03082019 - Bloomington, Indiana, USA: The Rhino's All Ages club building is due to be torn down to make way for a new four-story, 154 bedroom development (more apartments), Friday, March 8, 2019 in Bloomington, Ind. The club was a venue for countless bands that wouldn't have never played shows in Bloomington otherwise, and provided a safe space for under 18 youth in the community. Bands such as No Age, Against Me!, Agent Orange, and many others with international followings and deep roots in the punk rock and indie rock traditions and communities played there over the years. The tearing down of the building is one in a series that have changed the social landscape of Bloomington. Other businesses that have closed or been affected by changes include Ladyman's, The Chocolate Moose, Spaceport, Box Car Books, and Rachael's Cafe, along with others. The Chocolate Moose was able to reopen in a new space in the real estate development at its former site, however the fate of Rhino's seems unclear. Recently Players Pub also closed after the proprietor had a dispute with the landlord, and all the items in the venue were sold at auction. Blues musicians from Chicago to Mississippi knew of the Players Pub, and many national acts played music at the venue since Indiana is the crossroads of America. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan)
03082019 - Bloomington, Indiana, USA: The Rhino's All Ages club building is due to be torn down to make way for a new four-story, 154 bedroom development (more apartments), Friday, March 8, 2019 in Bloomington, Ind. The club was a venue for countless bands that wouldn't have never played shows in Bloomington otherwise, and provided a safe space for under 18 youth in the community. Bands such as No Age, Against Me!, Agent Orange, and many others with international followings and deep roots in the punk rock and indie rock traditions and communities played there over the years. The tearing down of the building is one in a series that have changed the social landscape of Bloomington. Other businesses that have closed or been affected by changes include Ladyman's, The Chocolate Moose, Spaceport, Box Car Books, and Rachael's Cafe, along with others. The Chocolate Moose was able to reopen in a new space in the real estate development at its former site, however the fate of Rhino's seems unclear. Recently Players Pub also closed after the proprietor had a dispute with the landlord, and all the items in the venue were sold at auction. Blues musicians from Chicago to Mississippi knew of the Players Pub, and many national acts played music at the venue since Indiana is the crossroads of America. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan)
03082019 - Bloomington, Indiana, USA: The Rhino's All Ages club building is due to be torn down to make way for a new four-story, 154 bedroom development (more apartments), Friday, March 8, 2019 in Bloomington, Ind. The club was a venue for countless bands that wouldn't have never played shows in Bloomington otherwise, and provided a safe space for under 18 youth in the community. Bands such as No Age, Against Me!, Agent Orange, and many others with international followings and deep roots in the punk rock and indie rock traditions and communities played there over the years. The tearing down of the building is one in a series that have changed the social landscape of Bloomington. Other businesses that have closed or been affected by changes include Ladyman's, The Chocolate Moose, Spaceport, Box Car Books, and Rachael's Cafe, along with others. The Chocolate Moose was able to reopen in a new space in the real estate development at its former site, however the fate of Rhino's seems unclear. Recently Players Pub also closed after the proprietor had a dispute with the landlord, and all the items in the venue were sold at auction. Blues musicians from Chicago to Mississippi knew of the Players Pub, and many national acts played music at the venue since Indiana is the crossroads of America. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan)
03082019 - Bloomington, Indiana, USA: The Rhino's All Ages club building is due to be torn down to make way for a new four-story, 154 bedroom development (more apartments), Friday, March 8, 2019 in Bloomington, Ind. The club was a venue for countless bands that wouldn't have never played shows in Bloomington otherwise, and provided a safe space for under 18 youth in the community. Bands such as No Age, Against Me!, Agent Orange, and many others with international followings and deep roots in the punk rock and indie rock traditions and communities played there over the years. The tearing down of the building is one in a series that have changed the social landscape of Bloomington. Other businesses that have closed or been affected by changes include Ladyman's, The Chocolate Moose, Spaceport, Box Car Books, and Rachael's Cafe, along with others. The Chocolate Moose was able to reopen in a new space in the real estate development at its former site, however the fate of Rhino's seems unclear. Recently Players Pub also closed after the proprietor had a dispute with the landlord, and all the items in the venue were sold at auction. Blues musicians from Chicago to Mississippi knew of the Players Pub, and many national acts played music at the venue since Indiana is the crossroads of America. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan)
