It's the end of The World as we know it. The Strip District music showcase, formerly Rosebud, will close July 17.

Promoter Jon Rinaldo of Joker Productions, who acquired and upgraded the venue in April, attributes its short life span to several factors, among them a touring industry that he says is "imploding on itself."

"It's a combination of factors," said Rinaldo, "[including] a long delay in getting our liquor license, investor problems, absorbing the cost of the initial deal and high payroll. When you have a band like Bouncing Souls that has sold 1,000 tickets in the past and they're only [drawing] 400 people, and you add in the other factors, the numbers just don't add up."

The World hosted about 50 shows, including well-attended performances by The Cotton Mouth Kings and Alkaline Trio. Weeks ago, Rinaldo was heralded by the Post-Gazette as one of Pittsburgh's Top 50 Cultural Forces, after keeping music alive in the room after the closure of Rosebud.

The space at 1650 Smallman St. is owned by Keicher Bros. Enterprises of New York, who manage the KML food outlet in the same building and lease space to the Empire nightclub next door.

The World will end July 17 following an early show by Me Without You and a later performance by Those Legendary Shack Shakers. The Sonia Dada concert has been moved to the Hard Rock Cafe on July 21, and many shows scheduled for The World will be moved to Nick's Fat City, South Side. Details are pending.

Joker Productions will continue to promote smaller shows at the South Side's Club Cafe.

"It's a tragedy, if you ask me," said Rinaldo. "You line up all of your ducks in a row. Two or three of those go off kilter and you have a runaway train on your hands. Instead of bleeding yourself dry, you say let's stop this now."