For 17 years, the Recher Theatre has been a staple of the Baltimore music scene. Countless bands have gotten their start at the venue, and it has been a hotspot for national tours for years. Now, the venue is to be converted into Torrent Nightclub, with construction set to begin late March.

The Recher is a safe venue in a safe part of town where parents can feel comfortable sending their kids for shows and where the college scene has easy, safe access to local and national music.

The conversion of the Recher Theatre into a nightclub will not only bring a rowdier crowd to Towson, but will inevitably sign the death certificate of the Maryland music scene.

We cannot let this happen.