A Tribute to a Home for Music

Rae. Photo by Christopher Rugowski.

When Butch’s Bar burned down Feb. 22, Sturgeon Bay lost more than a bar. Two people who lived in the apartments above the bar lost their lives, and seven others lost their homes. Many creatives lost a stage. 

Three weeks after the tragedy, 20 musicians came together at the Sturgeon Bay Fire Company with the help of Chris Bishop to raise more than $5,700 for those who had become displaced.

The event was a showcase of talent, keeping the tradition of the Wednesday-night jam sessions at Butch’s alive one last time. It was a living tribute to Butch’s Bar that included many bands and musicians who had played there over the years. As patron Cassey Bess summed up Butch’s, it was “a dive bar, but the best kind of dive bar. The kind of dive bar you want to play at.”

With guitars tuned, lights on, drinks in hand and a packed hall, the event started off with a poem from Door County Poet Laureate Mike Orlock and a moment of silence for the lives lost.

The night was divided into 15-minute sets from each act, maximizing the available time to showcase the music. At no point, though, did it feel rushed. It felt exactly appropriate. There was little downtime, and lots of love and energy the entire night. Considering it was a Wednesday, the crowd stuck around for the majority of the event, which ran until about 12:30 am – proof that this was more than just a show. This was a true benefit. 

When Bishop took the stage to play some Southern rock with his group, The Plum Dogs, happiness was written all over his and his bandmates’ faces.Although there is no longer a Butch’s Bar on 3rd Avenue in Sturgeon Bay, the memories of it as a Cheers kind of bar and a great music venue will not soon be forgotten.