Hundreds of friends and well-wishers gathered at the Basilica Industria last night to bid farewell to Patrick Doyle and Catherine Dodge Smith, the owners and creators of Basilica Industria, and to celebrate their ten years of activism and contribution to the civic and cultural life of Hudson. The evening of tribute, music, clowning, and dance culminated with Doyle introducing the new owners--Nancy Barber and Bill Stone and their son Tony Stone--and engaging with Bill Stone in a ceremonial passing of the torch. The new owners intend to retain the name Basilica Industria and continue its use as an arts and entertainment venue.
The group then gathered in the courtyard north of the building for a bonfire--a feature of so many events at Basilica Industria over the years. No sooner was the bonfire ignited than the Basilica was descended upon by City of Hudson Fire Police, the Fire Chief, and Engine 30 from the Hoysradt Fire Station on Warren Street. The firefighters extinguished the bonfire.
It wasn't immediately clear to the spectators that the presence of the Fire Department wasn't part of the theater of the evening, but it became clear when Doyle was issued a citation. Doyle had contacted the Fire Department to arrange for a permit for the bonfire, but he was unable to reach anyone and his calls were not returned, so he decided to go ahead with the bonfire anyway. Doyle is scheduled to appear in court on September 8.