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Thoughts on the Ammended Philadelphia Promoter Bill
Now that I have finally had a chance to read through the July 9th amendment to Philadelphia Bill Number 100267, I can help explain it from a promoter's point of view. You can track the progress of the bill and view its full text from the official legislative file.
This amendment is a big improvement on the initial draft: it is a lot less vague and quite a bit more rational. Keep in mind though that, in the game of politics, this may be a very deliberate play. Regulations pertaining to the roles of the venue operator and of the promoter are much more clearly defined. Perhaps the most notable change though is that the bill now explicitly targets music event (live performances, DJ nights, etc.) where attendance exceeds 50 people almost exclusively. This is a big change for the broad definition presented in the first iteration which targeted just about any event, but it was clear from the rest of the content as well as the subtext what the true aim was to be. Venues hosting applicable events must apply for a Special Occupancy license from "the Department", which likely refers to the Department of Licenses and Inspection which is mentioned much later in the document (not sure why the author couldn't just write it out). These cost $100 and last for 2 years. The terms of the license and the application process are spelled out a lot more clearly. The process seems to be similar to that of liquor licensure though not as intense as that mess. Some basic information is provided by the owner, a notice must be displayed on the building, and input is provided by the neighborhood as well as the police department. What they manage to sneak in to the otherwise reasonable process is that after the specifics, "police department views" are taken into account. This is essentially the same arbitrary decision making authority outlined in the first draft.
The venue is responsible for registering events with the neighborhood police commander within 2 weeks of the event or must be able to demonstrate a good cause for the late notice. A major improvement over the first draft is that there is no mention of the police department having the authority to deny these registrations. They only have the power to enforce operational regulations on the venue along with the Department of Licenses and Inspection. Both entities must be permitted to inspect the premises at any time. Opinions on this may vary depending upon how one feels about the whole warrant process.
Oh and venues may not have fireworks, prostitution, drugs, or alcohol being served to minors. Apparently someone thought it was worth wasting words in this text on matters that are already unquestionably illegal.
Promoters must be registered with the Managing Director (of the Department of Licensures and Inspection?) using a form that will be made available somewhere online. Registration requires a Business Privilege license from the city and carries a one-time fee of $40. The responsibilities of the promoter are left largely open-ended so that they can be worked out with the venue. Whatever responsibilities are agreed upon between the two parties must be clearly delineated using a provided form and posted publicly on the Web.
Of course the most fun comes at the end where the bill sneaks in the authority for the Department of Licenses and Inspection to change these regulations at any time and however it sees fit. In the end, it doesn't matter so much what this bill says then because those in power can simply impose whatever terms they want outside of the transparent (comparatively) legislative process. Isn't politics fun?!
Be sure to let the city council members (Greenlee and Clarke in particular) know how you feel about the bill! You can find their contact information here: http://www.phila.gov/cityCouncil/CouncilMembers.html
Moon Invaders, Caroloregians, and On Display @ Rotunda (FREE!)
Tomorrow (Thursday, 6/3) is at last our PhillySka.com show at the Rotunda. It's FREE and it's ALL AGES. Bring your friends and family. It will be a blast for sure and you definitely won't want to miss out!
We are very proud to be hosting 2 killer ska/reggae bands visiting us all the way from Belgium: The Moon Invaders and The Caroloregians It's quite a rarity these days to have ska bands visit us from overseas and even more so that you have an opportunity to experience them for FREE. If you haven't heard them already, you are missing out big time.
Our Philadelphia friends On Display will be opening the show. Hopefully I shouldn't have to tell you about this crazy ska crew.
7pm. 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Be there!
Wareika Hill CD Release Show This Saturday (5/22)
Coming up this Saturday, May 22nd at the Tritone is the long-awaited CD release show for Wareika Hill. This is the first album from one of Philadelphia's finest ska and reggae acts. Wareika Hill has been around just about as long as PhillySka.com. We hosted their first show back in March of 2006 and are very proud of how far they have come.
As you can imagine, the release show is going offer tons of Wareika Hill action. Former vocalist Tedford returns for a special appearance (he is featured on the album). As a bonus after their first set, the band will be performing the entire soundtrack from the film The Harder They Come. You won't want to miss it, so please come out and enjoy!
Wareika Hill's self-titled CD is out now on Jump Up Records.
Buy the Wareika Hill CD from Amazon
Buy the Wareika Hill MP3s from Amazon
Buy the Wareika Hill album from iTunes
Buy the Wareika Hill CD from Ernie B's Reggae
Philadelphia Promoter Bill Proposed: Promoters Not Impressed
Councilmembers Greene and Clarke have quietly submitted a bill targeting event promoters within the city of Philadelphia at the end of April and are working on trying to push it throw into law. This has received very little, if any, coverage by the main media outlets, but its impact could be severe. Particularly on smaller or independent promoters. you can give it a read here.
On the surface the legislation may seem benign, but you have to read between the lines in order to deduce its intentions. What's more important is what is not there.
Here is a basic overview of what is proposed:
- Promoters must register their events with the neighborhood police at least 30 days in advance which includes the submission of a detailed security plan.
- Events are approved by default unless the police unit decides to revoke it before 10 days prior to the date of the event.
- This applies to promoters of all events categorized under special assembly. Concerts, sports, festivals, and so on are included. Non-profits and political campaign events are excluded.
- Promoters are also made responsible for behavior outside of the confines of the event in the neighborhood.
