[Dixielandjazz] Philadelphia Cracks Down on Buskers

[Rob McCallum]

I think this is part of a trend in cities that are gentrifying.  Wealthy 
people spend big bucks to move into hip urban centers because of the vibe 
and atmosphere, but then complain about the noise.

I know this is an issue in New York.  I went to a club in Manhattan not long 
ago and there were signs outside reminding those waiting to get in to be 
quiet as it was located in a "residential" area.  With the growth of luxury 
condos in urban centers, the high real estate values are not only pressing 
small music venues to close (CBGBs for instance), but also bring in whiny 
residents that complain about noise.   My personal opinion is, if people 
really wanted peace and quiet, why move to Manhattan or Center City 
Philadelphia?

There's a trendy neighborhood here in metro Detroit called Royal Oak.  
Though primarily residential, it has a bustling center area with lots of 
restaurants, clubs, theaters, and a lot of people out on the streets.  Over 
the past few years, there have been a bunch of "luxury lofts" built to 
attract affluent "arty" types.  One thing about Royal Oak is there's a major 
train line that runs right through it.  The sound of the train whistles etc. 
add to the character of the neighborhood.  Well, some guy who bought one of 
these overpriced lofts next to the train tracks tried to sue to stop the 
trains from going by at night because he couldn't sleep!

All the best,
Rob McCallum


>From: Steve Barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net>
>To: Rob McCallum <rakmccallum at hotmail.com>
>CC: Dixieland Jazz Mailing List <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
>Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Philadelphia Cracks Down on Buskers
>Date: Sun, 01 Jul 2007 20:39:53 -0400
>
>Hey Elazar:
>
>Don't come to Philadelphia and expect top play on the streets. The police
>are taking a dim view of street musicians. If they are arresting classical
>flute players, jazz banjoists should really beware. :-) VBG
>
>Funny thing about the singer also mentioned in this article is that
>Rittenhouse Square has summer concerts sponsored by the local jazz radio
>station. I've played several but was never arrested by the police.
>
>Maybe they were placing them under "musical" arrest? Musicians joke line
>said to a fellow band mate that throws in a sappy quote while improvising.
>Like; "You're under musical arrest".
>
>Cheers,
>Steve Barbone
>
>Sunday, July 1, 2007
>
>Flutist sues city over his arrest for playing music on street corner
>By Robert Moran - Philadelphia Inquirer Staff Writer.
>
>A 65-year-old classical flutist has sued the city for violating his civil
>rights when he was arrested in March for playing his flute at a Center City
>corner.
>
>Felix Wilkins alleges in his complaint that he was playing the flute around
>4 p.m. at the corner of 18th and Chestnut Streets on March 28 when Police
>Officer Scott Wallace ordered him to stop.
>
>Wilkins "asserted his right to play a musical instrument on the public
>streets of Philadelphia," the suit says.
>
>The officer then arrested Wilkins for disorderly conduct, handcuffed him,
>and transported him to a police station where he was "detained for an
>extended period" and then released with a citation.
>
>On May 7, Municipal Court Judge Gerard Kosinski dismissed the case. Noted
>civil-rights attorney Paul Messing filed the lawsuit for Wilkins a week
>later.
>
>Wilkins' arrest came one day after police arrested Anthony Riley, 20, for
>singing in Rittenhouse Square. He also was charged with disorderly conduct
>and has a court date next week.
>
>The Riley arrest was part of a controversial crackdown by police on
>musicians and performers in Rittenhouse Square based on complaints from
>nearby residents.
>
>City Solicitor Romulo Diaz, responding to an outcry from some who called 
>the
>Rittenhouse Square crackdown extreme and an infringement of freedom of
>speech, said this week that he will take comments next month in an effort 
>to
>reach a compromise.
>
>Diaz declined to comment on the lawsuit.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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