R.I.P. Dinkytowner

by Crystal Erickson

The Dinkytowner Café closed its doors (check out City Pages for the full story <http://blogs.citypages.com/gimmenoise/2009/05/the_dinkytowner_1.php>). The final show was Saturday, May 30, and featured Unicus, Kanser, More Than Lights, The Poetz, 90 Sevan and host Big Trey. 

The closing strikes a blow to local hip-hop, with the Dinkytowner being the spot for Last of the Record Buyers and the Hookup (LOTRB has relocated to Fifth Element). I recently asked emcees who rocked the Dinkytowner’s mic to reminisce. 

Fik

I like the feel of the Dinkytowner, it’s my kind of spot. It’s basically the coolest basement party you ever been to, with pool tables, cheap drinks, hip-hop. It’s got a payphone with tags all over it. People build clubs in NYC to give it that grungy feel. Dinkytowner didn’t have to do that. It wasn’t a hole in the wall, but a hole in the ground. You can come down and see a good show. You’re amongst friends. Of all the spots on campus, it’s the only one I’d go to still. I’m never going to the Library again, Burrito Loco is cool to get a quesadilla and margarita. The Kittycat Klub is good if you wanna sit on a couch and listen to jazz. Wanna see frat boys and underagers, go to the Library. Go to the Dinkytowner if you wanna listen to DJs and play pool. The fries and late night menu—now that’s what’s up. It wasn’t pretentious, but how pretentious can you get cooking food in a basement? You could be in a booth and watch the show without people in the way. Loved the pipes, even though I almost hit my head all the time. It was the hip-hop spot on campus.

Knonam

I felt like it was hip-hop in its friendliest form when I was there. I always ran into other rappers that were just there to hang out and talk about music. And you could always catch Ant in the corner smoking a cigarette.
My favorite moment was when I grew a beard, wore sunglasses and a hood to a show I was performing at there. Nobody recognized me, so when I got on stage I said, "Knonam couldn't make it to night, but I'm here to take his place. My name is Ted Cazinski." (the Unibomber). And people still didn't know it was me until I started rapping. I thought it was funny ‘cuz when I got off stage, people were like " I didn't even know that was you at first" 

Kanser

Too many good memories to count at the Dinky. I first recall it becoming a local hang out when Minneapolis moved the bar close time to 2am, the Loring pasta bar down the block was having a weekly Monday night Hip-hop dance night also home of the Loring Pasta bar MC battles. But the Pasta bar still closed at 1am. So from 1am-2am the Dinkytowner would be cracking!!! Good times.

Desdamona

I've always loved playing for a full house at the Dinky. The audience is so close and you can totally feed off the crowd. Makes for a better show. I also like that they would give people a chance even if they were unknown.

Carnage

I always liked the fact that whether you were "big" or a "newbie" on the scene, you were still respected if you did a show at the Dinkytowner. It was the place where you didn’t have to jump through huge hoops to get a show at. They were willing to work with you whoever you were. Sometimes the sound was great, other times, you thought you wanted to throw an object at the soundman from the stage! But it was ALWAYS A GOOD TIME! Lots of CD release parties there...Battles...Good food...All kinds of fond memories. I wish they could have gone out with a bang: that could have happen if the talk that it was closing was not combated with denial from the owners, and an honest, "Yeah, we are closing our doors, come rock it out ‘til the end with us!", would have made the place go down positively. From Bon Ap (Headspin) to Loring Pasta Bar (Battle nights) and now the Dinkytowner...RIP.
 
DJ Nikoless (Kevin Beacham)

First off, I've personally done more shows at Dinkytowner than any other place in town. The Dinkytowner was a unique venue in many respects. With it gone it will be harder to find 18+ Hip-hop events, which I feel are critical to have. Dinkytowner was great for small indie touring acts to have a spot to play at and I feel some of that will get lost. Plus the staff and management was always super cool and flexible. The spot will definitely be missed...

Cheap Cologne

My best memory there was my release party for Something Random... (Oct 2005??) the place was PACKED nuts to butts, they ended up having to turn people away because it was over crowded.
Carnage, Kanser, Out Of Bounds, Unknown Prophets, Mazta I Truth Maze and more all made appearances during my set... GOOD TIMES.

Toki Wright

My biggest memories are cracking my head on the pipe that ran across the stage while performing.  Seeing your own blood can have a strange effect on your show.

Big Jess (of Unknown Prophets)

The Dinkytowner is the only place I repeatedly hit my head on a pipe while on stage. Worst thing about that is that I knew that pipe was there. Just couldn't get out of its way!

Maria Isa

I can go on and on about the unforgettable memories at the Dinkytowner. I celebrated my 18th birthday there doing a show with my first Hip-Hop crew Many Styles, met up with Tony Touch, Biz Markie and many more national and local artist. It has been a classroom and a playground for the Twin Cities Hip-Hop scene....a family and I am truly going to miss hitting my head on that speaker right above the stage entrance (laughs). I must have done that a thousand times. It hurts to know I will no longer be able to catch up with friends, meet new fans, and experience a late night Rafael sandwich :) Thank you Dinkytowner for helping me grow as an artist and being the best place for a hip-hop artist and Twin Citian to play. I will miss you dearly and the walls in that room have captured so much history in what makes Dinkytown-Dinkytown...sorry to see it close up.