09/24/2022
Bizet’s Carmen was ahead of its time when a lead femme fatale exemplifies contemporary beliefs of race, sexuality and class equality that were oppressed by the French Government in early 1900s. One-hundred and twenty-two years later, Carmen will be my muse for singing our final song, that the Madear’s show is over; but Kyle, Robb and Family are still moving forward.
During our 12 months of closure, we had time to evaluate our business, the climate of our less than sympathetic local government, some investment opportunities and maybe a few life epiphanies – we are closing our doors at 141 Main Street in Pembroke. In 2016 when we first moved to NH we found a certain niche in our community – with our friends, family, guests who became friends and even some strange encounters on Hanover Street. We have loved every minute of operating our restaurant together; as a fresh in*******al gay couple from Boston tackling the Manchester scene, to a full-on family effort in Pembroke. Jim, Diana, Deborah, Lala, Sydney, Jules, Mecie, Kayla, Puffy, Rencie, Z, Lorna, Peep and Nikki – we appreciate all your support and encouragement.
We will miss you all. But you know us, we’re continuing to do what we love – cook, educate, gather, share and move forward. Carmen is not the fat lady ending our opera, so we'll embrace inspiration from the bearded lady marching to our mantra:
I won't let them break me down to dust…I know that there's a place for us…For we are glorious; When the sharpest words wanna cut me down…I'm gonna send a flood, gonna drown 'em out; I am brave, I am bruised…I am who I'm meant to be, this is me; Look out 'cause here I come…And I'm marching on to the beat I drum; I'm not scared to be seen…I make no apologies, this is me.