NYC: NO DANCING ALLOWED -Panel & Gathering

From: Joni . (bigorangecat@hotmail.com)
Date: Thu Aug 09 2001 - 15:32:35 CEST

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    This may interest some.....

    July 23, 2001

    The Mishpucha Presents:
    An evening of film, dancing, and informed discussion

    NYC: NO DANCING ALLOWED

    PANEL OF NIGHTLIFE LEADERS AND CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS
    TO ADDRESS CONTROVERSIAL NYC CABARET LAWS

    Mishpucha, the non-profit NYC-based music community, presents NYC: NO
    DANCING ALLOWED, a point-blank discussion of the history, implementation,
    and ramifications of NYCís controversial cabaret laws. A panel discussion
    with leading members of Manhattanís nightlife, cultural, and legal
    communities will be preceded by a documentary on the hotly-contested laws,
    and will all be followed by a slamming (and legal) dance party.
    WHEN: Thursday August 9
    WHERE: Makor, 35 West 67th Street
    COST: film/panel discussion 7:30pm- 10pm FREE
            dance party 10pm- 1am $5

    PANELISTS:
    Ethan Brown (New York Magazine), moderator
    Norman Siegel (former Executive Director of the New York Civil Liberties
    Union)
    John Davis (Body & Soul)
    David Rabin (New York Nightlife Association President)
    Robert Bookman (New York Nightlife Association Counsel)
    Robert Pritchard (Dance Liberation Front)
    Philip Rodriguez (Baktun)
    Nicky Siano (Legendary New York house DJ)

    FILM: No Dancing Allowed, by Juli Berg and Candice Corelli

    MUSIC: DJs Nicky Siano, Jeannie Hopper, special guest tba

    A vast coalition of NYC residents assert that dancing is an inalienable
    liberty and that these laws unfairly impinge upon our communityís civil
    rights. Indeed, dancing has no business being regulated by any governmental
    agency.

    With NYC: NO DANCING ALLOWED we call all members of NYCís music, dance,
    nightlife, and civil rights communities to come together to learn more
    about these laws and, in this all-important election year, map out a course
    of action to either amend or repeal these unreasonably prohibitive laws.
    --------------------------------------------------------------

    SCHEDULE:

    7:30 ñ 8:00 pm:NYC filmmakers Juli Berg and Candace Corelli will present a
    portion of their upcoming documentary No Dancing Allowed, featuring
    interviews with local artists, politicians, and promoters.Ý Following the
    film Julie and Candice will be on hand to take questions. Contact Info:
    XLS@interport.net; 212-349-92698:00 ñ 10:00 pm:Panel discussion with the
    cityís leading legal, cultural, and political experts who have experienced
    the effects on the cabaret laws enforcement by the Giuliani
    administration.10:00pm ñ 1:00 amNICKY SIANO takes the decks for a tour
    through classic New York House, followed by JEANNIE HOPPER who brings her
    Liquid Sound Lounge, heard on WBAI every Saturday night, to Makor. Plus, a
    special guest in the last hour of the evening.

    Contact Information:
    ADAM SHORE a d a m EMAIL souljazz_shore@hotmail.com 212-387-9155
    ANDY GENSLER NYCandyg@aol.com 718-789-4404

    THIS IS WHY IT'S ILLEGALTO DANCE
    IN MOST PLACES IN NEW YORK CITY

    The city began a system in Prohibition-era 1926 to control entertainment in
    clubs.Ý All clubs were required to obtain a cabaret license to operate,
    which remains a labyrinthine process controlled entirely by the city.Ý Itís
    widely believed that the city was legislating in the view that the origins
    of jazz music and dancing in black culture were a moral degradation.
    The law states that an establishment must be licensed if the club features
    three or more musicians, or if any of the instruments is percussion or
    brass, or if there is three or more people moving in synchronized fashion.
    Nightclubs are also restricted in zoning, meaning cabaret licenses are only
    granted to venues in major commercial centers, industrial or manufacturing
    districts, effectively making it illegal to dance in any residential area.

    The permit process is long, costly and uncertain. Approval is required
    from the Department of Consumer Affairs, the NYC Planning Department, the
    Fire Department, the Buildings Departments and local community boards,
    among others, all of whom work independently from each other. In 1960
    there were 12,000 cabaret licenses in the five boroughs. In 2001 there was
    296.

    In the late eighties, after a decade long legal battle, the courts declared
    the three musician rule unconstitutional and accepted live music in zones
    where bars and restaurants are permitted. But nothing was done to save
    dancing.

    In 1997 Rudy Guiliani created the multi-agency Nightclub Enforcement Task
    Force to crack down on clubs as part of his "Quality of Life" campaign.
    Deputy Mayor Rudy Washington goes on the record stating, ì"Weíve been
    closing down these little buckets of blood (nightclubs) for about three
    years and paralyzing them.î Coney Island High, Baby Jupiter, Hogs &
    Heifers, Vain, Rivertown Lounge and Lakeside Lounge are just a few of the
    places that have been fined or padlocked for illegal dancing.

    A survey by Audience Research and Analysis reports that approximately 24.3
    million people come to NYCís music and dance clubs per year, exceeding the
    combined attendance of Broadway theatres, city sports teams, the
    Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Empire State Buildingówhile
    contributing $2.9 billion to the city's economy and providing over 27,000
    jobs.

    There are currently over 5,000 liquor licenses in the five boroughs but
    less than 300 places where patrons can legally dance. Thatís 300 places
    for 24.3 million people. You are not allowed to dance to the jukebox or DJ
    at your local bar. You are not allowed to move to the rock band or jazz
    group at your neighborhood club.

    Dancing is a right, not some unsafe or dangerous action that need be
    licensed or regulated by a legislative body. The act of dancing is simply
    the physical expression of emotion, which much like verbal expression, need
    not ever be controlled or limited. This does not mean we donít support
    strict compliance with all fire safety codes, capacity numbers, noise
    ordinances, alcohol and drug laws, only that the act of dancing never be
    restrained in any manner.

    NYC has made an invaluable contribution to global music culture with its
    renowned music, musicians, and clubs ñ from jazz to disco, salsa to house,
    rock to hip-hop. Dance music culture and nightlife has brought untold
    millions of dollars to the city and its coffers. It is wrong that the
    cabaret laws stifle these cultural treasures, inhibit artistic expressions,
    and discourage the economic development of New York City nightlife.

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