link to the signal radio piece & a request

[Raven Baker]

Hey all

Here's the radio piece about the legislation:
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wypr/.artsmain/article/14/347/1494582/The.Signal/Live.Arts.Legislation,.a.Bill.in.Flux/

Can those of you who made it to the work session yesterday please update the group on what was discussed/happened? I heard it wasn't well-attended and got testy.

thanks
Raven

--
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http://www.hexagonspace.com

[Keri Anne Griffith]

I think both of those things are true about last night's work session.

It was my first one, so I can't compare it to others.  But people who could compare it seemed to think it was far worse than the others. 

A lot of people repeatedly brought up "illegal" venues.  It got tedious.  I wished I could tell them to shut up or move on to another point because it was not helping our "cause."  But I also respect that everyone has a right to speak out. 

Still, I thought we weren't going to talk about all of that out loud and in front of so many people -- AND ON THE DAMN RECORD because these meetings are recorded.  And Jim Kraft said again to us that we are potentially shooting ourselves in the damn foot and we need to shut up & stop drawing so much attention to the issue of illegal spaces.

But whatever.  I have to get dressed for work so I can't update you very much sadly. 

The important things I learned were learned after the meeting while very briefly talking with joint Committee chairman Jim Kraft. 

1. The vote date has been rearranged for very benign reasons, and I'm satisfied they aren't playing hide the ball with that now.
2. The President's draft, the most recent one, is just that: the President's draft.  It's not agreed upon whatsoever by other Committee members.  Mr. Kraft frankly shared that he disagreed with Ms. S R-B about many things.  Sadly, he appears to disagree with her about some of the very points I agree with her about.  Thus, I've decided that, at least, my strategy will be to (a) PRAISE the parts of her draft that I like while (b) simultaneously raising all my problems & potential amendments/solutions to those problems. 
3. Mr. Kraft stated that although they will consider amendments all the way up to the day of the vote, he suggests getting any really meaty, substantive amendments in by the end of next week. 


That's all I learned that was important.  I thought Josh & Miguel did good jobs when they spoke.  They were succinct, and they made some good points.  I thought Guy (from Metro & BLABA) did a good job of driving the hard line aka stating that they would test the bill in Court ASAP should it pass.  And Adam from Wham City did a pretty good job as well. 

But the Council members were frustrated with the repeated sentiment that we don't trust them or what they say their intentions are.  That tactic did NOT go over well.  It seems better to say, "we believe your intentions are good, BUT have you thought about how this section could be unfairly applied and have you thought about the longterm negative implications of this legislation on the arts?"

I was frustrated with B. Shupe for talking about how unfair it is to treat illegal or noncommercial or nonprofit venues differently than hard-working, tax-paying bars/venues, i.e. why are they coming down so hard on restaurants & taverns.  It was funny though that Jim Kraft responded by stating, "Yes, Mr. Shupe.  This is all about picking on you."  Or something like that.  I knew Brian felt this way.  It just continues to make me uncomfortable. 

It was tense when Kelly Ann accidentally called S R-B by her first name & S R-B called her out on being disrespectful & asked to be referred to as Madame President or Mrs. R-B or something else I can't recall.  I mean, I know that's how you refer to people like that properly, but it was just weird and it made S R-B look bad cause she got so worked up about it.  I hadn't even registered that Kelly Ann made an honest mistake and called her "Stephanie" until S R-B drew everyone's attention to it.  That was certainly a tense few moments.

It was also funny to watch in moments when S R-B was probably misstating the law & A. Smullien would get really nervous.  He'd want to talk but he couldn't.  You could see he wasn't sure if he should get up, walk over, & tell her she should correct herself or if he should pretend she wasn't wrong and hope noone would notice.  He was tapping his foot madly.  I'm glad I don't have his job. 