03082019 - Bloomington, Indiana, USA: The Rhino's All Ages club building is due to be torn down to make way for a new four-story, 154 bedroom development (more apartments), Friday, March 8, 2019 in Bloomington, Ind. The club was a venue for countless bands that wouldn't have never played shows in Bloomington otherwise, and provided a safe space for under 18 youth in the community. Bands such as No Age, Against Me!, Agent Orange, and many others with international followings and deep roots in the punk rock and indie rock traditions and communities played there over the years. The tearing down of the building is one in a series that have changed the social landscape of Bloomington. Other businesses that have closed or been affected by changes include Ladyman's, The Chocolate Moose, Spaceport, Box Car Books, and Rachael's Cafe, along with others. The Chocolate Moose was able to reopen in a new space in the real estate development at its former site, however the fate of Rhino's seems unclear. Recently Players Pub also closed after the proprietor had a dispute with the landlord, and all the items in the venue were sold at auction. Blues musicians from Chicago to Mississippi knew of the Players Pub, and many national acts played music at the venue since Indiana is the crossroads of America. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan)
03082019 - Bloomington, Indiana, USA: The Rhino's All Ages club building is due to be torn down to make way for a new four-story, 154 bedroom development (more apartments), Friday, March 8, 2019 in Bloomington, Ind. The club was a venue for countless bands that wouldn't have never played shows in Bloomington otherwise, and provided a safe space for under 18 youth in the community. Bands such as No Age, Against Me!, Agent Orange, and many others with international followings and deep roots in the punk rock and indie rock traditions and communities played there over the years. The tearing down of the building is one in a series that have changed the social landscape of Bloomington. Other businesses that have closed or been affected by changes include Ladyman's, The Chocolate Moose, Spaceport, Box Car Books, and Rachael's Cafe, along with others. The Chocolate Moose was able to reopen in a new space in the real estate development at its former site, however the fate of Rhino's seems unclear. Recently Players Pub also closed after the proprietor had a dispute with the landlord, and all the items in the venue were sold at auction. Blues musicians from Chicago to Mississippi knew of the Players Pub, and many national acts played music at the venue since Indiana is the crossroads of America. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan)
03082019 - Bloomington, Indiana, USA: The Rhino's All Ages club building is due to be torn down to make way for a new four-story, 154 bedroom development (more apartments), Friday, March 8, 2019 in Bloomington, Ind. The club was a venue for countless bands that wouldn't have never played shows in Bloomington otherwise, and provided a safe space for under 18 youth in the community. Bands such as No Age, Against Me!, Agent Orange, and many others with international followings and deep roots in the punk rock and indie rock traditions and communities played there over the years. The tearing down of the building is one in a series that have changed the social landscape of Bloomington. Other businesses that have closed or been affected by changes include Ladyman's, The Chocolate Moose, Spaceport, Box Car Books, and Rachael's Cafe, along with others. The Chocolate Moose was able to reopen in a new space in the real estate development at its former site, however the fate of Rhino's seems unclear. Recently Players Pub also closed after the proprietor had a dispute with the landlord, and all the items in the venue were sold at auction. Blues musicians from Chicago to Mississippi knew of the Players Pub, and many national acts played music at the venue since Indiana is the crossroads of America. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan)
03082019 - Bloomington, Indiana, USA: The Rhino's All Ages club building is due to be torn down to make way for a new four-story, 154 bedroom development (more apartments), Friday, March 8, 2019 in Bloomington, Ind. The club was a venue for countless bands that wouldn't have never played shows in Bloomington otherwise, and provided a safe space for under 18 youth in the community. Bands such as No Age, Against Me!, Agent Orange, and many others with international followings and deep roots in the punk rock and indie rock traditions and communities played there over the years. The tearing down of the building is one in a series that have changed the social landscape of Bloomington. Other businesses that have closed or been affected by changes include Ladyman's, The Chocolate Moose, Spaceport, Box Car Books, and Rachael's Cafe, along with others. The Chocolate Moose was able to reopen in a new space in the real estate development at its former site, however the fate of Rhino's seems unclear. Recently Players Pub also closed after the proprietor had a dispute with the landlord, and all the items in the venue were sold at auction. Blues musicians from Chicago to Mississippi knew of the Players Pub, and many national acts played music at the venue since Indiana is the crossroads of America. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan)
