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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