Aaaaanyway, I have to go!!!  I'm totally gonna be late for work!!


keri

[The8x10]

On Apr 17, 3:56 pm, Keri Anne Griffith <lethadama...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> I was frustrated with B. Shupe for talking about how unfair it is to treat
> illegal or noncommercial or nonprofit venues differently than hard-working,
> tax-paying bars/venues, i.e. why are they coming down so hard on restaurants
> & taverns.  It was funny though that Jim Kraft responded by stating, "Yes,
> Mr. Shupe.  This is all about picking on you."  Or something like that.  I
> knew Brian felt this way.  It just continues to make me uncomfortable.
>

> keri
>
Why are you frustrated? Do you disagree?
And let's set the record straight please.

Non profits can certainly be exempt. I do not have a problem with
that. Show your 501(c) paperwork and no problem.
I seriously doubt that applies but to one or two venues in the city.

Please define Non-Commercial? I would assume it means you are not
collecting money in anyway. Otherwise you are for profit just like
everyone else.

Look...I bought The 8x10 because I love music. that is the only
reason.
We are not a bar that has music on the side. WE ONLY DO MUSIC.
no food, not open during the day, JUST MUSIC.

IF I COULD DO IT WITHOUT THE BAR I WOULD. I HATE DRUNKS! HATE EM.

BUT I can't.

That doesn't make The 8x10 evil or capitalistic. And it doesn't make
me any less into music or the music scene or the community
than anyone else.

I have 15 employees with kids and houses and car payments that look to
ME to put a paycheck in front of them.
If you don't think I am going to defend my business you just don't get
it. All that responsibility lies with my wife and I and I am not going
to be the one that lets my employees down.

If you can honestly say that it is fair that Station North Arts
District is exempt from A&A tax while I pay over $25,000 a year....
If you can honestly say it is fair that the underground venues get to
operate without Fire Inspections, Health Inspections, Insurance, etc
etc etc.....
If you can honestly say that is would be fair that this bill should
only apply to taverns, restaurants, and dance halls.......
If you can honestly say that I don't compete with small venues for
open mic and 5 bands for $5 bucks level business......

If you can say that then you aren't looking at this objectively.

I pay over $146,000 in FEES AND TAXES every year.
I have borrowed $100,000 a year since I opened The 8x10.
So I guess I am a non-profit or non-commercial as well right?
Since I have lost money every year since I bought it?
WE ARE NOT MAKING MONEY!
I AM 2 MONTHS BEHIND ON MY MORTGAGE!
IF THE 8x10 FAILS I STILL HAVE TO PAY THE LOANS BACK!

I know this group is for supporters, artists and the like, but you
need to look at the whole picture and understand there are other sides
to it.
People think running a venue is all piles of money and piles of coke
in the back rooms.
It's not. It is a constant fight a constant struggle to stay alive.

I have never uttered a word about shutting down the underground
venues.
If this bill dies then I am ok with the current status quo.
BUT if this bill passes, and the city council is going ON THE RECORD
saying they are not going to enforce it against underground venues
(which would now be legal)
Then I am not ok with that.

This bill is unfair that it targets only restaurants and taverns and
dance halls.

[Keri Anne Griffith]

Brian,

I'm sorry that I put my discomfort about your commentary on the board because honestly, it makes me a bit embarrassed now.  It was probably an unnecessary addition to public conversation. 

I mean, I am just another nobody girl/woman who gives a shit.  I just happen to have a law degree that I am sadly not yet licensed to put to real use.  I just happen to play music and to come from generations of hard-working musicians.  I just happen to live in a warehouse apartment where shows happen sometimes.  I just happen to volunteer at a place like the Hexagon.  And I just happen to also work at Dionysus where I am trying to help bring more live entertainment to the table. 

I am trying, personally, to look at every perspective.  I feel like my fingers are in so many bowls of cookie dough that I can come close to seeing each of these perspectives. 

I know Dionysus isn't as much a venue as 8x10.  But it is both a bar and a restaurant, and we do have entertainment there so Dio would have to get a live entertainment license should this pass.  I don't own Dio.  I can't understand your perspective that closely, but Lynn, the owner, is family to me at this point.  I love her.  I listen to how HARD it is to keep afloat all the damn time, especially with the economy in a rut these last many months.  And I care.  Ask her if you know her.  I really, really care. 

