ATTN COMMUNITY: VIHC NEEDS YOUR HELP!

[ZACH ATTACK]

I probably don't need to tell you guys that the state of all ages venues in this town is pretty dismal. I mean, Troyler house rules and all, but it would be cool to have some other options. The problem however is that the powers that be have made it pretty close to impossible to host DIY events. A lot of potential venues say "no" flat out and others have price tags that aren't exactly friendly toward DIY all ages events. So the VIHC society has decided to fight back in the best way we know how: angry letters to the newspaper! Right now you o might be asking yourself "but how can I help?" Probably one of the best ways to help out right now would be to share your experiences and frustrations with trying to venues for our (and by our, I mean our community) bands to play in a safe all ages environment. Maybe you were in a band that couldn't get shows because nobody would let you play at their venue. Maybe you turned to a life of crime because you couldn't find anything productive to do with your Friday night and a punk show could have saved you from that downward spiral. Or maybe you have some really awesome experiences from attending shows and wish that other kids could have the same opportunity. What ever you have to share, we want to hear it. And the best part is, you can post it right here, in this thread! You don't even really have to do anything except type! How easy is that! So come on community, share your experiences with us so we can incorporate them into an angry letter to the newspaper!


*Please note that by "angry" I of course mean "Calculated and level headed". You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. But feel free to talk about how pissed off you are with this cities complete and utter disregard toward grassroots and DIY arts in this thread.

[ebony]

as a collective this scene has had the door shut in our face for simply putting out a friendly, honest effort to have legitemate places to host shows. i am pretty tired ot hearing the words "no, but thank you for your effort"
why are you thanking me if you wont rent to me?

don't hold back in this thread!!! tell us everythingggggg

[dalamar501]

Especially since some of these places had problems like 6 years ago with shows. You think as a community centre they should be open to trying to something again that gives back to the community. bah

[Jordan f.]

I wish shows would happen at JBCC again...

I'll do a legit post when I have time

[ZACH ATTACK]

Bump
Seriously guys, we could really use your help here.

[ZACH ATTACK]

Maybe I should clarify that we aren't just looking for feed back from promoters and people in bands. We want to hear what everybody has to say even it's just "It sucks that we can't have shows anywhere".

[darcy]

I perform in a smaller improv group - Boombox Improv - and I would be willing to do community events to help raise funds for VIHC aswell as us. Communit centers are very down for doing 'theater' shows, but I would love to include Victoria's amazing music scene. Acoustic performances, distro tables, poster shows, etc. The best shows I've been to are always mixed genre/form shows.

[soxfullanikkels]

It is absolutely ridiculous that this town continues to stonewall the use of any major all-ages venues. With a very limited history of bad shit going down at events, Victoria seems to have an unnecessarily long memory when it comes to youth violence. I think it's time for a community wide re-evaluation of how public services are allocated. If a building is publicly funded and administered, than, with some rational exceptions (activities that run contrary to the public good) than any paying customer should be able to rent that space. Anything less is an admission that our public services are not, in fact run with the good of the greater community in mind; rather, they are nothing more than a private business operating under the auspices of government.
I do, however, understand the liability issues that undermine the use of these spaces. But I think that historically, the benefit to both the facilities and the participants greatly outweighs the potential risk. With a couple of successful, incident free shows, we improve the image of the VIHC, both as an organization and as a group of people, and the rec centre(s) gains a valuable (and repeat) customer.
In regards to the lack of privately owned venues, as long as the city continues to be draconian in its enforcement of noise and capacity laws, there is really nothing we can do about it, except for purchasing and operating our own venue, which is nearly impossible without a massive and reliable source of income. Given the current situation regarding the arts in this province, until some semblance of rationality is restored to the provincial government, than we, and other arts based organizations, are left in the cold, with basements, living rooms, and garages the only spaces left for us to have shows. The very least we can hope for is EARNING the right to PAY a publicly funded organization for the use of a rental space. It all seems a little............Fucked.

