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Music

Los Angeles DIY Venue Non Plus Ultra Shut Down by City Officials

This is just the latest venue to be shut down following the Ghost Ship fire in December.
Screenshot of Shit Giver performing at Non Plus Ultra on November 4, 2016 courtesy of Daniel Kirby/YouTube

Los Angeles DIY venue Non Plus Ultra can no longer host live music events after being shut down mid-show last Thursday, March 2. An official from the city's Department of Building and Safety notified the space's owners of the decision during a concert headlined by the garage rock group Thee Oh Sees, before they were even able to take the stage, reports the LA Weekly.

The city inspector told the nonprofit space's proprietors that they didn't have the correct permits required to host live shows. He also that the they would be given criminal charges if it proceeded with the show that night, or threw any more live events in the future.

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There were reportedly about 350 patrons at this particular show. According to eyewitnesses interviewed by the LA Weekly, the crowd was "calm" despite its size.

Although Non Plus Ultra will no longer be hosting live concerts, the space said in a statement that it would continue to operate as filming location, recording studio, and workspace. They also said they are currently looking for new, bigger spaces to throw live music events.

"DIY venues exist to provide safe, community-minded places to share art and experiences with each other," they said in a statement. "Our success has only been possible through all of the artists who ventured through and helped us grow—every single one of you inspiring, sweating, crying, bleeding, and constantly killing. And to all our donating, cheering, peace-keeping, speaker saving, mosh barrier, parking-patient, hold-your-pee partiers who we've had as guests here: we are eternally grateful for all the support. Without you it's just an empty warehouse."

This DIY venue's closure is just the latest to have occurred in the wake of Oakland's deadly Ghost Ship fire. In Los Angeles, Purple 33 was shut down in December after city inspectors found multiple building violations. Since the Oakland fire, the city's DIY scene has tried to come together to make a sustainable plan for the future.

In other parts of the country, more venues have also been shut down in recent months. THUMP is currently keeping track of such closures with a real-time map; readers can submit anonymous tips via this form.

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