I am trying to see things from the eyes of the performer, the audience member, the warehouse space, the restaurant, the bar, the small venue barely paying rent, etc etc etc.

And I fully support you looking out for your own interests.  I hope you can also respect that I am trying to care about this from many different perspectives.

However, when it comes to BLAS, much like you've said to me about BLABA, my personal perspective isn't necessarily on the table.  When it comes to BLAS, I am trying to represent "supporters" and their concerns.  And sometimes those concerns are in conflict with the concerns of other stakeholders. 

Politics suck.  It's impossible to make everyone happy!!  So we all push and pull and push and pull on the people who matter and try to get at least some things to go our way.  

From the beginning, I thought we all foresaw the possibility of conflict between the 2 perspectives.  I thought that was why there were 2 distinct groups. 

I am not personally perturbed by your perspective, Brian.  I think what you are doing with 8x10 is righteous and honorable, and I feel certain it sucks to have to worry about paying your employees and idiotic drunk people and fees and taxes and so much more just to have the chance to support music!!  I feel for you.  I totally do.  I feel for Lynn and for you and for Sarah and for Russel and for Josh/Miguel/Karl/Carlos and for so many people.

When I said I was frustrated.  I really meant that I have a hard time understanding how the 2 agendas work together.  I am honestly trying to find a way for this bill to have the least intrusive impact on as many interested and concerned parties as possible.  But damn consensus is hard.  And damn I just don't think there's a way to make everyone happy with this.  Maybe the answer is "there should be no bill."  Period.  End of story.  But now that S R-B's draft threw on the table the possibility of legitimizing spaces (at least as far as zoning is concerned) that I do believe deserve to continue existing, I am lost. 

I can see the utility in protecting the spaces that are less on the radar. 
I can see how utterly ridiculous it is to add another layer of beauracracy and fees to businesses like yours that already have to go through so much shit to exist. 

I can't see a solution yet.  So yes, I am frustrated.  Not really with you.  I'm frustrated with trying to figure out what I really think is best generally and for all of us.  And I am frustrated with trying to not only care about all concerned parties but also with trying to care specifically about the parties represented by BLAS -- the supporters. 

Your comments rang true to me.  It added yet one more layer to the argument forming in my head. 
It's frustrating because you're right not because you're wrong.  It's frustrating because I can't see a way to look out for hard-working, tax-paying businesses and more obscure artists and performers who might not have a shot at playing places like the one you run should smaller venues be indirectly eradicated.

It was naive of me to think that just because you have a bigger venue that you are in the "green" enough to be able to afford yet another license.  I should have realized on my own that this isn't necessarily the case.  I have personal knowledge of the financial difficulties of other spaces.  I don't know why I would have assumed that places like 8x10 were somehow immune from those troubles.  But honestly, that's what I'd been assuming.  I'd assumed you could afford it, that you were very successful, that exempting those places I KNOW can't afford this would be ok. 

So thanks for being so open about how hard it really is.  I wish I could say it made me have new, great ideas about how to solve all of this.  But right now I just feel discouraged.  I hope I get over that feeling quickly and get to work on something I can actually do to help. 

With respect & sincerity,

Keri

[The8x10]

Keri,
You response was very thoughtful and well written.
I truthfully respect the honesty and candor.
Integrity is the single most quality I respect in a person and you
exhibit it here in spades.


The only thing I would point out is that you say Dionysus is not as
much of a venue as The 8x10.

I disagree. Anywhere that does music for a living is equal in the eyes
of the performer and the audience.
Or it should be.

I am extremely frustrated as well.
I agree the best solution for now is to kill the bill.
I suggest that the city create the office of hospitality, 1st order of
business is to repeal the entertainment tax.
then if a license system needs to be implemented that the office work
to create a smart law instead of a slap together job.

The problem we have here is the one that is keeping Baltimore a
tertiary market.
Baltimore is a city of US and THEM.

