Voltaire was standing in the center of the Muse, watching a system of chaotically diligent people run around tacking things to walls, mopping, stocking the bar and setting up audio.  It was two hours before The Muse’s Grand Opening and it felt as though nothing was finished. We were surprised he stayed and performed anyway.

As the doors opened, DJ Disdain played the first song to fill the those blue walls, ‘Summoning of the Muse – Dead Can Dance’.  A perfect selection as our inaugural statement of work and what we hoped to achieve.

The opening night was not magical, but it was amazing.  It was the start of nine months creating dance, imagination and an escape for any who would walk through our massive church doors.

That was the goal , those lofty notions we would talk about while sawing through FRP, building walls or degreasing the worst kitchen any of us had ever seen. “This is going to be different, a real place for people in Vegas – No calloused security monkeys at the door – no high drink prices with belligerent bartenders.  A place where people can dress how they wish and be themselves outside a very plastic city.”

Damned if that is not what we created.

Relationships were formed and destroyed there.  Peoples'  greatest achievements and failures were acknowledged close to the ones they loved.  So many people held their important events around the schedules of The Muse's nights.  Open for every major holiday, it was a family home for those who had no family in Las Vegas.

Chess became a spectator sport, 'The Muse' drink had to have a limit of two, people closed the church doors behind them upon entering, at the end of the night the bell would ring and the crowd would call out 'Goodnight -insert random city name here-'. Every Friday at 1:30 am the entire club knew it was Factory 'club song' and filled the floor - It was home.

Although good, it was also work.  The crew members who did receive pay, made peanuts.   Most held down other day jobs while working up to four nights a week in our blue box, sometimes until 6am.  They endured little pay, hardships and sparse sleep - for the love of the home of the wayward, for love of The Muse.

Below is a list of the nights at The Muse. Click on any of them to get a basic feel of each one.

FACTORY		CLOISTER
SIREN SONG		ART PERRY TRIO

Dj Spidersilk stood for the last time in the DJ booth we had made. Most of the components were missing, the lights removed from the stage. Longingly she played 'Pure Imagination - Willy Wonka Soundtrack' as the last of the gear was removed. We painted over the black wings that were in each corner of the space.  The crew and friends of The Muse vowed to chase their own muses wherever they may have fled to.  Tears, laughter and memories - it was bittersweet to see that chapter in our lives go.

Perhaps it will happen again one day – we look forward to any home, whether we build it or not, for the parched souls inhabiting Las Vegas.

Photos Provided by: Derek Marsh - check out his work at Get Back the Love Photography
Flier Images by: Sarah Ross and Bataluer Productions

We have collected a mass of pictures of the Muse - YOU CAN SEE THEM HERE

THE MUSE CHRONICLE

The Muse

Building The Muse

Press and Patron Testomonials

Factory

Cloister

Siren Song

Jazz Sundays

SLAVE OF THE MUSE CREW

JP Dostal Jr. -

Owner, Lease/License Holder, Owner of Davinci's Pasta, Lounge facilitator and purchasing

Aaron Bataluer -

Facilitator, Lead Promoter, Crew Supervisor, Scheduling, Lead Audio/Lighting, Maintenance

Sarah Ross -

2nd Facilitator, Lead Promoter, Purchasing for The Muse, Crew Supervisor

Tonya Ross -

Financial Officer, 2nd Crew Supervisor, Administration

Amanda Lane -

Head Bartnder, Factory Promoter, Purchasing, DJ

Scud -

Lead Host, Promoter for Factory, 3rd Crew Supervisor, Maintenance

Craig Titus -

2nd Bartender, Sr. Host (Factory), Host

Isaac Thummel -

Sr. Host

James Bruce -

Lead Audio/Lighting (May - August 2010)

Riki Donnelly -

Lead Door

Barb Smith -

Lead Lounge

Anthony Jones -

Host, Audio, Maintenance

Jason Oquist -

Audio, Bartender

Bethany Titus -

Door

Yevette Shinn -

Lounge

Lee Buckley -

Lounge