[grind/bro]

I'm not sure what to say in this thread. Look at the ABSORB/PANIC shows. That is fucking resourceful right there, creative too. All ages as well. Outdoor shows with generators, planned out meticulously, spread through word of mouth. That's what's needed here, not so much angry letters (although the thought is really in the right place). Lots of creativity, and resources pulled together from all of us. Rotating house shows, privately rented venues, outdoor shows, putting "bigger" bands on shows, etc.

I'd love to see more houses spring up to do shows at. Another small venue like Bayinihan/Little Fernwood would be great. I can't stand Vic Events, seriously the worst venue in town but I guess it works when it has to. I dunno maybe start talking to people privately about opening an arts collective/venue. I remember the 50/50 used to have heavier shows before some drunk punk kids messed it up. Make sure it's run by very open minded people so it's not primarily INDIE or HARDCORE, make it multi-genre. The DAB in Esquimalt should really be closer to town, that place is literally perfect for what's needed for shows. Start getting connected with arts besides just music perhaps, they were probably once in the same boat as us. A lot of the noise shows happening in town are invite only too, kinda works for them, spreads through word of mouth and they still occur.

I don't want to blame the city about anything, no more than I want to let it walk off scott free. Yeah it sucks but we just need to plan around it rather than trying to cause a big huffpuff over it.

[canon.docre]

I think the main problem is just the affordability of venues, not so much that they won't let us use them.

[ebony]

I think the main problem is just the affordability of venues, not so much that they won't let us use them.

in a sense, but i have been told no by many in the past year.

[ebony]

I'm not sure what to say in this thread. Look at the ABSORB/PANIC shows. That is fucking resourceful right there, creative too. All ages as well. Outdoor shows with generators, planned out meticulously, spread through word of mouth. That's what's needed here, not so much angry letters (although the thought is really in the right place). Lots of creativity, and resources pulled together from all of us. Rotating house shows, privately rented venues, outdoor shows, putting "bigger" bands on shows, etc.

I'd love to see more houses spring up to do shows at. Another small venue like Bayinihan/Little Fernwood would be great. I can't stand Vic Events, seriously the worst venue in town but I guess it works when it has to. I dunno maybe start talking to people privately about opening an arts collective/venue. I remember the 50/50 used to have heavier shows before some drunk punk kids messed it up. Make sure it's run by very open minded people so it's not primarily INDIE or HARDCORE, make it multi-genre. The DAB in Esquimalt should really be closer to town, that place is literally perfect for what's needed for shows. Start getting connected with arts besides just music perhaps, they were probably once in the same boat as us. A lot of the noise shows happening in town are invite only too, kinda works for them, spreads through word of mouth and they still occur.

I don't want to blame the city about anything, no more than I want to let it walk off scott free. Yeah it sucks but we just need to plan around it rather than trying to cause a big huffpuff over it.

we arent pointing blame at anybody really, we just need to get it out there though. in my opinion at least. i have to say im with zach 100 percent on this, and he can be as neg or pos as he wants. its about time. i dont care if i offend somebody for feeling something and speaking about it. whats the point if you dont even have a voice.

[Hollow]

I'm not sure what to say in this thread. Look at the ABSORB/PANIC shows. That is fucking resourceful right there, creative too. All ages as well. Outdoor shows with generators, planned out meticulously, spread through word of mouth. That's what's needed here, not so much angry letters (although the thought is really in the right place). Lots of creativity, and resources pulled together from all of us. Rotating house shows, privately rented venues, outdoor shows, putting "bigger" bands on shows, etc.

I'd love to see more houses spring up to do shows at. Another small venue like Bayinihan/Little Fernwood would be great. I can't stand Vic Events, seriously the worst venue in town but I guess it works when it has to. I dunno maybe start talking to people privately about opening an arts collective/venue. I remember the 50/50 used to have heavier shows before some drunk punk kids messed it up. Make sure it's run by very open minded people so it's not primarily INDIE or HARDCORE, make it multi-genre. The DAB in Esquimalt should really be closer to town, that place is literally perfect for what's needed for shows. Start getting connected with arts besides just music perhaps, they were probably once in the same boat as us. A lot of the noise shows happening in town are invite only too, kinda works for them, spreads through word of mouth and they still occur.

