From: MundoVibes.com - (mundovibes_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 2003-05-22 15:21:23
The Bush administration has declared "war" on culture in the U.S. There are
many, many artists, authors, cultural critics and intellectuals from abroad
who have been banned from entering the U.S.
The recent shutdown of HotHouse is just one example of the rising fascism in
American.
And they hate us because we are free:
HOTHOUSE SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO SOLD-OUT PERFORMANCE OF
LEGENDARY CUBAN BAND ORQUESTA ARAGON
At 8:45 p.m. Friday May 9, ten undercover officers of the Chicago
Police Department ordered HotHouse, 31 E. Balbo, and its management
to cease and desist all operations, claiming the non-profit
performing arts venue was operating with improper Public Place of
Amusement licenses.
At the time of the citation, HotHouse was transitioning from a 7 p.m.
performance to a sold-out 10 p.m. show of the legendary Cuban
charanga band Orquesta Aragon. A crowd of ticketholders to the 10
p.m. performance had formed an orderly line outside the venue in
anticipation of the concert.
HotHouse management asserts that all licenses for the venue are in
good standing and proper order. Management believes that the raid,
which will cause untold financial losses to the venerable non-profit
cultural center, was politically motivated.
The crowd of ticketholders, many of whom had come from as far away as
Nebraska to see the rare performance of the Cuban orchestra, left the
premises in an orderly manner. The patrons of HotHouse, along with
its management and supporters, are looking to the City of Chicago and
its agencies for answers.
As of noon, Monday May 12, HotHouse remains closed. Management wishes
to thank our supporters, friends and peers for their overwhelming
support in the wake of Friday's unexpected closure. At this time, the
future of HotHouse and its upcoming performances remain uncertain.
Pending response from the City of Chicago's Department of Revenue,
HotHouse management is working closely with its legal counsel and
board of directors to hasten the reopening of the venue. Please check
back frequently for updated, official information about the status of
HotHouse.
Please send letters of support and solidarity to
Marguerite_at_hothouse.net
Mundovibes.com
Musical Vibrations Worldwide
http://www.mundovibes.com
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