I don't understand why.
I don't understand why bands are cool enough to make the short list if
they play uptown but if they play at The 8x10 they aren't worth
mention.
I don't understand why the only way to get mentioned by our flagship
alternative print media is if the band can be put down by them or if
they are so cool the paper can hold it over their readers heads to
show them how cool the paper is.
I don't understand why there is such a cultural barrier between the
world of the "Underground Scene" and the world of the above ground
scene.
This city is divided instead of united.

This bill could have been the catalyst that brought together ALL of
our scenes and really galvanized Baltimore Music.
instead it is driving wedges further into the scene.

4 years ago when my wife and I bought The 8x10 I sent some emails out
to the other venue owners asking if they wanted to set up a round-
table evening where we could try and find ways to help each other.
I envision a city where we CHANGE the music business.

My mom made the best roast. Unbelievable. Moist. Tender. The most
amazing thing.
I asked for the recipe.
Take 2 pound Eye Round and cut 2 inches off the Butt end.
Rub with garlic salt pepper lemon juice and cumin
tent with foil and cook for 4 hours at 350 and then untent for 30min
at 450

It is awesome.

Later I talked to my chef friend and he wondered what cutting off the
2 inches did.
I tried to research through Alton Brown, Cooks illustrated etc.

Finally I asked my mom.
She didn't know either, she just knew that was the way her mom did it.
We called her mother.
She didn't know either, but it was the way her mother did it. It was
her recipe.
So we called HER mother who was still alive but in the nursing home.
She said she cut off the 2 inches because her pan wasn't big enough to
fit the whole roast in.

And that is what happens when people just keep doing things the way
they were done before.
We don't have to do that.

I envision a city where any band that wants to play gets routed to the
room that is right for them stylistically and right for the size of
their audience.
I envision a city where sleazy promoters don't intimidate bands. I
envision a city where bands can book through whomever they want.
I envision a city where venues help each other by creating multi venue
events monthly so people can see all the places to hear music in the
city.
I envision a city where FREE shows happen more often then not because
people support the venues that throw them.
I envision a city where venues earn the trust of the bands and the
bands understand the needs of the venues and respect the work they do.

There is no reason why we can't do something different in this town.
A venue is so much bigger then pushing beer across a bar for $6.50 a
piece.

There is no reason we can't do better music festivals by pooling the
efforts of ALL the venues in town.

This bill is bad.
this bill needs to be defeated.
We need to work together to defeat it
then we need to work together to repeal the A&A tax.
EVEN IF YOUR VENUE DOESN'T PAY THE TAX.
WE ARE ONLY POWERFUL IF WE STICK TOGETHER.

I am glad that you appreciate our side to this. I am not mad that you
are torn on what to think or how to shape the bill effectively.
And I want you to know I have no intention of hurting the status quo.
regardless of the bill passing or failing.
I do want there to be more music in Baltimore.
But I see it happening by getting more people to come out to music not
by creating more venues and more music for the same amount of people
spending the same amount of money.
The only way *that* is going to work is if the venues overheads are
cut so it is cheaper to run a venue.

[Dominique]

YES!!! yes yes yes...

 You say that, all of it, Tuesday! Please come!

That’s the whole damn point of the event! that 2 inches of roast butt needs saving!

 

I have organized a panel of many brilliant minds to talk about the creative city and the importance of exploring the local efforts to make Baltimore the city everyone envisions!

STOP ALL THE US AND THEM!  There is going to be a huge amount of time for questions/ comments from the audience! Hopefully this will bring some stuff above ground so that it can get the respect and enjoyment it deserves from everyone.

Also there will be a few performances as well!

 

Perhaps this open forum could be a catalyst for the change you’re talking about! If not this one, maybe we should do more festivals and events..

-Dominique 

[Geoff Graham]

Brian,

I just wanted to thank you for sharing your perspective. I am encouraged by what seems to be an opposition to this bill coming from almost everyone I've talked to.

That is all,
Geoff

On Sun, Apr 19, 2009 at 6:41 PM, The8x10 <brian...@gmail.com> wrote: