There are less than a handful of venues I’d set foot in ’round Dallas anymore. However, the few I would are the few I’ll fight tooth and nail against assholes like Chris Jones. Lee Harvey’s has long been one of my favorite venues. From the time the owners/management welcomed us (myownself, Clay Pendergrass & Earl Darling) into their haven to webcast live in the very room pictured above, to the times I’ve sat outside listening to my favorite bands. Lee Harvey’s continues to provide its customers a much-needed refreshing place to hang.

Read Reid…

South Dallas favorite Lee Harvey’s is under attack for live music on Friday and Saturday, 8:30p-12a. Lee Harvey’s has hosted artists including; Theater Fire, Sorta, White Ghost Shivers, THe BAcksliders, Shanghai 5, PPT, DJ Sista Whitenoise, EZ Eddie D, MC 900 FT
Jesus, and many more.

Since photographer Seth Smith opened Lee Harvey’s five years ago, they’ve helped turn an industrial warehouse, and drug ridden area of Dallas, into a well lit, secure, and unique oasis.

A person by the name of Chris Jones and his wife recently moved into the Cedars District condo, about a block from Lee Harvey’s. They had been at Lee Harvey’s before moving to the area, and were aware of music, parking, and the well established business at the S. Dallas bar & grill.

After moving into into the Cedars condo a couple of months ago, The Joneses filed numerous noise complaints against Lee Harvey’s and other neighbors around the block. The Dallas Police recently sided with Lee Harvey’s on being well within the legal noise level, and Lee Harvey’s also monitors the sound with a noise db meter. They have installed soundproofing material over the stage, and taken other measures to accommodate the Joneses.

There has been an outpouring of support by neighbors, customers, musicians, and the majority of the Cedars District for Lee Harvey’s.

This is symptomatic of what’s wrong with Dallas on so many levels! Artists, musicians, photographers, etc. clean up, revitalize, and rebuild a neighborhood, keeping the character intact. But soon after, the McMansions/stucco-miniums are built, gentrification takes over, and the reason the neighborhood was unique, is no more.

The Joneses apparently contacted WFAA 8, who aired a story on the 6pm news, last Sunday. ‘Live music drives neighborhood clash’
http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/wfaa/latestnews/stories/wfaa070805_mo_leeharvey.69b1604.html

Note this quote from Mr. Jones. “I was aware that the bar was here before I moved here, but that is still inconsequential,” said resident Chris Jones. “[It] still doesn’t give the bar a right to invade my household.” The story also states, “Dallas code enforcement officers measured the noise in mid-July and determined Lee Harvey’s was not violating city standards.”

Chris Jones knew about music at Lee Harvey’s before moving into an outside condo facing the bar, and apparently has been coached by Lower Greenville’s “barking dog”, Avi S. Adelman.

Is Mr. Jones a tool for speculating real estate developers(not unheard of), or just a spoiler of a cherished neighborhood establishment?

“[It] still doesn’t give the bar a right to invade my household.” Um, look asshole, YOU moved into THEIR household. Like I said, I’ve spent many a night under the stars at Lee Harvey’s, once with the boy-child even, and I’ve never had to talk louder than inside-voice level to be heard.

I dunno what exactly any of us can do to help, but when I find out, I’ll do it and pass it on.

Shanghai 5 Live at Lee Harvey’s