03082019 - Bloomington, Indiana, USA: The Rhino's All Ages club building is due to be torn down to make way for a new four-story, 154 bedroom development (more apartments), Friday, March 8, 2019 in Bloomington, Ind. The club was a venue for countless bands that wouldn't have never played shows in Bloomington otherwise, and provided a safe space for under 18 youth in the community. Bands such as No Age, Against Me!, Agent Orange, and many others with international followings and deep roots in the punk rock and indie rock traditions and communities played there over the years. The tearing down of the building is one in a series that have changed the social landscape of Bloomington. Other businesses that have closed or been affected by changes include Ladyman's, The Chocolate Moose, Spaceport, Box Car Books, and Rachael's Cafe, along with others. The Chocolate Moose was able to reopen in a new space in the real estate development at its former site, however the fate of Rhino's seems unclear. Recently Players Pub also closed after the proprietor had a dispute with the landlord, and all the items in the venue were sold at auction. Blues musicians from Chicago to Mississippi knew of the Players Pub, and many national acts played music at the venue since Indiana is the crossroads of America. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan)
03082019 - Bloomington, Indiana, USA: The Rhino's All Ages club building is due to be torn down to make way for a new four-story, 154 bedroom development (more apartments), Friday, March 8, 2019 in Bloomington, Ind. The club was a venue for countless bands that wouldn't have never played shows in Bloomington otherwise, and provided a safe space for under 18 youth in the community. Bands such as No Age, Against Me!, Agent Orange, and many others with international followings and deep roots in the punk rock and indie rock traditions and communities played there over the years. The tearing down of the building is one in a series that have changed the social landscape of Bloomington. Other businesses that have closed or been affected by changes include Ladyman's, The Chocolate Moose, Spaceport, Box Car Books, and Rachael's Cafe, along with others. The Chocolate Moose was able to reopen in a new space in the real estate development at its former site, however the fate of Rhino's seems unclear. Recently Players Pub also closed after the proprietor had a dispute with the landlord, and all the items in the venue were sold at auction. Blues musicians from Chicago to Mississippi knew of the Players Pub, and many national acts played music at the venue since Indiana is the crossroads of America. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan)
03082019 - Bloomington, Indiana, USA: The Rhino's All Ages club building is due to be torn down to make way for a new four-story, 154 bedroom development (more apartments), Friday, March 8, 2019 in Bloomington, Ind. The club was a venue for countless bands that wouldn't have never played shows in Bloomington otherwise, and provided a safe space for under 18 youth in the community. Bands such as No Age, Against Me!, Agent Orange, and many others with international followings and deep roots in the punk rock and indie rock traditions and communities played there over the years. The tearing down of the building is one in a series that have changed the social landscape of Bloomington. Other businesses that have closed or been affected by changes include Ladyman's, The Chocolate Moose, Spaceport, Box Car Books, and Rachael's Cafe, along with others. The Chocolate Moose was able to reopen in a new space in the real estate development at its former site, however the fate of Rhino's seems unclear. Recently Players Pub also closed after the proprietor had a dispute with the landlord, and all the items in the venue were sold at auction. Blues musicians from Chicago to Mississippi knew of the Players Pub, and many national acts played music at the venue since Indiana is the crossroads of America. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan)
03082019 - Bloomington, Indiana, USA: The Rhino's All Ages club building is due to be torn down to make way for a new four-story, 154 bedroom development (more apartments), Friday, March 8, 2019 in Bloomington, Ind. The club was a venue for countless bands that wouldn't have never played shows in Bloomington otherwise, and provided a safe space for under 18 youth in the community. Bands such as No Age, Against Me!, Agent Orange, and many others with international followings and deep roots in the punk rock and indie rock traditions and communities played there over the years. The tearing down of the building is one in a series that have changed the social landscape of Bloomington. Other businesses that have closed or been affected by changes include Ladyman's, The Chocolate Moose, Spaceport, Box Car Books, and Rachael's Cafe, along with others. The Chocolate Moose was able to reopen in a new space in the real estate development at its former site, however the fate of Rhino's seems unclear. Recently Players Pub also closed after the proprietor had a dispute with the landlord, and all the items in the venue were sold at auction. Blues musicians from Chicago to Mississippi knew of the Players Pub, and many national acts played music at the venue since Indiana is the crossroads of America. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan)
