A well loved cVillain birdie just dropped a very interesting piece of info into our mailboxes.  Apparently, rumor is that Mo Roman, the owner of Si Tapas & iS Venue, was recently convicted of sexual battery, and this may be a link in why the restaurants have closed so unexpectedly.

We have no confirmation that there was, in fact, a conviction, as the Court Database system does not currently show a record for the associated Circuit Court trial.

Being that it is only a misdemeanor, although a class 1 (which may carry up to a year of incarceration), it is hard to say if this would have impacted a business to the extent that it must close.  Perhaps a conviction could have carried the loss of a liquor license, and this may tie into the recent statements by Jeyon concerning the expiring licenses on premises.

Whatever the case may be, the search runs cold within the court databases, as the charge was supposedly ‘Appealed To Circuit Court 08/28/09′.  Check back as we continue to dig up information in the never ending SiiS debacle.

The bars and our commentary have been buzzing about the recent closure of iS Venue, as broken by Jeyon’s twitter account (and now moved to the Magnus Music site), and the subsequent notification that Si Tapas has shut it’s doors as well.  The music venue saddled with an always empty bar had taken the space over from previous dwellers Starr Hill, & Starr Hill Music, the duo which ran the show for 8 years.

There hasn’t been much public surprise regarding the closings, as Si had never quite captured the crowds attention, and iS had a lot of making up to do in order to keep the ball rolling for both businesses.  The Si food offerings certainly didn’t compare to our home grown tapas love child, Mas Tapas, even though they seem(ed) to have found solid footing in the Richmond area.  Interestingly enough, the businesses primary website for both locations, sitapas.com, is currently off line, which may mean the entire enterprise has called it quits.

Magnus Music, headed by Jeyon Falsini, had shows listed through November 21st on their site, isvenue.com, and we have received notification that at least the Basshound and Space Cadet 7 show has been moved to Rapture Restaurant on Friday, October 9, @ 9:00pm.  There is also rumor of other shows migrating to the freshly re-opened Southern location.

With so much local interest and talent, why is it exactly that so many venues have problems?  Satellite Ballroom, Gravity Lounge/The Southern, Starr Hill/Is Venue, TRAX.  Where is a good band to play nowadays?  [Photo Credits]

Music and more music, some unfortunately wet cats & dogs, and a play.  Toss in a few of the bottles from our recent wine review and you’ll probably have a fun filled weekend.

Friday:

The Southern - Opens its doors for the first time for The Books, a very interesting looking/sounding group from upstate Manhattan @ 8:00PM – $15 [Info]
Live Arts – Continues their performance of Glengarry Glen Ross daily, through Oct. 10th @ 8:ooPM – $14-$16 [Info]
Escafe’ Presents – DJ Esc, dance party and all the only place for solid house music in town @ 11PM – Free [Info]
iS Venue – Starts the weekend off right with The Leeroys & The (All New) Acorn Sisters @ 9:30PM – $7 [Info]
Bel Rio – Has the Charlottesville Blues All Stars this evening @ 9:30PM – $7 [Info]

Saturday:

Lee Park – Veggie Fest!  Looks like it may be in for a bit of a fresh water sprinkle, on the upside, there is no more ecological way to wash your veggies then the rain. @ 11:00AM-4:00PM – Free. [Info]
iS Venue – Plays host to Grey Matter, The Double Hi-Fives, & Rhythm Administration @ 8:00PM – $6 (adv)/$8 (door).  [Info]
Bel Rio – Books Trees On Fire in one of their last performances of the season @ 9:00PM – $5.  [Info]
The Pavilion – Brings Grammy winner & country music star Lucinda Williams to Charlottesville for an evening @ 7:00PM – $33.50-$43.50  [Info]

Sunday:

iS Venue - Completes the weekend set with Black Diamond Heavies, Corsair, & Channel 43 @ 7:30PM – $7.  [Info]
Bel Rio – Goes to the gypsies with Olivarez Trio @ 6:30PM – Free  [Info]

Did we miss anything major?  Any corrections/substitutions/refunds?  [Photo Credits]

Friday’s after five is dead for anther year, temps are slowly dropping (ick).  Time to break out the single malt I’m thinking.  But there are always some indoor options out there, right?  Something to keep the blood flowing?  Laughing?

Friday:

Rev Soup (DT Mall) – Comedian Doug Powell, a DC comic will be playing his second show tonight @ 8:30PM – $5 [Info]
Paramount Theater – John Denver Tribute.  I listed it.  Say something. @ 8PM – $30-$41 [Info]
Escafe’ Presents – DJ Esc, dance party and all the only place for solid house music in town @ 11PM – Free [Info]
Live Arts – Glengarry Glen Ross is kicking off it’s 3 week run of the ABCs (sold out until the 23rd) @ 8:00PM – $14-$16 [Info]
The Southern – James McMurtry with Johny Burke (moved to Fry’s Spring) @ 8:00PM – $Tickets? [Info]
Veritas Vineyards – Little Freddie King & The Chickenhead Blues Band, enjoy Cajun food (for purchase) with your rhythm and blues. @ 7-11:00PM – $15 [Info] »Read More