mik-e_smilez Posted July 31 Report Share Posted July 31 THIS IS WHY IT'S ILLEGALTO DANCEIN MOST PLACES IN NEW YORK CITYThe city began a system in Prohibition-era 1926 to control entertainment inclubs. All clubs were required to obtain a cabaret license to operate,which remains a labyrinthine process controlled entirely by the city. It'swidely believed that the city was legislating in the view that the originsof jazz music and dancing in black culture were a moral degradation.The law states that an establishment must be licensed if the club featuresthree or more musicians, or if any of the instruments is percussion orbrass, or if there is three or more people moving in synchronized fashion.Nightclubs are also restricted in zoning, meaning cabaret licenses are onlygranted to venues in major commercial centers, industrial or manufacturingdistricts, effectively making it illegal to dance in any residential area.The permit process is long, costly and uncertain. Approval is required fromthe Department of Consumer Affairs, the NYC Planning Department, the FireDepartment, Buildings Departments and local community boards, among others,all of whom work independently from each other.In the late eighties, after a decade long legal battle, the courts declaredthe three musician rule unconstitutional and accepted live music in zoneswhere bars and restaurants are permitted. But nothing was done to lift thestigma of dancing.In 1997 Rudy Guiliani created the multi-agency Nightclub Enforcement TaskForce to crack down on clubs as part of his "Quality of Life" campaign.Deputy Mayor Rudy Washington goes on the record stating, ""We've beenclosing down these little buckets of blood (nightclubs) for about threeyears and paralyzing them." Coney Island High, Baby Jupiter, Hogs &Heifers, Vain, Rivertown Lounge and Lakeside Lounge are just a few of theplaces that have been fined or padlocked for illegal dancing.A survey by Audience Research and Analysis reports that approximately 24.3million people come to NYC's music and dance clubs per year, exceeding thecombined attendance of Broadway theaters, city sports teams, theMetropolitan Museum of Art, and the Empire State Building-while 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 lessthan 300 places where patrons can legally dance. That's 300 places for 24.3million people. You are not allowed to dance to the jukebox or DJ at yourlocal bar. You are not allowed to move to the rock band or jazz act at yourneighborhood club.Dancing is a right, not some unsafe or dangerous action that need belicensed or regulated by a legislative body. Indeed the act of dancing issimply the physical expression of emotion, which much like verbalexpression, need not ever be controlled or limited. This does not mean wedon't support strict compliance with all fire safety codes, capacitynumbers, noise ordinances, alcohol and drug laws, only that the act ofdancing never be restrained in any manner.NYC has made an invaluable contribution to global music culture with itsrenowned music, musicians, and clubs - from jazz to disco, salsa to house,rock to hip-hop. Dance music culture and nightlife has brought untoldmillions of dollars to the city and its coffers. It is wrong that thecabaret laws stifle these cultural treasures, inhibit artistic expressions,and discourage the economic development of New York City nightlife.http://onomatopoeik.comhttp://infornography.org Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charrails Posted July 31 Report Share Posted July 31 its so ridiculous if you think about it...after all, their logic is that its easier to get a license to serve ALCOHOL (a drug) than it is to get a license to provide a dance floor..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bionic Posted July 31 Report Share Posted July 31 Where's Kevin Bacon when we need him so that he can rid the city of these stupid laws.Is that Kenny Loggins I hear in the backround?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mugwump Posted July 31 Report Share Posted July 31 Anyone up for a permanent relocation to Europe?I hear Prauge is the shit!anyone....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silente Posted July 31 Report Share Posted July 31 Originally posted by mugwump Anyone up for a permanent relocation to Europe?I hear Prauge is the shit!anyone....? Seriously. What century are we living in, anyway?? What's next - burning witches? Jesus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mik-e_smilez Posted July 31 Author Report Share Posted July 31 Originally posted by silente Seriously. What century are we living in, anyway?? What's next - burning witches? Jesus Hmmmm sounds like a possible platform for NYC mayor candidate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wackydream Posted July 31 Report Share Posted July 31 you know, i read this somewhere that holland has half the number of heroin addicts and less people using other drugs than ths US (percentage-wise considering the population size). and they have 18+ everything, alcohol, pot, shrooms, all that stuff readily availaible and regulated (? im not sure about this one, but i think its regulated). and here we are debating moral implications of dancing...i dont know, but something tells me that the US is living in the ancent times, esp. considering that most civilized countries allow their 18 year olds to take responsibility for their foolishness. but no, wait, an 18 year old in the US can vote, smoke, and be tried as an adult and die if the supreme court sees so fit. lovely, aint it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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