I don't want to blame the city about anything, no more than I want to let it walk off scott free. Yeah it sucks but we just need to plan around it rather than trying to cause a big huffpuff over it.

we arent pointing blame at anybody really, we just need to get it out there though. in my opinion at least. i have to say im with zach 100 percent on this, and he can be as neg or pos as he wants. its about time. i dont care if i offend somebody for feeling something and speaking about it. whats the point if you dont even have a voice.

I think both methods are good. I think continuing using houses, outdoor parties, and other alternative venues is a great idea, but at the same time make our dissatisfaction with the general malaise the city has towards us known. While we won't change anything right away, we can still be heard, and become noisy (the greasy wheel getting the grease, and all that). However, it doesn't mean we should throw in the towel, or ever completely rely on city-funded venues. A collective is really the best possible answer to all of that, and one I think quite a few of us are interested in pursuing. That, unfortunately will take time. SO, basically, get noisy and pissed off about the lack of venues in as public a setting as possible, but don't sit around for action to happen. Get out there and do it.

[ZACH ATTACK]

It is absolutely ridiculous that this town continues to stonewall the use of any major all-ages venues. With a very limited history of bad shit going down at events, Victoria seems to have an unnecessarily long memory when it comes to youth violence. I think it's time for a community wide re-evaluation of how public services are allocated. If a building is publicly funded and administered, than, with some rational exceptions (activities that run contrary to the public good) than any paying customer should be able to rent that space. Anything less is an admission that our public services are not, in fact run with the good of the greater community in mind; rather, they are nothing more than a private business operating under the auspices of government.
I do, however, understand the liability issues that undermine the use of these spaces. But I think that historically, the benefit to both the facilities and the participants greatly outweighs the potential risk. With a couple of successful, incident free shows, we improve the image of the VIHC, both as an organization and as a group of people, and the rec centre(s) gains a valuable (and repeat) customer.
In regards to the lack of privately owned venues, as long as the city continues to be draconian in its enforcement of noise and capacity laws, there is really nothing we can do about it, except for purchasing and operating our own venue, which is nearly impossible without a massive and reliable source of income. Given the current situation regarding the arts in this province, until some semblance of rationality is restored to the provincial government, than we, and other arts based organizations, are left in the cold, with basements, living rooms, and garages the only spaces left for us to have shows. The very least we can hope for is EARNING the right to PAY a publicly funded organization for the use of a rental space. It all seems a little............Fucked.

Are you cool if I more or less plagiarize parts of this?

I'm not sure what to say in this thread. Look at the ABSORB/PANIC shows. That is fucking resourceful right there, creative too. All ages as well. Outdoor shows with generators, planned out meticulously, spread through word of mouth. That's what's needed here, not so much angry letters (although the thought is really in the right place). Lots of creativity, and resources pulled together from all of us. Rotating house shows, privately rented venues, outdoor shows, putting "bigger" bands on shows, etc.

I'd love to see more houses spring up to do shows at. Another small venue like Bayinihan/Little Fernwood would be great. I can't stand Vic Events, seriously the worst venue in town but I guess it works when it has to. I dunno maybe start talking to people privately about opening an arts collective/venue. I remember the 50/50 used to have heavier shows before some drunk punk kids messed it up. Make sure it's run by very open minded people so it's not primarily INDIE or HARDCORE, make it multi-genre. The DAB in Esquimalt should really be closer to town, that place is literally perfect for what's needed for shows. Start getting connected with arts besides just music perhaps, they were probably once in the same boat as us. A lot of the noise shows happening in town are invite only too, kinda works for them, spreads through word of mouth and they still occur.

I don't want to blame the city about anything, no more than I want to let it walk off scott free. Yeah it sucks but we just need to plan around it rather than trying to cause a big huffpuff over it.

I don't really disagree with this, and you hit on points that I entirely agree with. But what I'm kind of getting at with this is that I'm (and I'm sure I speak for a lot of people when say this) really sick and tired of being treated like a criminal and having long past and isolated instances of youth violence hung over our heads just because we're young, listen to loud music and want to create spaces to do this in a way that works for our community. We're trying to do really positive things and it's really frustrating that this city seems dead set on stopping us.

