“A little bit of paint and a whole lot of antiseptic” — that’s what Omar Afra plans to bring to the new Fitzgerald’s.
There are other changes, of course. Co-proprietors Afra (managing editor of Free Press Houston) and Jagi Katial (of Pegstar Concerts) plan to give the local music scene a shot in the arm — and a kick in the pants.
Afra talked to me about his plans for Fitz, including some things he plans to do away with:
When was the new deal finalized?
Why was this something you felt you wanted to undertake (alongside so many other things on your current to-do list)?
Besides wanting to honor the fabled tradition of Fitz, Jagi and I decided it was high time for a good, medium-size venue — right about the time we turned away 200 people to the Local Natives show (at Mango’s in April). We want to do bigger, better things and reinvigorate the local scene.
Omar Afra plans to shake things up.
Can you go into a few of the changes you’ll be making once it reopens?
Booking will completely change. Bigger, better, cutting-edge acts alongside great locals is the focus. Sound system will change.
What about some of the “aesthetic changes?”
The aesthetic changes are very similar to putting lipstick on a pig. A little bit of paint and a whole lot of antiseptic.
Give me something, anything on the “grand reopening” event. Something juicy.
Grand opening will be free. That is all I can say.
Is there anything Fitz has done in the past that you definitely will NOT be doing?
No more pay for play. No more bands that end with ‘osis’.
Ideally, what would you like to see the new Fitz become?
I envision Fitz being a cornerstone of the music scene that not only showcases great national and local music but pushes locals to aspire to bigger things.