Johnny D’s gallery
Johnny D's closed, but the photos from its last party are pure joy
-

The storied Davis Square music club, Johnny D’s, officially closed its doors on Sunday. But go quietly into the night, it did not.
-

Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, a New Orleans-style brass band, had the unique pleasure of being the final music group to claim the stage at Johnny D’s, an institution that has seen hundreds of acts in its 47-year history.
-

Though the musical acts didn’t take the stage until 4 p.m., hundreds of people lined up along Somerville’s Holland Street hours ahead of time to snag a spot inside and experience the end of a musical era.
-

“I think seeing Dick Dale here in 1994 was one of my favorite memories of Johnny D’s, but my wedding was pretty fun, too,’’ said Heidi Davis of West Medford. “The bar was still open to the public, but we had the dance floor. The owner kept trying to referee, keeping people at the bar from going out on the dance floor. We’ve got a lot of random people in our wedding photos.’’
-

Those lucky enough to make it inside Johnny D’s on Sunday were treated to the musical stylings of Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society Brass Band in addition to Revolutionary Snake Ensemble. All proceeds went to the Somerville Homeless Coalition and Community Cooks.
-

“Johnny D’s in one word,’’ said Reebee Garofalo of Somerville. “Joyous.’’
-

By 5:30 p.m., the party had poured out into the street where, as the Johnny D’s website stated it would, “a funeral procession of sorts’’ made its way through Davis Square. Emphasis on the “of sorts.’’
-

The brass bands and spectators danced, sang, and played trombone down to Statue Park, with crowds of all ages gathering together one last time to celebrate music.
-

Women and men, seniors and toddlers, fur coats and tie-dye—the people celebrating the closing of Johnny D’s were as diverse as the musical acts that have come and gone through this longtime neighborhood fixture.
-

The first 500 people to arrive at Johnny D’s Final Day got an imprinted Second Line handkerchief, center, to wave around while parading through the streets.
-

“Don’t expect that all the best talent is just in big arenas because it’s spread all over this country,’’ said Carla DeLellis, Johnny D’s owner, through tears. “When you can see performers and look them in their eyes, and hear their stories through their songs, it’s magic. It’s healing. It’s inspirational. People rob themselves when they don’t realize the power of music.’’
-

Though many people at the parade had built years of memories at Johnny D’s, Orest Hurko only had just about 25 minutes’ worth. “It just so happens that my wife, Vicky, and I left Boston the year Johnny D’s opened, and we only just recently returned to the city. Better late than never.’’
-

This little guy will unfortunately have to look elsewhere for his debut performance.
-

And as the people marched on, the doors of Johnny D’s were closed to the public for the very last time.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com