Stop the Promoter's Ordinance!!!!

Please go to SaveChicagoCulture.org and sign the petition!

Imagine a Chicago with no Metro or Double Door or Schuba’s. Imagine a Chicago with no Royal George or Bailiwick or Athenaeum. Imagine a Chicago where local music is only heard in the suburbs and theater is limited to Wicked and Jersey Boys.
Scary thoughts. But if the City of Chicago’s City Council doesn’t hear your voice by Wednesday, May 14, they’ll become reality.
On that date the council will vote to approve an ordinance that has the power to stifle creativity in Chicago’s musical, theatrical, and general cultural scenes. With no public discourse or commentary, this proposal has been approved by the City Council Committee and is on the fast track to be pushed into law. It is up to us to let our elected officials know that Chicago’s creative scene is too rich, too varied, and too vital to be regulated in such a blanket fashion.
The details:
The “Event Promoters” ordinance requires any event promoter to have a license from the city of Chicago and liability insurance of $300,000, but that’s just the start:
The definition of “event promoter” is so loosely defined it could apply to a band that books its own shows or a theater company that’s in town for a one-week run.
“Event Promoter” must be licensed and will pay $500 - $2000 depending on expected audience size.
To get the license, applicant must be over 21, get fingerprinted, submit to a background check, and jump over several other hurdles.
This ordinance seems targeted towards smaller venues, since those with 500+ permanent seats are exempt.
Police must be notified at least 7 days in advance of event.
For the complete ordinance, check out Jim DeRogatis’ blog on the Chicago Sun-Times.
We are collecting signatures to present to the council voicing our opposition to this ordinance. YOUR VOICE IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE CHICAGO’S CULTURAL SCENE CONTINUES TO THRIVE. Please leave a comment as your expression of disapproval. These will be presented to the City Council and to all Chicago Aldermen prior to Wednesday’s vote.
Thank you for helping to protect Chicago’s Culture.

Songza is awesome!

At least 46 times per day, you get an irresistible urge to hear some random song -- but just because you have an inexplicable yen for "Informer" doesn't mean you want to pay Snow royalties. Get your fix for free, with Songza.

Founded by two Chicago guys, Songza's a free, 28,000,000-song Internet jukebox jam packed with studio recordings, live tracks, mashups, and covers (sometimes you want AC/DC's "You Shook Me...", sometimes you want to clear a room by playing Celine Dion's). Peruse by title/artist, and Songza'll nab 50 responses you can either spin instantly, or add to a save-able playlist you can return to as often as you'd like -- ensuring your work compiling Top Gun Soundtrack (minus "Beach Volleyball Song") won't vanish into the digital ether. As a tune plays, Songza links to the artist's website, lists "other artists you might like", and directs you to YouTubes; to spread the love, email a song directly thru the site, or cut & paste your personal Songza url and send out your entire playlist to that poor friend whose recent obscure brain injury left him devoid of personal musical taste.

Songza'll soon allow you to include friends in your profile, giving them anytime access to music you respect so much, paying for it would only cheapen its artistic integrity.

Listen to all the music at Songza.com;

Rock Challenge

This is fun. Feel like wasting some time today? Challenge your no-it-all-rockfriends to And Great Lyrics Quiz Rock Roll The (get it?) challenge to see if you can identify 50 "well-known" rock songs when their lyrics are listed alphabetically.

Try it!

http://www.themorningnews.org/archives/diversions/and_great_lyrics_quiz_rock_roll_the.php