Unsung Pieces
Baltimore has been served its slice of attention pie as the 2008's Best Scene, according to Rolling Stone Magazine. From the "backyards" of rowhomes, some of its locals have taken to touring the world with their music and art.
The Downside of a D.I.Y. Scene
While Baltimore still carries the title of the Best Scene according to Rolling Stone, it’s not exempt from problems. In fact, some of the many venues in the Baltimore art and music community are fighting to stay in operation amid the obstacles that stand in the way of keeping the dream alive.More Money, Less Problems?
As always, money is an issue, especially for the smaller venues. They struggle to pay their rent, bills and licensing fees while trying to pay their workers. Some take to working with volunteers.
The Hexagon is a small, volunteer-run performance space in the Station North Arts District. It supports itself on a fraction of ticket sales and donations from its fans and volunteers.
Rams Head Live! is one of the larger clubs in Baltimore, and they are facing their own financial issues.
Derek Morrell, the club’s manager has a problem with the entertainment tax that has been placed on his venue. The tax tacks small amounts for the city and state onto the price of tickets and drinks and as a whole, resulting in customers spending more, while the venue’s profits don’t change.
Personal Problems
Evan Tanner is facing a different problem. As a fairly new owner of Fletchers Bar in Fells Point, he is working to accommodate the nearby residents.
“We’ve basically been trying to change the demographic for the neighborhood and also keep it the same kick-ass rock n roll venue it’s been,” said Tanner. “So it’s kinda like walking on a tightrope.”
“We’re trying to cater to a clientele that has come here forever, which is the younger, more rock and roll clientele and also some newer people that live in the neighborhood – generally sort of a 25-40 year old crowd with a little bit more money to spend. We’re trying to balance the two.”
John Trump, a member of FTB entertainment, expressed concern about the state of city and the protection of the citizens by uniformed policemen stationed at venues.
“There are only a few venues that have that blessing in the city,” he said at the community work session on April 16, 2009.
City Council Stirs Things Up
With the number of venues in Baltimore, each has got its own issues. The City Council has tried to take them into its own hands. They’ve introduced a bill (08-0163) in which a number of issues are to be addressed. In turn, they’ve created an entirely new issue for the performance spaces.
City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is sponsoring the bill in order to help manage the venues that are running illegally. Many performance space owners and artists see the bill as a major threat to Baltimore’s established do-it-yourself scene.
The intent of the bill is:
- to keep Baltimore residents in Baltimore for their live entertainment needs
- to better the current venues
- to protect the surrounding neighborhoods
- to enhance the venues by requiring them to develop a number of plans regarding security, traffic, parking and sanitation
By expelling the zoning system for live entertainment and replacing it with required licenses for venues wishing to provide live entertainment. With the establishment of a Board of Licenses for Live Entertainment, the residents would be given an opportunity to voice their complaints, if necessary.
One of its main concerns is the current establishment of entertainment venues in residential areas. The proposed licenses would allow for venues and restaurants to apply for a permit to allow live entertainment in those areas.
“It would be nice to allow more bars and restaurants to have live music, giving the opportunity for more local acts to grow a fan base,” said Morrell. “But this bill was not put in place for the people – it is purely the city trying to make more money.”
Despite its good intent, the venue and restaurant owners have no want for it at all. They have actually come together to show their opposition to the bill. They’ve formed a group called the Baltimore Live Arts Business Association (BLABA) and work in cooperation with the Baltimore Live Arts Supporters (BLAS).
Their basic stance is that things are already working out well and the changes that City Council is suggesting have the potential to destroy the golden status of Baltimore’s art community. BLABA and BLAS are working with city council to make sure that the legislation does not affect Baltimore’s scene in a negative way.
"The perception is they're going to be affected by it, but they're not," said City Councilman James B. Kraft of the currently established venues.
Josh Atkins, one of The Hexagon’s founders, is also a member of BLABA and BLAS.
“We are absolutely opposed to the bill, he said. “But we are trying to reshape it as best we can because the City Council has told us that there is no chance that the bill will not pass.”
Things aren’t going to go without fault, and Baltimore’s performance spaces might always face challenges – they’re good at building character. For a scene that already has a lot of it, the fight to overcome them could have a surprisingly colorful result. With hope, Baltimore will keep expanding its color palette, rather than fade into the black and white that its venue owners fear.