists in Savannah. In fact, one of Onstage Savannah and The Savannah Performance Alliance’s founding fathers, Rick Garman, is stepping in as one of the co-owners, partnering with long-time Club One General Managers Travis and Trey Coles. Having found a home at the Club after moving to Savannah, Garman has quickly become a pillar of its theatrical scene, developing a loyal following via his own performance troupe The Savannah Cabaret.
The trio, as well as all of the management and staff at the Club, are excited to usher forth this new era, touting a state of the art theatre space which will be open to any and all local production companies without a home of their own. Featuring an all new stage, lighting grid, sound system, and a bona fide audience seating space (without any pesky load-bearing columns in the way), Club One is dedicated to providing their historic charm and unadulterated acceptance, just with a much-needed face lift.
Club One is set to reopen in the fall this year, and hopes to hit the ground running with a full programming schedule including their iconic drag shows, bingo and trivia nights, themed parties, and, of course, a stacked performance line-up. For more information about their opening, or if you are interested in booking the venue for one of your own productions, follow Club One on social media and sign up for their email list at www.clubonesav.com.
