Long-running Philly venue The Fire closing
It’s the end of an era for the Philadelphia music scene: The Fire on Girard Avenue in Northern Liberties is closing at the end of its last show Wednesday. Owner Karen Lauria Saillant said she was closing the venue after opening it in 1999 inside Philadelphia Bar & Grille.
“I am not able to continue after the death of my beloved son, Christian Bygott, who was our manager & our backbone,” she said in announcing the closure.
Saillant, who bought the space in 1988 with her late husband Bernard F. Bygott, touted hosting acts such as Maroon 5, My Chemical Romance, Jason Mraz, Bill Kreutzmann of the Grateful Dead, Sun Ra Arkestra, Schooly D, Amos Lee, Dr. Dog, Hezekiah Jones, Mutlu, SantiGold, and more.
In addition to those big names, she said acts from all over the world—China, Scotland, Brazil, Italy, Korea, Singapore, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Mexico, Chile—performed at the intimate venue.
Another major star who performed at The Fire in their early days was John Legend. Legend and Japanese opera star Yasko Fujii are featured prominently in a mural by Alloyius McIlwaine on the western facade of the building.
The building was also featured in the Tom Hanks- and Denzel Washington-led film Philadelphia, directed by Jonathan Demme, as Bruce Springsteen’s “Streets of Philadelphia” plays.
The Fire is “the only remaining grassroots music club in Philadelphia,” Saillant said in her announcement, and noted it served as the headquarters of International Opera Theater.
She also said the space hosted community meetings, artist workshops, Fringe Festival events, Commedia dell’arte classes, and more throughout its years.
“I’m so proud of all The Fire has contributed,” she said. “I especially want to thank our beloved Paulo Castro, who has worked with us and believed in our goals and mission of community building for over 20 years!!”
