mister_butch

Mr. Walsh,

Yesterday Boston Calling announced yet another festival in Government Center. Today, LiveNation has a monopoly over the booking and ticket sales of most of the city's venues. These two represent the worst of what Boston has to offer (along with Aerosmith) because 1) They're not local (unless you count Don Law's merged company which is a whole other argument about double standards) and 2) They only care about the $$$. It is becoming increasingly hard for bands in Boston to find ways to play without being pushed around by dumb rules such as "pay-to-play" or "you can't promote another gig within the next month in the city." Boston's arts scene is suffocating within the confines of the capitalist structure, which sees bands as marketing tools and money instead of human beings.

Basement shows are a part of Boston's history and after last year's "crackdown," many people simply decided to give up on the city and move because, among other reasons, obviously it's not giving 20-somethings the opportunities that a "world class city" supposedly does. Say a resident of the city wants to put on an event, but they lack the funds and corporate connections. What should be events for the community become events for those who can profit off it, and that really sucks for an area that is supposedly an arts hub.

So, here's the bulk of my question here: Community events such as the Allston DIY Fest ran into trouble last year when it became apparent that the Parks Commissioner had an incredibly petty, stereotyped bias against them -- going as far as to lying to the Boston Globe about "torn-up grass" and "too many people to handle." (Less than 250 people...which Pollack exaggerated to over 1000) After their permits were denied, they petitioned and got over 1500 signatures in all over online and physical petitions before having them reinstated and finally holding the festival in August.

Boston Hassle had also run into trouble last year after they weren't granted the permit to hold a community event in the same location and I hear they're hoping to be approved this year, with the Allston DIY Festival also in the early planning stages as well. Events like these are about community, culture, and art. NOT about money. In fact, most of those involved were either tricked into college and now have looming debt or could never afford it to begin with, therefore money is strapped for the arts community while Livenation continues to steamroll over everything.

**How will the permitting process be streamlined for these types of events and how can local music in general find more resources and performance space if the city continues to ignore it? How will the cabinet-level position of Arts and Culture Director help improve the current situation? **

Note: there is a difference between a party on Pratt Street and a show where residents have talked to neighbors and made it totally clear that they'll cut the sound if it becomes too much. You know, the neighborly thing to do.

Just wanted everyone to know that the transition team Arts report was released recently: http://www.cityofboston.gov/images_documents/Arts%20and%20Culture%20reduced_tcm3-44441.pdf