276 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

In the text description they mention two other people and positions, so they are there.

So I guess there are three voting positions? The member at-large doesn’t get a vote?

[magmazing]

Some on Reddit don't think it's quite right that Smith is both head of the non-profit, plus a for-profit operator in the same building (that's about to potentially get upgrades). 

Unless the upgrades includes soundproofing the ceiling of Hermann's, I don't see how The Coda benefits? The criticism of Al's role make no sense to me. 

[Victoria Watcher]

$364,936

[Victoria Watcher]

 

https://savehermannsandvss.com/

 

5 days left.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 21 April 2026 - 12:36 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

$407,330

[Mike K.]

Are there some big donations in waiting, perhaps?

[spanky123]

Even though the society has promised a refund if their goal is not met, some people may be waiting to see how close they get before writing the cheque.

[Victoria Watcher]

$427,206.

[Victoria Watcher]

[Victoria Watcher]

$437,832.


Down to the wire?


2 more days to get to $450,000.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 24 April 2026 - 11:17 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

 

https://savehermannsandvss.com/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 24 April 2026 - 04:34 PM.

[Mike K.]

It looks to me like it’s a done deal now. Congrats to them.

[Victoria Watcher]

$447,182.

[Victoria Watcher]

April 26, 2026
Hi,

Because of you, Hermann’s Jazz Club and View Street Social have a future.

We have now collected over $450,000.

That didn’t come from one source. It came from thousands of people — from this community — who stepped up when it mattered.

Thank you.

What you did here is extraordinary.

But I want to be clear about what this means — and what it doesn’t.

This isn’t a return to business as usual.

We will still be proceeding with the previously announced closure on April 30, followed by a 3 to 6 month pause.

This gives us the time we need to do what should have been done years ago:
• Address historical financial obligations
• Complete critical repairs and deferred maintenance
• Fully understand and rebuild the organization properly

When I joined the board in 2024, I stepped into a very difficult situation — missing financial reporting, unaddressed tax obligations, and years of deferred maintenance.

What you’ve done has given us the opportunity to fix this properly and ensure it never happens again.

That includes rebuilding the organization with:
• A transparent and expanded Board
• A formal voting membership structure
• Regular financial reporting
• A music advisory group to help guide programming

All funds raised have been held in a separate account throughout this campaign and will now be used to stabilize and rebuild.

There is still a lot of work ahead, and we don’t yet have a firm reopening date. When we do, we’ll share it.

For now, what matters is this:

You didn’t just support these venues.

You saved them.

And now we do the work to build something stronger, more transparent, and sustainable for the future.

Thank you for standing up for music, for community, and for these spaces.

— Al Smith
Board Chair
Arts On View Society

[Victoria Watcher]

$453,216

[Victoria Watcher]

With more than $450,000 in hand, repairs at Hermann's set to begin

 

https://www.timescol...-begin-12206983

[Victoria Watcher]

$455,820.