NEWS
ALRC discusses 21 and under events
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Also by Aubre Andrus:
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- PACE starts up semester plans (February 11, 2004)
- City postpones consider drink special ban (April 11, 2002)
- ALRC approves Performing Arts Venues License (April 21, 2005)
by Aubre Andrus
Thursday, April 22, 2004
ALRC discusses 21 and under events
by Aubre Andrus, News Reporter
Discussions continued Wednesday regarding the proposed ordinances, which would allow students under the age of 21 into downtown bars and taverns. Members of the Alcohol License Review Committee and the University of Wisconsin’s Policy, Alternatives Community Education (PACE) organization discussed the Nightclub and Performing Arts Venue ordinances Wednesday night.
These two proposed licenses would replace the cabaret license, which requires taverns to pay an extra fee to allow dancing in their establishments.
The Performing Arts Venue license, available to taverns, would allow people 18 and over to enter venues offering live music or a DJ and dancing. In addition, these venues would need to identify those over 21 from the underage crowd and provide additional security to supervise the extra patrons.
Restaurants will be able to apply for the Nightclub license that would allow them to turn into a drinking establishment at night.
Sue Crowley, the head of PACE, is supportive of the ordinance.
“This will expand the entertainment options in the downtown area and will provide opportunities for students that don’t just involve drinking,” she said.
According to Crowley, there are more than 20,000 students under the legal age at the University of Wisconsin.
Steven Ellestad, a partner in Mad City Artists, said ordinances such as this have been passed in Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Virginia Beach. He believes by allowing students who are under 21 to be in an alcoholic setting, they will learn how to have fun without drinking.
An “interested member of the community,” Rick Petri, agreed.
“There will be a decrease in the need to engage in illegal activity,” he said. “They won’t have to worry about the risk of getting busted.”
Along with the students’ social lives, the local music scene is expected to benefit as well. Rick Tvedt, President of Madison Area Music Awards, Inc. believes it is very important for 18- to 21-year-olds to see professionals play live, and their lack of participation lately has affected the local music economy.
“Eighteen- to 21-year-olds were our bread and butter as live music performers,” he said. “Madison should have a healthy and vibrant arts scene that includes live music and nightclubs.”
Ald. Warren Onken, District 3, believes the council should put this ordinance into effect as soon as possible, hopefully by the start of summer.
Businesses will not have to deal with large crowds during the summer months and would have time to work out any problems that arise. By the end of August, businesses following the new ordinance would be running smoothly and would be ready for the returning students.
Crowley acknowledged the fact some risks are involved with this new ordinance.
“It’s a privilege to have this ordinance passed, and if it’s not successful, it will be revoked” Crowley said.
