Opened 1971 | Capacity 400 | |
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Location 208 S. First Street Ann Arbor, MI Similar The Ark, Michigan Theater, Hill Auditorium, University of Michigan Museum, Saint Andrew's Hall - Detr | ||
The Blind Pig is a music venue in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In one popular definition, the name comes from a slang term used to refer to police officers who had been bribed to ignore illegal speakeasy establishments in the days of prohibition.
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The club was established as a home for blues musicians, although today it books predominantly 'indie' rock acts and local groups.
History
The Blind Pig opened in 1971. Tom Isaia and Jerry DelGiudice created it as a European-influenced cafe, complete with espresso/cappuccino, a unique and varied food menu, including home made soups, Italian biscotti, crostini, a full wine and beer list, and top-notch Blues entertainment. The partners renovated an old downtown Ann Arbor building and named the fusioned cafe/club after the illegal after-hours gathering place the Detroit Police had raided a few years earlier, touching off the 1967 Detroit riot. DelGiudice started the still-operating Blind Pig Records recording label in 1975 to showcase music by many of the groups who performed regularly at the club.
Isaia and DelGiudice sold the venue in 1979 to Dave Whitmore, who in turn sold to Roy and Betty Goffett three years later. They doubled the club's space by renovating the rear portion of the building, opening the 8-Ball Saloon on the lower level and moving the stage to the more spacious main floor. The expansion made the venue more conducive to crowd-heavy rock shows and has hosted acts such as Joan Baez, Bo Diddley, George Thorogood, R.E.M., 10,000 Maniacs, Sonic Youth, Soul Asylum, Soundgarden, The Smashing Pumpkins, Pearl Jam and Nirvana.
Since then, the Blind Pig has attracted a steady stream of up-and-coming acts, hosting shows almost every night all year round.