For Immediate Release: March 4, 2019
JAZZ ON VIEW SOCIETY SIGNS 5-YEAR OFFER TO LEASE & OPERATE HERMANN’S
The Jazz on View Society is pleased to announce it has reached a signed offer to lease and operate Hermann’s
Jazz Club for the next five years, contingent on raising $75,000 for improvements and a deposit on the lease.
The lease of the ground floor at 753 View Street will be effective May 1, 2019, ending April 30, 2024.
As well as Hermann’s Jazz Club, the lease includes the neighbouring View Street Social Club. At the time of
expiry there is an option to renew the lease for a further five years.
The lease is subject to Jazz on View Society raising $75,000 by April 15 for improvements and a
commercial lease deposit. Donations can be sent to 1119 Princess Avenue, Victoria BC, V8T 1L2, or
issue a charitable tax receipt.
“This in an important step in implementing the Society’s vision to preserve Hermann’s Jazz Club,
carrying forward Hermann’s amazing legacy, and to create a community-based centre, “Arts on View”, for the
performing arts in Victoria,” said Bill Turner, chairman of the Jazz on View Society.
Stephan Nieweler, co-owner of Hermann’s Jazz Club, said: “In honour of Hermann’s legacy, we are
pleased that this institution will be carried forward to provide opportunities for music lovers, young and old, to
interact and share their passion while acting as an incubator for new talent.”
“We believe in the leadership of this group [Jazz on View] to build on the legacy as we enter an
exciting new chapter for live music in the capital,” Nieweler added.
The son of the late Hermann Nieweler, Stephan Nieweler co-owns Hermann’s along with his two
siblings. Hermann’s Jazz Club was founded in 1981 by Hermann Nieweler, who passed on in 2015.
“A lot of work has gone into getting us this far, but there is much to do. Now the real work begins as
we have just six weeks to raise the $75,000 necessary to make the change over possible,” Turner said.
Hermann’s Jazz Club is the longest continuously-running jazz club in Canada. It was recently chosen as the
city’s best nightclub in the Victoria Times Colonist Readers’ Choice Awards. Three other venues are upstairs.
The Jazz on View Society is a Victoria-based registered, non-profit society formed with the goal of keeping
Hermann’s Jazz Club running.
The Society recently expanded its board of directors. These new directors bring business planning,
administration, fundraising, marketing and artistic skills and experience to the table. The Society is dedicated
to not only saving Hermann’s Jazz Club, but expanding the vision to ultimately create a new performing arts
centre in Victoria: Arts on View. For more information, see jazzonview.com.
Edited by Victoria Watcher, 05 March 2019 - 06:54 AM.