Hello. I’m Dan Porter.
I’m named after the Cardiff bar Porter’s, which I’m led to believe holds a special place in the hearts of at least a handful of people.
Now then, some of you know that Porter’s is faced with a bit of a problem. And that problem comes in the shape of the end of our 10 year lease, demolition and a high rise accommodation block. We’re being bulldozed. October. Yay!
It would be easy to see this as a disappointment, or be angry about it, and to some it would perhaps feel like an insurmountable obstacle. But to us, it feels like an opportunity- an opportunity to evolve who we are, what we do and have always done, what we stand for, and what we can contribute from a new home.
A lot of you have been asking about our plans, or if there have been any developments, and apologies if we’ve been a little cagey.
*TRUMPETS*
We have found a building. Repeat, we have found a building.
And the building is an exciting prospect (as long as we can get a licence for it)!
The vision for Porter’s was always multifaceted and ambitious, and we want to continue to look like, sound like, and be the Porter’s we always have…but better. Much, much better.
At Porter’s 2.0, we still want to put on gigs, and singalongs, and bandaokes, and open mics, and other such things, like we do now.
We want to continue to be able to support and promote talent as you pass through on your way to bigger things, as we have since day one (and as many have).
We want to keep our steadfast policy of free entry at all times to all of our events.
We want people to continue to come and relax, or meet friends, or have a dance.
We want to continue to provide everyone with a safe and respectful environment, where they can feel comfortable and themselves.
We want to continue to put on shows in our onsite theatre, which in Porter’s 2.0 will be a bit bigger. Beyond that we want to offer out rehearsal and performance space for free, and put on even more events in a THIRD space that the new building has. We want to be open and alive night and day.
Our aim is to be a part of the promotion and preservation of the identity of Cardiff as a centre of culture, creativity, talent, innovation, good behaviour, and good times; to help make Cardiff a benchmark for other cities. We want Porter’s 2.0 to represent everything that we feel a 21st Century building and business, especially in a capital city, should be. We want to do you proud.
But we’re going to need your help. We really do appreciate it’s probably not the best time to ask, especially with everything that is going on and with everything that has been going on, but we are going to ask you, as we never have, to help.
This is how you can help:
If you like and believe in us and you want us to continue, if you recognise the value and values I think we bring, please, if you can, make a donation.
Think maybe in these terms- of a donation that equates to the value of one quarter, or half pint, or one whole pint of beer a week for a year, so that in a year's time you'll be making up for all of those lost pints in the new and improved Porter's (2.0), whilst listening to some great music with friends.
We’re going to ask for quite a bit because this vision is quite expensive. It’s going to be expensive because there are some features and systems, which we won’t talk about just yet, that we think are really important for a responsible and progressive business to have (And because we made the mistake of never charging for our events!!). Don’t worry, we’re going to stay free entry.
Don’t worry, we’re going to stay Porter’s.
Well, maybe worry a little bit.
But, whatever happens, whichever way this goes, Thank you. Thank you for everything.
Dan
'And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make'