The Blind Pig is a music venue in

Ann Arbor, Michigan Ann Arbor is a city in Washtenaw County, Michigan, United States, and its county seat. The 2020 United States census, 2020 census recorded its population to be 123,851, making it the List of municipalities in Michigan, fifth-most populous cit ...

. The club was established as a home for blues musicians, although today it books predominantly indie rock acts and local groups.

History

The Blind Pig opened in 1971. Tom Isaia and Jerry DelGiudice created it as a European-influenced cafe, complete with

espresso Espresso (, ) is a concentrated form of coffee produced by forcing hot water under high pressure through finely ground coffee beans. Originating in Italy, espresso has become one of the most popular coffee-brewing methods worldwide. It is cha ...

cappuccino Cappuccino (, ; from German ) is an espresso-based coffee drink traditionally prepared with steamed milk, including a layer of milk foam. Variations of the drink involve the use of cream instead of milk, using non-dairy milk substitutes ...

, a unique and varied food menu, including home made soups, Italian ''biscotti'', '' crostini'', a full wine and beer list, and top-notch blues entertainment. The partners renovated an old downtown Ann Arbor building and named the combined cafe/club after illegal after-hours gathering places, referred to by the

slang A slang is a vocabulary (words, phrases, and linguistic usages) of an informal register, common in everyday conversation but avoided in formal writing and speech. It also often refers to the language exclusively used by the members of pa ...

term 'blind pig', another name for a

speakeasy A speakeasy, also called a beer flat or blind pig or blind tiger, was an illicit establishment that sold alcoholic beverages. The term may also refer to a retro style bar that replicates aspects of historical speakeasies. In the United State ...

.Though a newspaper article refers to the use of the name as a term for a police officer who looks the other way at illegal alcohol sales. DelGiudice started the still-operating Blind Pig Records recording label in 1975 to showcase music by many of the groups who performed regularly at the club. Isaia and DelGiudice sold the venue in 1979 to Dave Whitmore, who in turn sold to Roy and Betty Goffett three years later. They doubled the club's space by renovating the rear portion of the building, opening the 8-Ball Saloon on the lower level and moving the stage to the more spacious main floor. The expansion made the venue more conducive to crowd-heavy rock shows and has hosted acts such as

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Bo Diddley Ellas Otha Bates (December 30, 1928 – June 2, 2008), known professionally as Bo Diddley, was an American guitarist and singer who played a key role in the transition from the blues to rock and roll. He influenced many artists, including Buddy ...

George Thorogood George Lawrence Thorogood (born February 24, 1950) is an American musician, singer and songwriter. His "high-energy boogie-blues" sound became a staple of 1980s US rock radio, with hits like his original songs "Bad to the Bone" and "I Drink Al ...

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, The Velvet Beat,

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, Jewel,

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, and

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. Since then, the Blind Pig has attracted a steady stream of up-and-coming acts, hosting shows almost every night all year round.

Trivia

* In 1989, a then little-known

performed a sold-out show at the Blind Pig, thanks in large part to

, who recommended the band during its sold-out performance a week prior. In a televised MTV interview years later, they cited the Blind Pig as their all-time favorite venue to play. A tribute to the band created by the Goffetts lines a wall by the entrance to the club. * The Blind Pig was cited as one of the primary reasons for Ann Arbor's listing as the #7 "Campus Scene That Rocks" in a 2003 RollingStone Magazine feature. * The Blind Pig appeared in a Biden for President commercial in October 2020 leading up to the November 2020 presidential election. The commercial cited President Donald Trump's lack of a COVID-19 response to assist music venues like The Blind Pig that have been shuttered since March 2020.The Detroit News. "Struggling Ann Arbor club owner in Biden ad: 'This is Donald Trump's economy'" Keyword: "Blind Pig" "Ann Arbor".

References

External links

Official siteBlind Pig Records
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Blind Pig (Venue) Music venues in Michigan Music of Ann Arbor, Michigan Rock music venues Music venues completed in 1971 1971 establishments in Michigan