[Dixielandjazz] Philadelphia Cracks Down on Buskers

[Robert S. Ringwald]

Kinda like people who move next to an airport and then complain because the 
airplanes fly over...


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rob McCallum" <rakmccallum at hotmail.com>
To: "Bob Ringwald" <robert at ringwald.com>
Cc: <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Monday, July 02, 2007 6:55 AM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Philadelphia Cracks Down on Buskers


>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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