A benefit concert to raise funds for the families of those killed during a shooting at DAMAGEPLAN’s gig in December is to take place at the scene of the tragedy (January 14).
The Alrosa Villa club in Columbus, Ohio will be reopening its doors for the first time since the incident.
As previously reported on NME.COM, former marine Nathan Gale opened fire onstage at Damageplan’s show on December 8, killing guitarist ’Dimebag’ Darrell Abbott and three others.
However, the owner of the venue, Rick Cautela, has said that it may be the last time the Alrosa Villa hosts a gig.
In a statement which aired on Columbus radio station WBZX, he said: “We know it’s not right to open the Alrosa without having a benefit first. I’m not sure what’s going to happen for the future … one minute I think the Alrosa has a future, the next minute I don’t feel comfortable about it. I’m just not OK with opening back up.”
He continued: “I have a lot of employees that I’m thinking about right now. .. they don’t have a pay cheque coming. They would like for me to open, to do benefits, to have other kinds of shows there. They don’t want to quit, they love working there, and they’ve been there for me.”