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‘The rCaledonia (ounge 'Celebrates H T love doing this, and I hope I can continue to do this for a X long time," says Karen Sweeney, Athens scenester and co- owner of the Caledonia Lounge. "It feels good at the end of the day to know that you're working for yourself," adds busy business partner Kaya Yamashita. "Even though it's difficult and time-consuming, at the end of the day it's worth it." This week marks the first anniversary of the opening of the burgeoning music venue on West Clayton Street, and the place should be hoppin' like mad with a half dozen of the strongest local rock bands on the calendar, including The Glands, The Tom Collins, National Anthem, Jackpot City and The Possibilities. It's been a successful year with its share of bumps and hardships, typ ical of any local music club (burglaries, alcohol licensing night mares, equipment breakdowns, music business bullshit), but the club has emerged as one of the vital live-music clubs in Athens. "This was something we had talked about doing for a long time, something we both knew we could do," says Yamashita, who relocated to Athens from Atlanta in 1991. "When the opportunity presented itself, we jumped on it." "One of the most difficult things I've found about running a club is dealing with booking agents," states Sweeney, who moved to Athens in 1989 to attend UGA. "I think a lot of the big ones didn't believe that we were a real rock club, and I still think some of them won't take us seriously." Both clubowners are extremely serious about success. Neither is at all hung up on profit margins and quick schemes. Rather, both are focused on running a legitimate, unpretentious music club propelled by good sound, an adventurous calendar and decent people. Sweeney and Yamashita became heavily involved in the bar and music scene by the mia-'90s through working at The Grill, The Atomic Music Hall, The Manhattan Cafe and Jittery Joe's. Joey Tatum, proprietor of The Manhattan Cafe, purchased the Caledonia building in spring 1999, and with the help of local carpenter Chris Purcell began renovating it. The 40 Watt Club resided at that location from late 1986 until 1989. Just like today, patrons entered behind the building off of the Pulaski Street parking lot through the "beer garden." "Older clubgoers constantly make mention of the ol' days when this used to be the 40 Watt," laughs Sweeney. "It drives me nuts sometimes." "There have been more ups than downs," says Yamashita. "But I understand a lot more about the indie music scene than I ever did before, and I always get excited about seeing different bands—especially local bands we know well; there's something familial about it that's more relaxed and less stressful." Although neither Sweeney nor Yamashita will admit they've established a vital venue among the dozen medium- and small sized clubs in the local scene, both are quick to boast about the solid camaraderie among music-related businesses in Athens—an unusual phenomenon for any competitive music scene. "I don't think people in Athens realize how much all the clubs talk to each other," says Sweeney. 'For instance, if we had a great band, we would tell Tasty World or the 40 Watt or other clubs, and they'd do the same in return. We all kind of feed off each other that way." Ballard Lesemann This is the first of a series profiling local clubs. WHAT; Caledonia Lounge's Birthday WHERE; Caledonia Lounge WHEN: August 10-12 HOW MUCH: Call > A 2041 W. Broad Street • 353-1218 i * The largest selection in Athens with over 30 styles of frames and 1,000s of fabric choices. Lifetime warranties on all futons. For Home, Apartment & Dorm. We Sell Futons AND Value! “We caught ’em hook, line and sinka.” Try Our Daily Fresh Catch Specials. DIPALMA'S ITALIAN CAFE Come Try Our Neu' Menu. Lasagna • Scampi • Manicotti • Ravioli • Scallopini Fresh Catch • Daily Specials * Homemade Desserts DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE 401 EAST BROAD ST. 1965 BARNETT SHOALS RD. 554-6966 369-0085 ^Ealing arts centra SANQHA~~" Yoga Studio REMEDY An Herbal Pharmacy Network Chiropractic Athens Yoga Therapeutics Unity Church Whole Life Bodywork Sj^tprinccAvcmu • (706) 61 yi 142 AUGUST 9, 2000 FLAGPOLE EB