Wetlands Preserved: The Story of an Activist Nightclub (2008) User Reviews

Wetlands Rocks On

[lesjesse · 10/10 · 12 October 2008]

Wow. This film captured a beautiful time in Tribeca, when it was still a place normal New Yorkers could listen to music, network for environmental causes and experience a positive community. As John Popper says in the film: these scenes rise up, have their place in the sun (in the case of Wetlands, their place off the Hudson) and then disappear--that's a historical phenomenon. BUT watching this made me fantasize about at least one more night chillin in the downstairs lounge, listening to the Roots or Ben Harper, dancing and learning about different causes. Mad props to the creators and staff of this fantastic joint. That's what New York used to be about--creating small, vibrant communities which catalyzed global social, political and artistic change. NOT shopping and building condos, the gloomy legacy of Giuliani. If any of you youngsters out these are demoralized by the vapidity of today's corporate-created "culture": watch this film, get schooled and use the club as a model to create fun and conscious community. To those who danced and drank and connected at Wetlands: rock on.

Excellent Documentary

[aberdaberd · 10/10 · 22 July 2008]

This was an amazing film. I am a big fan of the Spin Doctors and have read about how they always played at the Wetlands. I would have liked to get a chance to go to The Wetlands, but I was just a baby when it opened and operated. It was fascinating to learn more about the club. Bands playing until 4 in the morning is just insane! It is a shame that this historic club and activism center was turned into condominiums. As Hootie and the Blowfish said: Doesn't New York have enough apartments?! Not only did Dean Budnick manage to gather footage and pictures from performances at Wetlands, he even got interviews with almost every single band that played there. I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Try and see it if you haven't already. And if you ever went to the Wetlands, it may bring back some great memories for you.

peace.

:)