The document is glaringly one-sided and leaves the door wide open for abuse. Denial of an event is entirely arbitrary. No guidelines are provided whatsoever for the police to follow. No appeal process is provided. This allows for events to be blocked on personal or political whims. Just because the police are the mouthpiece doesn't mean that the politicians can't influence their decisions. Ultimately this gives the city government control over precisely where, when, and what events it chooses to allow.
While this applies to an array of event types, concerts are clearly the primary target. Technically this applies to big sporting events like Eagles games as they are legally no different and athletic events are even explicitly mentioned. However, can you really see this being enforced with such big players? Even with the large venues like the Electric Factory, I can't see this being applied and enforced fairly. The intent seems to be to establish a means of cracking down on smaller events that generate nuisances. To be fair, there certainly are some that do and there are absolutely some lousy promoters. The problem is that there are some in law enforcement and politics who do not understand or participate in the music culture and blindly label them all as such.
As for the placing responsibility on the promoter for the behavior of others outside of the property of the venue, the proposal goes well beyond reason. It is not at all in the interest of the promoter or venue to have people making trouble in the neighborhood. Those who intend to keep things going in the long term certainly try to limit problems by encouraging people to disperse. However, once they step off the property the promoter has no legal means of influencing behavior. Legally, you can't touch people outside of the event. Inside you can, which allows for people to be physically removed as a trespasser. Outside, people are in the public domain which falls under the monitoring of law enforcement personnel who do have the means and responsibility of dealing with public nuisances.
I see this legislation quickly being abused at the expense of the people's lawful right to assemble. Without fair and reasonable safeguards, those in power will use it to quash events that they do not want occurring in particular locations simply because they do not want the particular type of event or associated audience around.
Consequences for violation of these laws are also arbitrary. While most of the document is fairly clear, this section is conveniently clouded in legalese. This seems intentional designed to obscure the intent to determine consequences at a whim, open to all sorts of bias.
The explicit exclusion granted for politicians in their event promotion efforts stands out. This is the only item that is blatantly sleazy. It shows that they are perfectly willing to force the law on others, but not willing to abide by it themselves. Perhaps because they realize that it could just as arbitrarily be applied to them. While it is not unusual for politicians to make convenient exceptions for themselves, that does not make it any less unethical.
The big question, however, is whether such legislation is even necessary in the first place. Is there really a significant enough problem with lousy promoters to justify the creation of new law? Poorly run events do happen, but it's pretty rare that events create major problems. Additionally, there is already a market force that weeds out these bad promoters. Word spreads. Venues and performers decline to do business with them and people decline to attend.
Please, let the council know that you do not approve of this legislation.
The Specials on Late Night - Videos
Last night the legendary 2 Tone act The Specials performed for the first time in the US in roughly 30 years. They were the musical guest on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, who seems to be fan. All but one of the original members have reunited. They played some UK reunion shows already and are now playing a few North American dates.
The Specials perform A Message To You Rudy on Late Night (April 13, 2010):
The Specials perform Little Bitch on Late Night (web exclusive) (April 13, 2010):
Ticket Giveaway! - Cherry Poppin' Daddies
Coming up on Friday, April 16th at the North Star Bar is the famous Cherry Poppin' Daddies, The Bullbuckers, and On Display. You can enter to win one of two pairs of tickets to the show courtesy of PhillySka.com and the North Star Bar!
So how do you enter? All that you have to do is post a reply on the wall of our Facebook event for the show. Do it by noon of this Monday, April 12th. Winners will be selected at random and notified via Facebook. Good luck!
Ticket Giveaway - The Wailers!
Courtesy of the Keswick Theatre, we have 2 pairs of tickets to the April 8th show featuring The Wailers! These reggae legends will be performing material spanning The Hippy Boys, The Upsetters, and Bob Marley & The Wailers. The tickets are valued at $25 each.
Want to win? Then act quickly. All that you have to do is post a reply to this thread on the PhillySka board, but the deadline is Monday, April 5th at noon EST. Good luck!
RX Bandits Ticket Giveaway - Act Quickly!
Courtesy of our friends at Live Nation, we have a last-minute ticket giveaway for you to this Sunday's (March 28) show at the TLA featuring the RX Bandits. Supporting them will be The Builders and the Butchers and Zechs Marquise. It's all ages.
Act fast though, because only the first 3 people who post a reply to this thread on the board will win!
Reunited Specials Hit The USA This Spring!
After playing a series of reunion gigs in the UK in 2009, the (nearly) reunited Specials are gearing up to hit the United States and Canada for a few dates. First, the band will be performing on NBC's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on April 13th. This will be followed by 2 California dates, 1 date in Toronto, and finally a show at Terminal 5 in NYC on April 21st.
The Specials spearheaded the 2 Tone label and movement. They have remained a huge influence to the ska genre as well as music in general. Surely there are many fans dying to see them live. Rumor has it they they are in the process of planning a full-fledged US tour for later in the year. Hopefully this is true and comes to fruition!
UPDATE 2/12/2010: Due to their April 21st NYC show selling out, a second NYC date at Terminal 5 has been added on April 20th.
Long Shot Hero - Reunion Show
One of our past locals rises from the grave this June 5th, 2010. Long Shot Hero will reuniting at the Crocodile Rock Cafe in Allentown, PA. They will be supported by the Spacepimps.
For those curious, this lineup consists of Chris Irons, Eric Jaber,Doug Life, Kaity Jaber, Joel Frederick, Matt Diamond, Anthony Hurrell, and Bob Gordon.
The band has graciously made their entire catalog available for free at PureVolume.com.