{"id":3650,"date":"2013-10-14T16:25:20","date_gmt":"2013-10-14T16:25:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lbpost.com\/articles\/life\/music\/op-ed-why-music-friendly-policies-will-benefit-the-city-of-long-beach\/"},"modified":"2013-10-14T16:25:20","modified_gmt":"2013-10-14T16:25:20","slug":"op-ed-why-music-friendly-policies-will-benefit-the-city-of-long-beach","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/hi-lo\/music\/op-ed-why-music-friendly-policies-will-benefit-the-city-of-long-beach","title":{"rendered":"OP-ED: Why Music Friendly Policies Will Benefit the City of Long Beach"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

L.A. band Best Coast plays at Fingerprints on Record Store Day. Photo by Angela Ratzlaff<\/em><\/p>\n

By Eric Gray <\/strong><\/p>\n

Plato once said, \u201cMusic is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.\u201d <\/p>\n

Here in Long Beach, we have the basic framework of a vibrant music scene with existing music venues scattered across the city.  These venues include the Long Beach Arena, Harvelle’s, Fingerprints, Alex\u2019s Bar, Que Sera, The Prospector, Auld Dubliner, Clancy\u2019s, DiPiazza\u2019s, Madhaus, and Gallaghers, among many others. We also have a blog dedicated to the local music scene called L<\/a>ong Beach Independent<\/a>, created by cofounder of the newly formed Long Beach Music Council, Shea Newkirk. Hundreds, possibly thousands, of local musicians call Long Beach their home.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, what we may have in venues, local talent and possibilities, we lack in clearly defined music friendly policies that are essential in order to establish a more vibrant music scene. There is tremendous opportunity for the City of Long Beach to set forth policies so that our music scene may evolve and flourish.<\/p>\n

Why Enhance Our Music Scene<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

There are a variety of reasons why I believe Long Beach should set a course to enhance our music scene.  First and foremost, doing so would create a more enriching experience for the mass of music lovers that live in, work in, or visit Long Beach. Second, enhancing our music scene would be an additional way to grow our local economy. Music-friendly policies could benefit not only local musicians and music venues, but adjacent businesses designed to cater to the wide variety of needs of patrons. In addition, it\u2019s no secret that here in Long Beach, there are people who suffer from poverty and lack of jobs. We should introduce clearly defined policies that will help spur private job creating investments in business districts plagued by empty storefronts. <\/p>\n

The Los Angeles Factor<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

Being 30 miles from Hollywood, the epicenter of the entertainment industry, could be utilized to our advantage. With thousands of musicians located within the Los Angeles area, I believe a number of these musicians would be more than willing to perform in Long Beach if they knew we supported music and have a thriving music scene.<\/p>\n

The Long Beach Factor<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

Our city should not be one that lives in the shadow of LA.  We are a walkable, bikeable city with beautiful living spaces, homes, tourism, and the waterfront.  Already established and up-and-coming business districts could benefit from the growth of a vibrant music scene. A Renaissance in Long Beach is in full swing due to the passionate community interest in helping to revitalize the city. It’s time the City’s policies reflected and embraced the organic music scene that already exists. <\/p>\n

\"prospectormusic\"<\/p>\n

A Fugazi cover band plays at The Prospector, one of the few venues in the city that consistently hosts shows for local bands. Photo by Sarah Bennett.<\/em><\/p>\n

Long Beach Municipal Code <\/i><\/strong>Governing Music<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

The Long Beach Municipal Code governs music within a subsector of entertainment activity buried further under \u201cREGULATION OF BUSINESSES, TRADES AND PROFESSIONS.\u201d It doesn\u2019t distinguish whether a possible venue is located within the downtown entertainment and dining district or various other parts of the city.  Long Beach Municipal Code 5.72.110 is clear when it states that \u201cNo person shall carry on, maintain or conduct any entertainment activity in the City without first obtaining a permit therefor from the City.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

Entertainment Activity is defined in Long Beach Municipal Code Section 5.72.115 as \u201cany activity conducted for the primary purpose of diverting or entertaining a clientele in a premises open to the general public. Said activity shall include, but shall not be limited to: dancing, whether by performers or patrons of the establishment, live musical performances, instrumental or vocal, when carried on by more than two (2) persons or whenever amplified; musical entertainment provided by a disc jockey or karaoke, or any similar entertainment activity involving amplified, reproduced music.”<\/i><\/p>\n

