Last spring, it was announced that Galapagos was being priced out of their N 6th Street digs in Williamsburg, which the club had inhabited permanently since 1998.

More recently, TONY hinted that Southpaw owner Matthew Roff planned to sign a lease to take over the space, and today it's been confimed; from a press release:

In an exciting development for New York City’s performing arts and music scene, Michael Palms, Matthew Roff, of Southpaw, & Larry Hyland, of Matchless, are taking over the old Galapagos Art Space!

Natural Selection, the new venue, will continue to feature cutting edge programming, art and music.And, Galapagos Art Space will continue to be a presence in Williamsburg by helping to create cultural and community programs that continue to partner the community with the new venue. Natural Selection, as its name suggests, will help evolve and develop the Brooklyn arts and culture scene.

Roff discussed the new name, saying, “We’re all fans of Darwin, obviously. We were originally going to call it Madagascar—we are trying to have some continuity between 'Natural Selection' and the new Galapagos." Meanwhile, look for the real new Galapagos opening up in DUMBO this Spring.

Photo via Wally G's Flickr.