[Harrison Bergeron]

The future of live independent music performances are being threatened by a newly-proposed Chicago ordinance.

The reason that this ordinance affects us here is that one of the venues that will be targeted by the proposed ordinance is the Empty Bottle; a venue that regularly hosts many J-Pop/Rock bands that stop in Chicago on their tours. As the fan-base for J-Pop/Rock in Chicago is still in its infancy, a lot of the acts choose this and other smaller venues in which to perform in order to attract a more grass-roots audience; mainly us.

To put it bluntly, if this ordinance is passed, the smaller venues, which include the ones that sponsor independent and alternative genre music like J-Pop/Rock, will be threatened and possibly forced out of business.

In summary:

The "Event Promoters" ordinance requires any event promoter to have a
license from the city of Chicago and liability insurance of $300,000,
but that's just the start:

* The definition of "event promoter" is so loosely defined it
could apply to a band or singer-songwriter that books their own shows
or a theater company that's in town for a one-week run.

* "Event Promoter" must be licensed and will pay $500 - $2000
depending on expected audience size

* To get the license, applicant must be over 21, get
fingerprinted, submit to a background check, and jump over
several other hurdles .

* This ordinance seems targeted towards smaller venues, since
those with 500+ permanent seats are exempt

* Police must be notified at least 7 days in advance of event.

There are two links in regards to this ordinance:

This is a link that explains the "Event Promoter's Ordinance" in detail by Chicago columnist Jim DeRogatis.

This is the link to the petition being organized to fight this ordinance.

If you live in Chicago, you can use this link to find your local alderman and let them know that as a fan of J-Pop/Rock, that this ordinance is a threat to Chicago's independent music scene.

I'm speaking not as the con chair of Anime Central, but as a fellow fan of the music scene who does not want to see it go away. This ill-proposed ordinance, could put an end to it.

I'm going do what I can to support fighting this "Event Promoter's Ordinance."

I'm asking you to do the same.

Thanks for taking the time to at least read this post.

Beryl Turner

[`Aygen`]

Done and Done, Even though I live in plainfield; I agree that this would be a very bad thing to happen to the independant music scene.

[Kankokujin]

Does posting on the blogs count as petitioning? We really need to stop this because I love Chicago. So much diversity and culture. Something that just isn't the same as what I get here in the suburbs.

[Harrison Bergeron]

That is what they want. I saw the people posting with legal names, rather than internet tags.

Thanks.

Beryl Turner

[Seph]

i heard about this a while ago.. i shoot a lot of nightlife

[Harrison Bergeron]

There is a rally at 9am Wed 5/14 at 121 N La Salle in Chicago.

If you are able to show up for this, do so and show your support.

I wish I could, but I'll be in Rosemont, trying to make the con happen.

Beryl

Update!!!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Tankboy Productions <tankboy@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, May 13, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Subject: Promoter ordinance tabled ... for now.
To: many

The Chicago "anti-promoter" ordinance has been tabled for "further research" so there will be no vote on it tomorrow.

Independent promotion is safe in Chicago for now, and I think it's entirely due to the strong and immediate response from the music community.

Thank you to everyone who made their voice heard ... but let's not let this one slip into the background unnoticed again, since I'm sure our dear Mayor will try and pull whatever strings he can to get it voted on at some point in the not-to-distant future.

--
**PLEASE NOTE THE NEW MAILING ADDRESS**

Jim Kopeny
Chicagoist Associate Editor, Arts & Entertainment | Tankboy Productions

"Home of that fine, fine music."

www.chicagoist.com
www.donewaiting.com
www.tankboyprime.blogspot.com

[FlyingElf]

I don't even understand what would be the point in this law? Other than maybe to stop a few drunken out of hand shows at smaller venues. Way to look at the small picture and instead drive a lot of businesses to close which drives up the unemployment rate as well.

Regardless, everyone should support this cause Chicago or no. If a law like this gets implemented in one place, that only gives lawmakers precedence to set it up elsewhere as well.

[Boisdope]

um, the statue above have been tabled pending revision and further deliberation.

Basically, it's been pushed back, perhaps indefintely...

[XCMNate]

I'm supporting it either way, but does affect the suburbs as well?

[Seph]

XCMNate, on May 22 2008, 02:52 PM, said:

I'm supporting it either way, but does affect the suburbs as well?

no.. but due the the impressive amount of support against this thing trying to be snuck around everyone.. its being rewritten


my thing is....

the location should have insurance.. not the promoters....

[redx1]

Done! Just wrote my local alderman. As a local artist, this is so unfair. Like cook county needs to find more ways to rob us and the local spirit. I really do wonder what the future looks like for this city.

[Prayer Police]

I love the Empty Bottle. Saw DMBQ there and many other shows.
Ghost plays there this Tuesday (5/5/09).

[redx1]

Has anyone heard much about the event promoters ordinance lately? From what I'm reading it still exists as proposed, but hasn't gotten anywhere. The issue become hot again in March of 2009. I can't find anything on it that is a little more recent.

Clicky
http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/tur...-community.html

[La Artista del Sangre]

My goodness. Why would they want to descecrate J-Pop? Is it not considered music? After all, it is part of all cultures and should be respected. I am all pro for J-Pop to continue.