Boston Police cited Soho on Market Street in Brighton Center for violating a license prohibition against dancing, the Tab reports:
... The bar was issued violations for no sign posted for cover charge, no receipt given for cover charge, patrons dancing on dance floor and a DJ playing music on the upper level. ...
Also click on the link to read about a Brighton Avenue fight that erupted when three gentlemen spat on another fellow's car and then declined his request that they clean up their saliva. Heads were kicked and punched before the constabulary arrived.
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Comments
Ridiculous
By mediaseth
Wed, 11/21/2007 - 9:24am
Just what exactly is the rationale behind requiring some sort of a license or whatever for dancing on a dance floor? You know what else? There's a license required to have video games . They call it an "automatic amusement" license or something of the sort. You also need one for a jukebox, so of course there's some sort of entertainment license requirement for a DJ. I thought they didn't enforce all the blue laws, but I guess I was wrong.
No dancing! No fun, ever! It's time for a mini-social revolution in New England. There are so many more important things to be pissed about, but I'm disgusted and enraged on Soho's behalf and I don't even like the place.
entertainment license
By Ron Newman
Wed, 11/21/2007 - 9:41am
The dancing license is ridiculous, but the other entertainment licenses might be justifiable as a way to make sure that music and noise don't blare outside the establishment where the neighbors would hear it.
well...
By mediaseth
Wed, 11/21/2007 - 9:49am
That's what noise ordinances are for. Outside of health, safety and booze, most other sorts of licenses aren't necessary. I think cities and towns use (and abuse) them as a means of control where they otherwise would or should have none.
I'm talking about establishments such as Soho, Pubs, arcades, bowling alleys and so forth. They shouldn't need a dozen licenses to cover every little thing. Streamline the process, at least.
I once witnessed a bowling alley attempt to increase the amount of video games they have in their little gaming area from 7 to 15. The board of Selectmen and community members present spent more time on that nonsense than on things of greater importance. From listening to them, one would think the gates of hell would have opened on that very spot if they added one more pinball machine. What gives?
Board up the windows to head height
By SwirlyGrrl Not ...
Wed, 11/21/2007 - 9:32am
Then they can have Irish step dancing all the time, and the local constabulary will be none the wiser.
racist!
By Anonymous
Wed, 11/21/2007 - 9:33am
racist!
Historical Reference
By SwirlyGrrl Not ...
Wed, 11/21/2007 - 9:40am
Do you know anything about step dancing, or are you on about something else here?
Let me explain: one theory about the "arms down" position of Irish dancers is that the English invaders disapproved of dancing, particularly Irish dancing.
People had little space to practice their steps, so they did so in tight quarters where they could not move their arms. They also did not move their arms while practicing their step work in fenced back lots so they could avoid being seen by their "masters", who might punish them.
Perhaps this blue law enforcement will bring a Riverdance resurgence?
Riverdance
By adamg
Wed, 11/21/2007 - 9:52am
Perhaps this blue law enforcement will bring a Riverdance resurgence?
So you saw the Riverdance people dressed up as Air Force enlistees on "Dancing with the Stars" last night? It's OK to admit you watch it :-).
I so love Irish music....
By Michael Kerpan
Wed, 11/21/2007 - 9:55am
...and so can't stand Riverdance (or any of its imitations).
Feel free to trade places
By Arborway
Fri, 11/23/2007 - 11:37pm
Feel free to trade places with my upstairs neighbor here in JP who insists on practicing the same Riverdance-esque song on his flute EVERY SINGLE DAY for two or three hours of shrill, fast-tempo unnerving pain.
When he's not doing that, he's playing his guitar.
Or his stereo.
And seems to think my ceiling and his foot make a good, cheap metronome.
We've got him to the point where he won't start at 11:15 pm on a weeknight as he used to, but reading, watching a movie, etc in the evening hours is currently impossible.
Define "dancing"
By Lucky
Wed, 11/21/2007 - 10:08am
I would like someone in the City to have to present their definition of "dancing". It wouldn't be as easy as you think, and given the right judges, this whole stupid arcane system of licensing could be blown out of the water.
Brilliant
By mediaseth
Wed, 11/21/2007 - 10:11am
I would then take the audio from that hearing and sample it into a dance track.
Do you remember
By bostnkid
Wed, 11/21/2007 - 1:09pm
Soho used to me a really cool old mans bar.It was The 19th Hole.Beers were like $1.25. Me and my buddies used to go in and bust the place up once in a while/ The old men loved it. After one of our stupid 19 yr old fights the old guys would buy us beers all night.Sometimes they let us get behind the counter to make our own drinks.The back door opens up into an old graveyard. Maybe thats why they dont want dancing. The bones are rattling!Now i gotta Footloose.
Hmmm
By The Father, The...
Wed, 11/21/2007 - 1:10pm
Perhaps we can enlist Kevin Bacon to come to town and take a stand against the anti-dancing forces.
Six Degrees ...
By SwirlyGrrl
Wed, 11/21/2007 - 1:17pm
Should we conjure him with a social networking site? It will likely take between two and six contacts ...
Am I blue?
By Anonymous
Wed, 11/21/2007 - 1:53pm
Seriously, the dancing thing is one of the last vestiges of blue laws. Our benevolent overlords don't want us all hopped up by the rhythms and maybe touching, because it could lead to opium and canoodling on the Sabbath.
The licensing thing is - well, let's be honest: it's just a revenue grab. Massachusetts cities and towns would charge for breathing permits if we'd let 'em.
Similar things have gone on
By Chris
Wed, 11/21/2007 - 5:34pm
Similar things have gone on in NYC - see this Village Voice article from 2002. I don't know the current state of NYC cabaret licensing, though.