From: owner-jinglejangle-digest@smoe.org (jinglejangle-digest) To: jinglejangle-digest@smoe.org Subject: jinglejangle-digest V6 #70 Reply-To: jinglejangle@smoe.org Sender: owner-jinglejangle-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-jinglejangle-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk jinglejangle-digest Saturday, November 22 2003 Volume 06 : Number 070 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [MLL] ok...is this... [Bopst@aol.com] [MLL] Hello from Mary Lou [Bopst@aol.com] [MLL] oh yea [Bopst@aol.com] [MLL] Street Performers ["Journey Bear" ] Re: [MLL] Hello from Mary Lou [Nadja Dee ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2003 12:27:15 EST From: Bopst@aol.com Subject: [MLL] ok...is this... oh crap ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2003 13:11:13 EST From: Bopst@aol.com Subject: [MLL] Hello from Mary Lou Hi guys...wow I'm sorry I sort of blew up at Carsten....I've been really bitchy lately...So many things going on at once ..Elliott's death really brought me way way down...I would like to share my thoughts on that a little later...The other thing is that the Boston MBTA are trying to ban amplification in the subway along with other things such as assigned spots, hours and even...get this...a fucking dress code!!!! I am ABSOLUTELY PISSED OFF and certainly freaking out about this...As you know, I have been performing in the Boston subway for the last 15 years and I have kept myself a float financially, emotionally, and spiritually because of having that outlet... The people who have put these new regulations together did it behind our backs...A few people went to get thier permits updated and were told they couldn't...This was when we started inquiring what was going on... Dec 1st is the effective date these new regulations will begin...They wouldn't have even told us about this!!! The regulations are about 8 pages long..No horns, no flutes , no amplification or electrical instruments of any kind, blah blah...........You need to have a place of residence for them to send the permit to...you need to be a us citizen or have a proper visa, you need to make an appointment to apply for the permit, the permits will cost 25 dollars a year, blah blah.... One of the best things about the way the subway has run it's music underground for the past "ever" , has been a great platform for travelling musicians to pick up a few extra bucks...It's also been a way for someone who might be in financial straits to get themselves out of a hole, and if they had been homeless, to pick up some money to get a roof over thier heads....This can't happen now......This is a very very sad thing...This will ultimately put an end to something that has helped define the profile Boston as a unique and special place...Now it will just seem a little more vacant ...just like any other city...nothing charming...bring in the GAP!!! Oh yea...bring in the STARBUCKS!!! under the ground!!! yea...That's what people want!!!!...Everything SAFE! and NORMAL!! In the language of this new agenda, you can read between the lines...Whover put this ordinance together probably never set foot in the subway...They're using 9-11 as the reason for these new rules...A "safety" issue...What the fuck does a "dress code" have to do with safety?.."the performer must look clean and neat and have a photo id badge on at all times"...They were basiacally saying in this thing that subway performers are all a bunch of talentless bums playing too loud in a place where they are not wanted....It was very obvious in the language...The wording of this thing was a bit strange too (not very well written or put together). Well, the MBTA certainly is about to be taken on the ride of it's life...I attended a meeting the other day and there were at least 150 subway musicians there...There are at least 200 more...We're trying to get signatures of people that don't agree with these new regulations and petition and protest these new rules...It's all very new and unexpected, so we're in the beginning stages on what we're going to do...We've had a substantial amount of media coverage and there will be much more to come to get people aware of what's going on and what they can do to help...If we are not listened to, or can't at least meet them in the middle regarding the new regulations, there is going to be a mass sit-in (more than likely in the Park st.Station) where we all (2-3 hundred of us, or even more), are going to bring our instuments and refuse to leave..... I'm sorry I'm rambling here, and I'll let you know where you can find out more info on this if you care...I think the site is communityarts.org...Stephen Baird is the main guy helping to straighten this out...Pleas do what you can....Thank you...I'll keep you posted!!! Once again, So sorry to Carsten...You've sone so much for me....I was feeling sorry for myself that day, and I felt strange about having the record reviewed ....I guess I got to get myself ready for that...I like the record, but it is indeed a bit strange!! That's ok though.....It is what it is.... Thanks agin.. - -Mary Lou ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2003 13:13:14 EST From: Bopst@aol.com Subject: [MLL] oh yea Communityartsactivists.org ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2003 15:07:35 -0500 From: "Journey Bear" Subject: [MLL] Street Performers So sad to hear all that about what the MBTA is doing. That is