Because the City of Long Beach currently requires said permits, it is important to explain here what permits are available. Two common permits available are an Entertainment Permit and an Occasional Event Permit. An Entertainment Permit costs $1218 and requires City Council approval, while an Occasional Event Permit costs $75 for the first event and $50 for each additional event without Council approval. An Occasional Event Permit while less expensive to obtain, does have stricter guidelines on how often an establishment can use this permit. According to the City, \u201c<\/i>An Occasional Event Permit shall not be issued for any premises or location more than twenty-four (24) times within any twelve (12) month period, and events for which Occasional Event Permits are issued must be at least ten (10) days apart.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

I believe the current guidelines regulating entertainment activity, coupled with the current permitting process, creates a frustrating experience for establishments, and, therefore stymies the success and growth of our local music scene.<\/p>\n

\"raffizahki\"<\/p>\n

Long Beach DJ\/Controllerist Rahfee Zahkee performs inside a retail storefront through an Occasional Event Permit. Photo by Sarah Bennett.<\/em><\/p>\n

How Do We Establish a Win-Win Music Friendly Environment?<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

Establishing a music friendly environment must be done carefully and with understanding. On one hand, there are residents clamoring for a more vibrant music scene with businesses wanting a more sensible, streamlined, and predictable process. On the other hand, there are many individuals who are concerned with noise and crowd control. Both sides are valid.    <\/p>\n

Certainly, the city cannot allow an establishment 10 feet away from a residence to blast amplified music all night, especially without having adequate sound insulation, security, and crowd control measures along with an entertainment permit. However, forcing an establishment to apply for permits that include fees merely to entertain their clientele with a few acoustic musicians shouldn\u2019t be a rigmarole either. There is a balance that can be achieved.<\/p>\n

Defining Entertainment Activity versus Light Entertainment<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

I believe a way to achieve this balance is to separate entertainment into two categories, Entertainment Activity and Light Entertainment. Entertainment Activity should be defined as any entertainment using amplification equipment, therefore requiring a permit. Light Entertainment, in my view, should be defined as non-amplified entertainment which may include acoustic musicians, a jazz trio, a violinist, or a vocal performer. This form of entertainment does not create outside noise issues and, therefore, should not require a permit. <\/p>\n

\"4thstvinemusic\"Establishing a Long Beach Music Division<\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/i>Just as important as easing restrictions by discerning the difference between entertainment activity and light entertainment is the need to restructure the Long Beach Municipal Code in relation to music. Austin TX, dubbed the \u201cLive Music Capital of the World,\u201c serves as a great example of how this can be achieved. The importance that music plays in the City of Austin can be seen by looking at their official government website (http:\/\/austintexas.gov\/department\/music-division<\/i><\/a>) <\/i>which has an entire division devoted to music. It states, \u201cThe City of Austin Music Division promotes the artistic excellence and diversity of Austin music and creates a sustainable cultural environment for the community that enhances the economic vitality of Austin.\u201d They further state that music helps to enhance \u201cAustin\u2019s cultural economy.\u201d   <\/p>\n

Austin, like Long Beach, understands that noise mitigation is a must in order to keep residents happy. However, they go steps beyond Long Beach in describing what is allowable by decibel level. For example, in a residential setting, \u201cA person may not use sound equipment audible beyond the property line of a residence in a residential area that produces sound in excess of 75 decibels.\u201d For a business, Austin\u2019s website states: \u201cA person may not operate sound equipment at a business that produces sound\u2026 in excess of 85 decibels between 10AM and 2AM, as measured at the property line of the business.\u201d In addition to being very specific on decibel levels, Austin lists all relevant ordinances and permits related to music on their site, including their \u201cOutdoor Music Venue Ordinance, Permit for an Outdoor Music Venue, Sound Equipment in Parks, Temporary Uses such as: Carnivals, Craft shows, Flea Markets, Festivals, Temporary Event Sound Permit Application, and Outdoor Music Venue Permit.\u201d Having all relevant information pertaining to music listed in one location helps to foster a more vibrant music economy and culture within the City of Austin and should be encouraged here in Long Beach. <\/p>\n

The Future of the Long Beach Music Scene<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n

The music scene in Long Beach is growing. The Federal Bar, owned by Knitting Factory Entertainment, which opened Downtown this year, is a large player in the music business and another step in helping to grow Long Beach\u2019s reputation in the music world.  Local musicians are also becoming more connected.<\/p>\n

I believe the time is now to begin putting in place the pieces that will allow our music scene to thrive. It will not only help to grow our local economy, but it will help enhance the lives of all within Long Beach who cherish music. <\/p>\n

Read more:<\/strong><\/p>\n