Jarred Gild is cookin’ up somethin’ special at the Schvitz.
The creative director at the city’s historic 1930 bathhouse recently had an idea to host an event in the Schvitz’s rarely used second-floor ballroom.
And while the ballroom is in the midst of a major renovation under the direction of owner Paddy Lynch, Gild and longtime Schvitz regular J Rowe thought it would make a great space to screen an old rock doc — one that just happens to be Gild’s wife’s favorite movie.
In 1976, when guitarist Robbie Robertson and The Band decided to call it quits, filmmaker Martin Scorsese set out to document their farewell concert in San Francisco, which turned into what Rolling Stone called “the greatest concert movie of all time.”
After helping Bob Dylan go electric in 1965, The Band famously lit out on their own in 1968 with their debut album, Music From Big Pink. And after billing themselves as the Hawks for years, they performed their first gig as “The Band” at Bill Graham’s Winterland ballroom in San Francisco in 1969.
Seven years later, after touring practically nonstop, with historic festival gigs at Woodstock and Watkins Glen, The Band — along with a bunch of their friends and special guests — appeared onstage one last time, on Thanksgiving Day 1976.
Prior to the show that night, some 5,000 guests enjoyed a highly catered Thanksgiving dinner on the ballroom floor at Winterland. Then, joined by the likes of Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Ronnie Hawkins, and Dr. John, The Band put on a farewell show for the ages.
Such a night!
Featuring showstopping performances from the likes of Muddy Waters, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, and, of course, The Band, The Last Waltz stands as a timeless tribute to a bygone era of rock ’n’ roll.
So in tribute to the original concert and film, they’re not just planning to screen The Last Waltz Saturday night at the Schvitz. To help christen the ballroom’s newly constructed stage, J Rowe has also recruited a band of top-notch local musicians, including former Sights front man Eddie Baranek, to perform some of The Band’s best-known songs live.
The (Cover) Band:
Dave Shettler - drums/vocalsEddie Baranek - guitar/vocals
Pete Ballard - pedal steel
Ian Haubert - organ/Wurlitzer
Kyle Schanta - bass/vocals
Once he had the band on board, J Rowe thought, “Why not just make the entire building a living, breathing Last Waltz project for the day?”
Then Gild figured they might as well go all out and provide their guests with a proper meal Saturday night.
“It’s gonna be a really unique show,” he says. “It’s a rock ’n’ roll show at a bathhouse — and you get a turkey dinner!”
“The Band is a band beloved by people in bands,” Gild adds, “so I think we’ll have a very eclectic, interesting crowd Saturday night. There’s gonna be a lot of music heads, plus these old-school Schvitz guys.”
With his background in Detroit’s Gourmet Underground, Gild’s been in the food game a long time, and he does things to a certain taste.
So with regard to their pregame meal Saturday night, Gild says to expect nostalgic food.
“We’re going real traditional,” he says. “Turkey, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top.”
But instead of “fancy stuffing,” Gild says they’re going straight-up Stove Top — because of course they are.
Like the original 1976 event, Saturday night’s show at the Schvitz promises to be more than just a concert, J Rowe says. “It’s gonna be a celebration.”
The Last Waltz screens at The Schvitz Saturday, Nov. 23. Doors at 6 p.m. Film at 7 p.m. Concert at 9 p.m. The Schvitz is located at 8295 Oakland Ave., Detroit. For tickets, click here.