such utter crap. I think of all the talented people who have come up from the underground through impromptu public performances - Patty Larkin, Ratsy, Rachael Davis, um, um, who else, oh yeah, Mary Lou ;-) and I'm sure plenty others - and I shudder to think what would have happened to them and their music if they hadn't had a way to get started. I hope the activism Mary Lou is helping coordinate helps. I'd be pleasantly surprised if it did. Bureaucrats tend to be an unimaginative, close-minded, humorless bunch, and once they get their minds set about an issue it's often hard for them to see alternatives. So I don't hold out much hope but I wish the performers all the best and urge them to be firm and passionate but reasonable. Meanwhile, perhaps some performers might consider doing what I did - getting the hell out of New England before it gets any colder (and crueler) and trying their luck down here in Key West. Performing is permitted along the main drag downtown (Duval Street) and also at the daily Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square. No fees or permits are required; Sunset participants must sign up and participate in a lottery every evening to fairly distribute the allotted spaces, but it is free. Every winter the town swells up with new and/or seasonal arrivals, and there is sometimes competition for good performance spots along the street. But street performances of an artistic nature are permitted in the city code - as opposed to panhandling - so the police leave musicians, jugglers, tarot card readers, even mimes (darn!) alone. But be prepared to play a lot of cover tunes - you're playing to tourists mostly, and they want to hear familiar songs rather than originals. You have to catch people with short attention spans as they stroll up and down the street. Though I'd like to think someone with a voice as angelic as, say, Rachael Davis would attract and hold attention regardless of what she was singing. A lot of people live in vans and campers here, and though this presents some problems, as long as you keep your act together and abide by the laws you can get by all right. The savings on rent helps take the pressure off of having to make what would be considered a standard living wage. And a lot of things are expensive here, though there are also bargains to be found. Hopefully after scuffling along and living simply for a little while and living within your means you'll be able to scrape up enough money to move into a small place or live on a boat (often cheaper) and move on up to bigger and better things. I mention all this as an alternative to toughing it out in Boston. It's not all fun and games here, though the weather is nice and a lot of the locals are cool, old hippies and such. There are a lot of crazies too, just off the wall people who made it to the end of the road and then couldn't figure out how to get back out. If you have your wits about you, don't take things too seriously, don't believe everything you hear, have some worthwhile marketable talent, and believe in yourself, you probably will do all right. It took me a few months, but I am now playing regularly in clubs, having teamed up with a guitarist who has been here longer and established himself. If I can do it at my advanced age, so can you. Just one thing - if you play the mandolin, please stay home. I don't need the competition! ;-) And remember, you can always go back to Boston or elsewhere in the spring. Email me off-list if you think you want to try this out and need more specific info. Journey Bear PS: Good luck with the MBTA. My best wishes to you. _________________________________________________________________ online games and music with a high-speed Internet connection! Prices start at less than $1 a day average. https://broadband.msn.com (Prices may vary by service area.) ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2003 19:42:05 -0800 (GMT-08:00) From: Nadja Dee Subject: Re: [MLL] Hello from Mary Lou You guys, I have to tell you that I never thought Boston would turn into such a buskers nightmare. In fact, from this West coast grrls point of view, it seemed like the last bastion of hope for a free world. In both Seattle and Los Angeles (2 cities I know well), they have restrictions like permits, sound level..etc. If you want to busk here in Seattle, without a subway system, you are limited to the high tourist places like Pike Place Market, or the LA equivalent like Santa Monica's touristy shopping areas. But you need a permit and cannot have anything amplified. Sucks. Sucks big time. And it's totally true, if you have no other income, and no street address, what are you supposed to do? Sure, I was surprised by Mary Lou's reaction, but then again, if I had just recorded a new album (given birth to a new musical baby) which people weren't supposed to christen till Feb 2004... and there someone was telling me what they thought of my baby and what color blue they thought it was...I would be pretty darn pissed off myself. I did know Carsten a little, and I know enough that he's a sweetheart of a guy. I was pretty sure he wouldnt do anything malicious with the bootleg...But if I didnt know him, then I wouldnt have felt that way. Besides, who hasnt gotten really upset? Throw the stone...and if you do, throw it at the rubber wall so it comes back and hits you. Well, not really. Im just trying to say that I can see how I would have been upset