The Wetlands Preserve was one those places in New York that club-goers would experience at least one of the best nights of their life in. Even if they went just once. Others would return week after week to see acts that would go on to be the most important of their genre. From jam bands to hiphop acts to hardcore shows, the club’s socially conscious eco-activism brought this eclectic mix of music and fans together. After opening in 1989 in lonely Tribeca, the club went on an impressive run and ultimately closed in September 2001. It has since become luxury condos that Mike Piazza called home (and may still). I suppose at this point we’ve all seen that movie….

Classic pics, a movie trailer and more after the jump.

Here’s one of their old show flyers that you may have seen seen in the Village Voice every week as you sifted through the show listings. The Voice wasn’t even free back then…

Now if all this nostalgia is making you remember the good old days or wishing you were just able to experience it all, then you’re in luck. A documentary on the club’s run has been put together by Dean Budnick and Jonathan Healey. Read all about it, view some fantastic old photos and a bunch more at the film’s web site, wetlandspreserved.com. There is a great story at Brooklyn Vegan as well.

Watch the trailer:

The documentary is premiering at Cinema Village in New York on March 14th, and at Laemmle’s Grande in Los Angeles on March 28th.

From the scene outside the club the day (and day after) Jerry passed away, to the beautiful wildlife mural behind the stage, the Wetlands was a special place for everyone who lined up against the wall, up the ramp and walked in that door every night. Here’s another source of nostalgia if you’re still craving it after all this.

This entry was posted on Sunday, March 2nd, 2008 at 8:58 pm and is filed under Film, Wetlands. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.