Music Notes

Down, bylaw!

Publication title: Vue Weekly
Page: 13
Publication date: June 21, 2001
Document type: Opinion
Article author: Wayne Arthurson
Transcribed by: MW


Think the proposed amendments to the rave bylaw are directed solely at raves and after-hours culture? Think again. These amendments, which would see anybody under the age of 18 kicked out of any music event after the midnight hour, could have an effect on the presentation of all-ages punk rock shows or, indeed, any other general-admission event around town.

"Having read the amendment to the bylaw, it's so all-encompassing that it could basically cover any event," says Nhaelan MacMillan of B.A.D. Concert Productions. "It doesn't just focus on raves and it doesn't just focus on after-hours clubs. It's focuses basically on any event that has dancing, and it can be argued that a mosh pit is a form of dance, depending on how far you take it."

MacMillan says the bylaw's logic, in its present form, is flawed. “If you're doing a general admission show, like at Red's or something," he explains, "that might be down at one o'clock. You can't stop in the middle in a band's set and say, ‘It's now 12 o'clock, anybody under the age of 18 please leave.’” The city, he says, has to amend the club bylaw to address the issue of after-hours clubs and set up certain rules for their operation. Then they have to set up a separate bylaw for raves, something Calgary has already done.

MacMillan doesn't believe the bylaw, as it stands, will pass. But just in case, here's how you can make your voice heard and fight City Hall:

1. Attend the rally and dance on Sunday, June 24 in front of City Hall. (It starts at 3 p.m.)

2. Head over to the Right to Dance Coalition website at wvw.etownravepage.com/rightto-dance and sign the on-line petition.

3. Contact the Citizen Action Centre at 496-8200 and express your displeasure.

4. Phone Mayor Bill Smith (496-8100) and wannabe mayor Robert Noce (496-8333) and express your displeasure.

Do all four if you can, but doing just one will have an effect as well.