wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Comments

• [1] O from NYC July 14, 2008 - 11:47AM

  Bring back can can dancers. Dancing is good for the body and the soul.

  We need more places to dance in Queens that are classy.

  
  
• [2] Stephen O'Brien from Cortlandt Manor, NY July 14, 2008 - 11:48AM

  Could your guest please comment on the Cotillo Act and it's role as a precursor to current laws?

  
  
• [3] Doug from Williamsburg July 14, 2008 - 11:50AM

  A promoter's perspective...

  The cabaret laws, like so many regulations governing bars and other nightlife establishments, are utilized selectively by the police to harrass owners, promoters, artists, and patrons when no other grounds are available.

  Even with their removal, the police will continue to selectively enforce whatever obscure codes they choose.

  Real education and reform is needed so that the police department does not immediately treat nightlife with hostility.

  
  
• [4] Mary Ann B. from Elizabeth NJ July 14, 2008 - 11:52AM

  Some friends and I went to see the Smithereens at Kenny's Kastaways in 1980. We started dancing by our table and one of the employees quickly came over and told us "You can't dance here". We were astounded, having never heard of not being allowed to dance to a live band. I thought it was just an oddity regarding Kenny's Kastaways. My intoxicated friend, walking back to our car, announced to several passers-by, "You can't dance at Kenny's Kastaways"!!!

  
  
• [5] Dwayne from Prospect Heights July 14, 2008 - 11:52AM

  I thought cabaret licenses were there to make the city money since the liquor license is money paid to the state. Is that true?

  
  
• [6] O from NYC July 14, 2008 - 11:52AM

  I love to go to bars and dance and drink till 2am 3x a week. It is fun but I don't like to go to the bar, dance and then be told we can't dance b/c caberet license restrictions.

  I love to drink and dance.

  
  
• [7] Laurence from Manhattan July 14, 2008 - 11:53AM

  I remember during the debate over this issue when Giuliani was in office centered around the influence of club owners who had cabaret licenses, were arguing against unfair competition from bars with dance spaces that didn't have the license. They put enormous pressure on the Giuliani admin to enforce the law. Do your guests have any info on this?

  
  
• [8] Ross Bonadonna from Brooklyn July 14, 2008 - 11:53AM

  Didn't Merce Cunningham make it clear enough that dance is in the heart? what degree of motion, repetitive? related to the pulse of music? shall they declare illegal?

  
  
• [9] James Wtorkowski from work July 14, 2008 - 11:56AM

  The bars and DJs are businesses and dont care about the residents dont want all of the noise, after midnight and the garbage and fights that the community has to deal with not the owners of the bars.

  
  
• [10] O from NYC July 14, 2008 - 11:56AM

  People having fun is illegal to some people.

  
  
• [11] licnyc July 14, 2008 - 11:56AM

  DJ REKHA!! Shes awesome. Bhangra basement!

  
  
• [12] Robert from NYC July 14, 2008 - 11:57AM

  there you go, ONE caller and his call outweighs the rest of the argument. Dancing and drugs do not go hand in had. As the caller said many small bars in the East Village were closed because cops harassed and closed the bars when the walked in a found as few as 2 people dancing to the juke box. that's the problem.

  
  
• [13] Paul from East Village July 14, 2008 - 11:57AM

  Should we have to go out and get drunk and listen to boring chatter?

  They need to bring back music to this boring city of drunks. East Village rots with drunks smoking.

  People should dance and bring back turntables to the East Village.

  It's Guiliani's Gestapo tactics that shut down the clubs.

  
  
• [14] KC from NYC July 14, 2008 - 11:58AM

  If they succeed in getting rid of these laws, New York will finally be a cooler place than the fictitious midwestern town in "Footloose". Hooray!

  
  
• [15] Seth from Astoria July 14, 2008 - 11:58AM

  Now I gotta cut Loose, Footloose. How does Kevin Bacon Feel about this?

  
  
• [16] ARW0011 July 14, 2008 - 11:59AM

  this is the issue that got me paying attention to politics. When Mayor guliani started enforcing this law during his war on quality of life i was at the point in my life where i was going out every night. There were hundreds of the most wonderfully diverse small events at every little bar. You didnt need to pull a thousand people to justify a party. You could go out and dance to every sort of music it was beautiful.

  
  
• [17] Richard Winsten from Westchester July 14, 2008 - 01:33PM

  FYI, in 2006 Local 802 of the Musicians Union succeeded in lobbying for legislation that eliminated the State admission tax on mixed food and performance venues ( see below ). The union convinced lawmakers that jazz clubs and others would apply what formerly went to the State to paying pension contributions for performers.

  LAWS OF NEW YORK, 2006

  CHAPTER 279

  AN ACT to amend the tax law, in relation to exempting from sales taxes

  imposed by or pursuant to the authority of article 28 or 29 of the tax

  law a portion of the amount paid as the charge of a roof garden,

  cabaret or other similar place in respect of admission

  Became a law July 26, 2006, with the approval of the Governor.

  Passed by a majority vote, three-fifths being present.

  
  
• [18] Greg from Upper East Side July 15, 2008 - 12:15AM

  I'm amazed how any politician can let these racist laws remain on the books