Lisbon’s Arroz Estúdios is hitting a bit of a snag. This arts space and club, which has been the unofficial meeting-spot for the city’s creative minds, finds itself staring down the bulldozer of redevelopment. Earlier this week, the venue waved a red flag on its website, saying, “Hey, we’re being nudged out; a little help?”
The situation is straightforward: eviction is knocking on the door and Arroz Estúdios doesn’t have a backup plan. They’re basically sending an SOS to the big guns of the city to help them land a permanent spot to continue their existence.
And guess what? Arroz Estúdios isn’t alone. It seems like a bunch of other locations in Lisbon are getting the boot, being pushed out of their sports or even out of the city center. The artistic scene in Lisbon is shifting, but with actual venues, and it’s not a game anyone seems to be winning.
Now, in a bold move, Arroz Estúdios is stirring the pot. They’ve got a petition rolling to nudge Lisbon’s city council, reminding them of a past promise of a permanent home. Meanwhile, they are also collecting donations to keep the lights on and the music blasting.
Since popping up on the scene in 2018, Arroz Estúdios has been the cool kid on the block, hosting a whole bunch of artists and labels. Names like A Guy Called Gerald, Bambounou, and DJ Danifox have made the walls of Arroz shake with their beats. The place has history, it has groove, and it surely has a loyal crowd who wants the party to keep rolling.
This whole situation puts a spotlight on the classic face-off: the cool, artsy vibes versus the big, marching boots of development. As Arroz Estúdios scrambles to keep the rhythm alive against the rumble of bulldozers, the tale of Lisbon’s underdog art hub unfolds. Will the city’s makeover give a change to its local creative spots or is the end of the road near? The beat goes on, at least for now.
Find the petition here.
