A Cleveland music institution for 30 years, the Barking Spider abruptly closed on Sunday September 18. Run for nearly 25 years by the beloved Martin Juredine, who died in 2011, the cozy, tucked-away coachhouse club on the Case Western Reserve campus was taken over by his daughter Jenna following his passing.
She continued the venue’s policy of booking music 364 days a year, usually with two or three acts a night, and providing an informal music space that was conducive to jamming and collaborations. With its nonexistent stage — musicians set up on the floor in front of the casual array of tables — and its no-cover policy of passing the hat for the musicians, it was one of the most laid-back and interactive clubs in town.
Its slots — booked up to six months in advance, but usually with room to squeeze in a last-minute touring performer — were filled predominantly by singer-songwriters and bands that favored American roots music — traditional folk, blues, bluegrass, old-time string band music, jazz and any combination of those. At times it also hosted poetry readings, book signings, workshops and other special events.
Bands were formed there, albums were recorded there and their releases celebrated there. Its atmosphere was unlike any other venue in town. Although it served no food or hard liquor, it was a homey hangout for musicians and music-lovers as well as students who often studied on its two patios.
Jenna Juredine recently married local musician Brent Kirby and she’s now pregnant, something that doesn’t mesh easily with the grueling job of running an open-every-night venue. She and owner Bruce Madorsky, who originally started the club with Martin, decided it was time to close. Mourning fans are suggesting “someone” should step in and continue the Juredine tradition, but it would take a dedicated person to do so — running a venue fulltime isn’t like hosting a couple of open mic nights a week.
Jenna announced the closing on Thursday September 15, a mere three days before its final day. And on Sunday, musicians flocked to the venue for one last big, all-day, all-evening jam session.
2 Responses to “After 30 Years, the Barking Spider Tavern Closes Its Doors”
TerryM
It was a great sendoff – thanks for all the great years of music & fun. There is now a huge hole in the small venue music scene in CLE; the Spider was always one of my very favorite spots in the city. Best of luck to Jenna & her family, and secretly hoping that someday, the Spider will come back to life.
Peanuts
I’m still numb over this happening.
Hell, I’ve been going to the venue since 1975, when it was the Olive Tree & Marty Rosenblum had it (last I heard, Marty was in charge of food services at the Q; He would be worth tracking down for an interview).