[soxfullanikkels]

Plagiarize all you need, man.

[ZACH ATTACK]

Thanks a bunch dude, it's appreciated.

[grind/bro]

Let's be criminals about all of this. Fuck the system. Punk rock. (I sound like Tyler Akis).

[darcy]

KILL BUDDY

[trappedinside]

Let's be criminals about all of this. Fuck the system. Punk rock. (I sound like Tyler Akis).

nah tyler akis is an indie poser

[dalamar501]

i got bored so i wrote a bad letter to The Mayor and Council of Victoria.
It is goes in circles. it is a rant. Whatever. Sent it earlier. Some secretariat to Council just emailed me saying they forwarded it to the Mayor + Council also to the Parks and Recreation director.

Dear Mayor and Council

I am a board member of the Vancouver Island Hardcore Punk Society. We formed our society to try and alleviate some of the difficulties for other promoters at booking all ages grassroots music shows in this town for youth. We are finding that so many of the community centres that would have rented
in the past no longer do. Victoria seems to have hit a low point in venues that are open to this type of event. There is very little available now a days in terms of affordable venues for this grassroots level. We personally have not caused or had problems when we have booked venues in the past 6 years. We promote drug free safe environments for youth and all ages. Those who are running the centres are very polite about turning us down but it seems as if some of them say no just based on past events that happened years ago at these events. Sometimes even to unrelated events with the only connecting factor being that youth were involved. The city of Victoria recently did that Arts Scan Survey. I encouraged all my friends and everyone I know to fill that out. I really hope you are going to all try and improve the state of the arts in this city. With cutbacks at the Provincial level it really falls to the local community to keep the arts strong. The feeling in our music community is pretty ranging from upset to frustrated with the state of trying to get something positive going. Here is but an example of what some people have stated in our request for them to tell us stories or their thoughts on this problem.

"If a building is publicly funded and administered, than, with some rational exceptions (activities that run contrary to the public good) than any paying customer should be able to rent that space. Anything less is an admission that our public services are not, in fact run with the good of the greater community in mind; rather, they are nothing more than a private business operating under the auspices of government."

It is frustrating that the few that will still rent out to such events have increased their prices quite a bit over the past 4 years. It is a time of recession I know but it makes these events even harder to put on. A typical show that includes a touring band. We cover that bands ferry and gas money. Say about $250. A venue like James Bay Community Centre would rent for about $330 (about that Last June 2009). These events are meant to be open for all ages and especially youth in Victoria. So they usually have a ticket price ranging from $6-$10 to keep it affordable. Any more than that and you aren't going to get any one coming out as they won't be able to afford it on their allowances (for youth that is). Postering and advertising for one of these events runs the cost of $60 - $180. Since none of these bands are "huge" names with commercial success it is at the grassroots of the arts/music scene. The average attendance will range from 30 - 150. That is a door profit of $180 - 1500. Rarely do we get the higher numbers or if we do it is on shows that have more touring bands with higher costs or an actual contract for more. Our end profit ranges from $-580 - $740. Personally I have broke even on about half my shows or always just take the postering cost as a loss. I have made personal profit on two shows in the last 3 years. (while booking with my own promotional company) Every other time it has been out of pocket losses ranging in the hundreds. Any extra profit usually will go straight to local groups who also play the show to help them improve the core of the Victoria music scene. They use this money to record and help them tour to show the world the kind of talent Victoria contains.

In the past there have been short lived private venues that have worked well. Such as Camas Book and Info Shop. They ultimately didn't have the proper zoning to have shows since they are no longer able to have these events after last May. But they supported the pulse of this music community like no other venue would at the time.

Basically it all comes down to community centres and having them support this community rather than shun their youth and culture. We give youth a enriching event that keeps them from just wandering streets at night or "getting up to no good"
We provide it with a safe atmosphere that has a no tolerance on drugs or alcohol. I can't say the same for every promoter in this town. The venues should book shows based on who are booking not on what type of event or music it is. A good promoter will make sure it stays a safe environment. Will provide the measures necessary.

Thank you for reading this if you did. It pretty much turned into a rant and for that I am sorry.