03082019 - Bloomington, Indiana, USA: The Rhino's All Ages club building is due to be torn down to make way for a new four-story, 154 bedroom development (more apartments), Friday, March 8, 2019 in Bloomington, Ind. The club was a venue for countless bands that wouldn't have never played shows in Bloomington otherwise, and provided a safe space for under 18 youth in the community. Bands such as No Age, Against Me!, Agent Orange, and many others with international followings and deep roots in the punk rock and indie rock traditions and communities played there over the years. The tearing down of the building is one in a series that have changed the social landscape of Bloomington. Other businesses that have closed or been affected by changes include Ladyman's, The Chocolate Moose, Spaceport, Box Car Books, and Rachael's Cafe, along with others. The Chocolate Moose was able to reopen in a new space in the real estate development at its former site, however the fate of Rhino's seems unclear. Recently Players Pub also closed after the proprietor had a dispute with the landlord, and all the items in the venue were sold at auction. Blues musicians from Chicago to Mississippi knew of the Players Pub, and many national acts played music at the venue since Indiana is the crossroads of America. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan)
03082019 - Bloomington, Indiana, USA: The Rhino's All Ages club building is due to be torn down to make way for a new four-story, 154 bedroom development (more apartments), Friday, March 8, 2019 in Bloomington, Ind. The club was a venue for countless bands that wouldn't have never played shows in Bloomington otherwise, and provided a safe space for under 18 youth in the community. Bands such as No Age, Against Me!, Agent Orange, and many others with international followings and deep roots in the punk rock and indie rock traditions and communities played there over the years. The tearing down of the building is one in a series that have changed the social landscape of Bloomington. Other businesses that have closed or been affected by changes include Ladyman's, The Chocolate Moose, Spaceport, Box Car Books, and Rachael's Cafe, along with others. The Chocolate Moose was able to reopen in a new space in the real estate development at its former site, however the fate of Rhino's seems unclear. Recently Players Pub also closed after the proprietor had a dispute with the landlord, and all the items in the venue were sold at auction. Blues musicians from Chicago to Mississippi knew of the Players Pub, and many national acts played music at the venue since Indiana is the crossroads of America. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan)
According to a post on Facebook today the Rhino’s building has been sold, and the programs will be moved to Harmony School. Here is the statement, and a gallery of images from shows of the past, and documenting what the building looked like recently.
A post on Facebook Thursday, April 4, 2019 reads the following:
“”
To Everyone Who Has Ever Been Involved With Rhino’s:
I am
writing to let you all know that Harmony has sold the property where
Rhino’s has been since 1995. This was a difficult decision. However,
after the financial support fell through that was necessary to keep
Rhino’s open in the form we have all known it, the decision was clear.
We are trying to keep the most popular Rhino’s afterschool programs
going by using the Harmony School building as the home space for
Rhino’s. Many of you may know that Rhino’s actually started in the Harmony building by Harmony students, before moving downtown in 1992.
The programs we are trying to keep active are the Rhino’s Youth Radio
show on WFHB, a Theater program and periodic opportunities for young
bands to play live at locations around town as well as live on the radio
show. Harmony will also provide additional space for afterschool
programs as needed. However, we are not underestimating the challenges
of keeping Rhino’s name and programs vibrant in the future without a
home of its own.
I want to thank all of you that supported Rhino’s these last 27 years – especially the young people who helped start Rhino’s and the many generations of you that helped manage Rhino’s throughout the years. I also want to thank the four people who directed Rhino’s at different points, Lisa Sorg, Brad Wilhelm, Liv Mershon and David Kopp, as well as all the other people that have worked and volunteered at Rhino’s.
Obviously, it is Brad, that served as director for 24 of those 27 years, that made Rhino’s the program that meant so much to me and Barb and generations of Bloomington youth.
Again, thanks to all of you for your past support and understanding as Rhino’s goes through these major changes.
Sincerely,
Steve “Roc” Bonchek””
