From Nita at Tillie's Bean

[ericcoleman]

Sorry this is such short notice, everyone, but the city of Minneapolis has decided that Tillie's Bean is in the same category as places like the Fine Line and other night clubs, and that we need to have an entertainment license in order to have live music here, or any kind of entertainment at all. We have been given a "cease and desist" order. Because of the expense of that license, Tillie's Bean will no longer have any performances here.

We feel very badly for all the musicians we have booked and for the music scene in general, as we have already heard of another band who just lost their regular weekly gig due to "the owner's decision to have no more live music" at the cafe where they were playing. We suspect the owner received the same letter from the city.

Minneapolis is obviously looking for more revenue and they want to get it from the little guys. We just can't do it. It does not seem to matter to the city that the musicians are unpaid, jamming, or that we never charge admission or a cover. It is just another law that was passed by greedy bureaucrats and is being enforced without intelligence.

If our situation changes, we will let everyone know. Until then, Tillie's Bean will go to "winter hours" and begin closing at 7 pm Monday through Saturday, 3 pm on Sunday.

Until then, best of luck with your music. And thank you for all the pleasure your music has provided for us here at Tillie’s Bean.

==============

So, no more Minneapolis shows for now, and I really wanted to do that show on my birthday ... damn.

Comments

[rmeidaking.livejournal.com]

I'm surprised they don't have multiple categories for this sort of thing. Most cities have a sliding scale based on occupancy rates, and assess based on number of performances per week times relative occupancy.

Personally, I hope they notice a drop in sales tax revenue, because this is going to encourage people to stay home, instead of going out to eat, drink, and buy stuff.

[mplsfish.livejournal.com]

I recently found out the city of Minneapolis also requires resterants to submit thier menu for aproval. What does that accomplish? It is just another effort to have TOTAL controle over every aspect of business. I hope there is an outcry over this. I expect the progressive movement will notice the total absence of live music.
I hope Tillies and other businesses affected will post thier letters for the customers to see. This shouldn't remain invisible.

[ravenclaw-eric.livejournal.com]

Lackwits.

It's like those stupid toll booths and ve-ry short toll roads they have around Chicago...all they do is jam things up on the road (I got caught in a jam for over an hour once, which, with a car I can't trust not to overheat, is No Fun At All) and generate, I'd guess, less revenue than a raise in the local gas tax of 1/10 cent per gallon.

[ericcoleman]

I can honestly say I have not had a problem with the toll roads in ages, and have not been stuck in traffic there for some years now and I drive into the Chicago area 5-10 times every year.

[ravenclaw-eric.livejournal.com]

You probably know the roads there better than I do. This was in 2003, when I was going to Pennsic War. When I came back, I swung south (to the accompaniment of loud, prolonged whining from my passenger; I ignored him, since _I_ was footing the bill for the whole goddamned trip and doing all the damn driving to-boot) and got on a side road, the 30, re-connecting with my interstate at Joliet.

[ericcoleman]

You were on 80 ... no one in their right minds tries to take 80 in that area during daylight hours ... you came back the right way

[emiofbrie.livejournal.com]

It's not the city, it's ASCAP. That's what the entertainment licence is, a licence from ASCAP that says you're pre-approved to to have live entertainment.

TECHNICALLY, the licence only covers artists under their umbrella, but ASCAP deliberately gives off the impression that they speak for everyone. Take a look at my LJ from last week for another example of this.

I was just talking to White Lesbian Rapper last night about the incident I posted in my LJ (WLR is registered with ASCAP). She was rather surprised at ASCAP's tactics. I suggested that she research the Creative Commons licence as an alternative.

[freeimprov.livejournal.com]

They charge a LOT for those ASCAP licenses, too. I sometimes play the Acadia, where they do not allow covers at all - original music only - in order to get around the ASCAP license.

Hmm... that might be an option for people like ericcoleman and gamerchick, if they have some openings.

[freeimprov.livejournal.com]

Grrr. I wonder what other places got hit? If they go after Tillie's, they could be going after every coffeehouse in town, with or without wi-fi.