NORA SPRINGS, IOWA – Some say a dirty trick was pulled on the Pole Barn Theater juice bar this past weekend, which potentially put people in danger.
NIT has confirmed with a number of persons that at 2 AM Sunday morning, March 13, the lights went out at the Pole Barn Theatre in downtown Nora Springs.
The establishment was pitch back inside when the lights suddenly stopped functioning – with numerous patrons and “entertainers” inside. Confusion and near-chaos ensued, NIT is told.
According to bouncer Aron Bierl and another bouncer, Joel, the darkness was an intentional act – and a dangerous one.
Speaking with NIT by phone from Minneapolis, Joel tells NIT that he was outside the Pole Barn Theater at 2 AM when a man who was protesting said “watch this” and disappeared around the corner at the north side of the building. Immediately, he reappeared, Joel describes, “whistling, with a big smile on his face. He was wearing a green sweater.”
At this moment, the lights inside the Pole Barn Theater went out, bouncer Aron Bierl says, sending patrons and dancers into “chaos”.
“No one knew what happened, it was frightening,” Bierl tells NIT. “Everyone was confused. It was a very dangerous situation. There were entertainers, people drinking. No one could see anything. Someone could have fallen and injured themselves. People were at risk.”
Mr. Bierl says he got his phone out and used what light it had to see. Soon, the other bouncer Joel came inside. He and Bierl said “people started to leave, the place was emptying out.”
The lights remained out for about 10 minutes. This is when Joel went outside to the rear, west side of the building. In the alley there, he found the breaker box and flipped open the lid. He then saw the breaker was “off”. He put the breaker to the “on” position, which turned the power and the lights back on inside the juice bar.
By then, most people had left, both bouncers say. A few remained, however, and the establishment remained open until 3 AM closing time.
NIT spoke to an Alliant Energy spokesman, Justin Foss. He confirmed Alliant Energy provides the power to 14 North Hawkeye Avenue, home of the Pole Barn Theater. Mr. Foss explained that power would go to the meter, and then from there Alliant cannot track what happens. He says there was no loss of power delivery from Alliant to the meter at this address Sunday morning, or anytime recently.
Owner Dale Peterson also confirmed to NIT that the power was out and his patrons and employees were put at risk. Speaking to NIT via phone, Mr. Peterson said he spoke to Nora Springs police about the incident.
“The police were respectful, and they told me they would try to find out who pulled the breaker on us,” Mr. Peterson said. He expects a busy night Thursday evening, with up to 7 “entertainers” work
A message left with Nora Springs police was returned by Chief of Police Jesse Dugan. He confirmed that he spoke to Mr. Peterson Monday about the incident.
“I spoke to Dale, he told me what happened. I’m investigating, taking statements. It could be a criminal mischief thing, or something else. I’m not sure yet what happened.”
NIT will follow up with Chief Duggan for more developments in this on-going situation.
I was there, it was total chaos. Both bouncers were crying. Meat flaps was about to go on but when the lights went out she fell and impaled herself on a 14 inch green dong. Bodily fluids were flying everywhere. Chocolate starfish was screaming with delight over some sort of act of prostitution. When all was said and done the whole place smelled like an outhouse in July, the stage and mirror had been sprayed with human fecal matter, and dale was wearing his pants on his head and his shirt around his waist.
People should be able to make their own choices. If you don’t agree with what this business is offering don’t patronize it. But leave it alone for those who chose to support it. I won’t go there but that’s my choice not because some dumb shits are protesting.
if the cops are looking into it they will not do anything as they are all assholes and lie
The NS Police DO NOT bother a soul!!!!! Lived here a year n a half n never had no problems unlike living in Mason City n being Harassed for pettyness.
It was Johnny from the movie “Airplane”.
According to Chocolate Starfish, a performer in the club, one of the regular female patrons got real excited and yelled “Billy Ray, break out them rubbers, time to make whoopie but we don’t need no more of them babies.”
According to several witnesses, Joel became vere scared and almost inconsolable when it got dark. A dancer reported, “Joel just started screaming and then jumped into Dale’s lap yelling.”hold me tight, hold me tight.”
And then Mr.Bierl hopped on their laps n screamed im only trying to protect the people !!!
“The night the lights went out in Dixie”
https://www.facebook.com/ThePoleBarn/ — He needs to get the faces of the dancers on here to see what we’re dealing with!
I doubt the PBT cared. They already got their $10 cover charge.
I bet the police chief is really putting a lot of effort into this investigation. SMH Probably hasn’t given it a second thought.
OMG i had that happen to me years ago !!! My electricity went off for a few minutes and i have been tramatized for years.. It was so scary and dangerous. They were just lucky they had Arron there to rescue everyone. Wow we could have had a crisis there.!!!!
It was probably a leprechun if he was dressed in green
I can understand not wanting this business in the downtown area but they are going about it all wrong. IMO-They are just fanning the flames and making this place more popular than ever. Because of their actions they themselves are bringing in crowds to this place. Should just let it die on its own or go through the proper legal channels to challenge this business. Instead you are making a mockery of yourselves and your town. You are allowing the Pole Barn to win.
How ignorant of people! Uses dirty tactics–as I said before If you don’t like the place—then don’t go there!
You’ve said that same thing a million times now. We get the point !!! Say something else instead of what you’ve made perfectly clear, cuz were all bored with your repeated response!!!!!
It can’t just be criminal mischief, somebody could have gotten injured, then who would have paid. There should be a lock on the breaker box. If Nora Springs wants that business out of town, they need to do it the legal way.