Fill the Bottle Next Tuesday for a Worthy Cause

By Chuck Sudo in Miscellaneous on Jan 25, 2007 4:43PM

Tom Curtis, a former bartender at the Empty Bottle and current Twisted Spoke employee, was the victim of a senseless attack on December 8th. Walking home from a friend's house through an alley near the epicenter of Wicker Park, he was robbed by a group of young adults, beaten with a shovel about the face, neck, and head, and left for dead. Tom was found and taken to Stroger Hospital, where he received several transfusions for massive blood loss, and treatment to repair a crushed skull, a broken nose, jaw, teeth, and cheekbones. His neck was so swollen that intubation was required to allow him to breathe. The crushed skull also led to swelling and infections on the brain. Doctors gave little hope for Tom's survival. But he's fought back and is recovering better than the experts thought, although he still has a long way to go, including a couple more surgeries. And those are going to cost money; like many members of the service industry, Tom doesn't have health insurance.

To that end, the Empty Bottle continues its charitable spirit next Tuesday, January 30th, with a benefit for Tom. The benefit, which starts at 9:30, will feature performances by Can.Ky.Ree, Galactic Inmate, and Nora O'Connor and Danny Black. Matt Fields will DJ between sets. There will be raffle prizes and, in the spirit of solidarity, all Empty Bottle employees are volunteering their time and donating their tips for the evening.

Most of you who've frequented the Bottle or the Spoke over the years have been served by Tom Curtis, an ex-marine with a degree in international studies, who doesn't cotton any bullshit from people and has a low threshold for selfishness and petty behavior. Show your love and respect for the man, come out, and pay the $12 minimum suggested donation (more if you have it).

Photo credit: Robert R. Gigliotti, courtesy of Nan Warshaw at Bloodshot Records.