too. On another note, I want to see what we can do here to help this cause. We may not be able to save our loved ones from self destruction, but we sure as hell can try to fight the damn govt who seems does everything in their power to silent the arts and "un" normal people. A dress code? Give me fucking break!!!! Like my car says, "Normal people scare me." I admire Mary Lou because she challenges the system. She doesnt just think things are black and white or that legislature is the final say. Look at Lennon, he challenged the system. Smart people dont just sit back and accept it. Im certainly not going to either. I will admit I love having Mary Lou herself finally post a long message on here, but the reason why and the impetus behind it, makes me sick to my stomach. Go ahead...sling those arrows at me. I can take it. (well I hope I can) Yours and open to any support we can give Mary Lou. Nadja Dee Tanaka Seattle WA - -----Original Message----- From: Bopst@aol.com Sent: Nov 21, 2003 10:11 AM To: jinglejangle@smoe.org Subject: [MLL] Hello from Mary Lou Hi guys...wow I'm sorry I sort of blew up at Carsten....I've been really bitchy lately...So many things going on at once ..Elliott's death really brought me way way down...I would like to share my thoughts on that a little later...The other thing is that the Boston MBTA are trying to ban amplification in the subway along with other things such as assigned spots, hours and even...get this...a fucking dress code!!!! I am ABSOLUTELY PISSED OFF and certainly freaking out about this...As you know, I have been performing in the Boston subway for the last 15 years and I have kept myself a float financially, emotionally, and spiritually because of having that outlet... The people who have put these new regulations together did it behind our backs...A few people went to get thier permits updated and were told they couldn't...This was when we started inquiring what was going on... Dec 1st is the effective date these new regulations will begin...They wouldn't have even told us about this!!! The regulations are about 8 pages long..No horns, no flutes , no amplification or electrical instruments of any kind, blah blah...........You need to have a place of residence for them to send the permit to...you need to be a us citizen or have a proper visa, you need to make an appointment to apply for the permit, the permits will cost 25 dollars a year, blah blah.... One of the best things about the way the subway has run it's music underground for the past "ever" , has been a great platform for travelling musicians to pick up a few extra bucks...It's also been a way for someone who might be in financial straits to get themselves out of a hole, and if they had been homeless, to pick up some money to get a roof over thier heads....This can't happen now......This is a very very sad thing...This will ultimately put an end to something that has helped define the profile Boston as a unique and special place...Now it will just seem a little more vacant ...just like any other city...nothing charming...bring in the GAP!!! Oh yea...bring in the STARBUCKS!!! under the ground!!! yea...That's what people want!!!!...Everything SAFE! and NORMAL!! In the language of this new agenda, you can read between the lines...Whover put this ordinance together probably never set foot in the subway...They're using 9-11 as the reason for these new rules...A "safety" issue...What the fuck does a "dress code" have to do with safety?.."the performer must look clean and neat and have a photo id badge on at all times"...They were basiacally saying in this thing that subway performers are all a bunch of talentless bums playing too loud in a place where they are not wanted....It was very obvious in the language...The wording of this thing was a bit strange too (not very well written or put together). Well, the MBTA certainly is about to be taken on the ride of it's life...I attended a meeting the other day and there were at least 150 subway musicians there...There are at least 200 more...We're trying to get signatures of people that don't agree with these new regulations and petition and protest these new rules...It's all very new and unexpected, so we're in the beginning stages on what we're going to do...We've had a substantial amount of media coverage and there will be much more to come to get people aware of what's going on and what they can do to help...If we are not listened to, or can't at least meet them in the middle regarding the new regulations, there is going to be a mass sit-in (more than likely in the Park st.Station) where we all (2-3 hundred of us, or even more), are going to bring our instuments and refuse to leave..... I'm sorry I'm rambling here, and I'll let you know where you can find out more info on this if you care...I think the site is communityarts.org...Stephen Baird is the main guy helping to straighten this out...Pleas do what you can....Thank you...I'll keep you posted!!! Once again, So sorry to Carsten...You've sone so much for me....I was feeling sorry for myself that day, and I felt strange about having the record reviewed ....I guess I got to get myself ready for that...I like the record, but it is indeed a bit strange!! That's ok though.....It is what it is.... Thanks agin.. - -Mary Lou Nadja Dee http://www.angelfire.com/wa2/nadjadee/ ------------------------------ End of jinglejangle-digest V6 #70 *********************************