Tag: musicians

bookmark_borderWest Chester Passes Unconstitutional Law

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Published on Oct 18, 2016

West Chester, PA — West Chester Borough is already involved in litigation over the constitutionality of their Noise Ordinance. Technically speaking it is illegal to play a guitar in West Chester under the noise ordinance. In fact, you can not play any instrument in West Chester.

This is in direct violation of the Constitution of the United States of America. Specifically, the First and Fourteenth Amendments guarantee freedom of speech and expression.

The new ordinance passed today, October 18, 2016 will violate the Constitution even further by regulating:
acting, singing, playing musical instruments, pantomime, juggling, magic, dancing, reading aloud, puppetry and reciting.

HATE CRIMES AND CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN WEST CHESTER, PA

Harassment, Civil Rights Violations and Hate Crimes
Swatting, Police Terror, Assault and Wrongful Arrest
Harassment, Abuse and Terroristic Threats of the West Chester Police Department
West Chester Police Officer Gregory Cugino Makes Threats
West Chester Police Officer Gregory Cugino: Intimidation and Harassment
Lt. William Morris, Patrolman Albert McCarthy Jr., Patrolman Gregory M. Cugino, and Corporal Joshua Lee
Cugino Complaint
Gorman Complaint
Lee Complaint (Corporal Joshua Lee 2011)
Sergeant John O’Donnell Complaint
Anthony Marion (Penn’s Table Restaurant) Right To Know
Anthony Marion Criminal Complaint #1
Anthony Marion Criminal Complaint #2
Anthony Marion Criminal Complaint #3

bookmark_borderWest Chester Street Performance Ordincance

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by Daniel Brouse

WEST CHESTER, PA — A second public hearing for a proposed ordinance to regulate street performers was held on September 21 at Borough Hall. Due to the time length of the meeting, a third public hearing has been scheduled for October 18 at 6PM.

The ordinance would regulate “the following activities: acting, singing, playing musical instruments, pantomime, juggling, magic, dancing, reading aloud, puppetry and reciting.”

Borough council members spent an hour-and-a-half suggesting changes. One of the most significant changes was to the Purpose of the ordinance, changing “the Borough Council therefore seeks to encourage such performances” to “the Borough Council therefore seeks to regulate such performances”. Council members Michael Galey and William J. Scott brought up concerns over unnecessary regulations, redundant regulations and over-reaching regulations. Quite a bit of discussion revolved around applying the regulation to private property. Surprisingly, there was no discussion about how this law would be applied to minors. At the previous hearing, a resident was voiced concerns, “If I’m playing a guitar and children start to dance, are they in violation.”

Eventually, comments by the public were heard. The overwhelming majority of the comments were against any attempts to regulate free speech.

The West Chester Business Improvement District (BID) executive director, Malcolm Johnstone stated his support for the ordinance. Only one business came out in favor of the ordinance. The owner of Penn’s Table Restaurant complained that the artists blocked the public right-of-way.

Comments against the ordinance came from a wide array of artists, performers and fans. Tom Wagner, Esquire, stated his opposition to the ordinance based on The First Amendment. Virginia Schawacker, director of Shaw Strings, voiced her concerns about regulating musical performances especially when on private property. Tony Webb has an architectural firm on Church Street and talked about his support for the music. A variety of musicians and students from West Chester University spoke out against the ordinance. Brad Rau, who holds a masters degree in classical guitar and teaches in West Chester, created a petition in support of the arts. The petition with hundreds of unsolicited signatures of citizens against regulating the arts was presented.

The discussion will continue in October.

bookmark_borderJerry Ryan’s Rapture

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By Daniel Brouse

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — What do you mean the music scene is dead? There is hope. There is light at the end of the tunnel. In the Mid-Atlantic USA, there is a beacon shining bright — Jerry Ryan.

Jerry is an unassuming hero for musicians and artists. “Jerry changed the music industry by being legitimately all about the bands. It’s not about money to him. When I asked him why he was throwing the first Elephant Talk Music Festival, he replied ‘it’s for the bands.’ I knew then that he was the right guy,” said Rick Reinhart of Out In The Woods Records.

Hundreds of bands have benefited from Jerry’s compassion. He provides musician friendly venues along the East Coast and promotes the bands at no charge. Playing outside in Atlantic City is always a treat. Quite often there are multiple stages both inside and out. The sound quality is always quite good (with a stable of house musicians that blow the roof off when playing indoors.)

Elephants For Autism 2016
Elephants For Autism 2016

In 2011, Jerry founded an annual charity event called Elephants For Autism. “I added the charity aspect to what I was doing when I realized that I could become the change I wanted to see in the world. It just made sense to me that I needed to go into a new direction,” said Jerry.

The charity work of Jerry does make a change. “Jerry Ryan’s Elephants for Autism Indie Music Festivals have raised tens of thousands of dollars for the music programs at The Archway Schools. His generosity has allowed our special needs students to experience the joy of making music on a variety of instruments he has donated, as well as helping us to build a music therapy program that promotes student wellness by managing stress, enhancing memory and improving communication,” said Doug Otto, director of special projects for The Archway Schools.

The fifth annual Elephants For Autism music festival will be held May 20-22, 2016 at the Watering Hole Cafe in Mays Landing, NJ. 100 bands will play on 2 outdoor stages and 1 indoor stage (view the line-up). All proceeds benefit the Archway School in Atco, NJ for their special needs music program and music camp. “We are very fortunate to be in a position to help others through our mutual passion that is music,” laments Jerry.

Photos Unordered: Jerry Ryan, Rob Perna Jr., Citrus Distress, Leland Porter, Elise Moureau, Jacob Graff, Daniel Brouse, Rick Reinhart, Ali Richardson, Galt Line, Ike Joy, Jason Jeffries, Pool Of Thorns, Resident Stone, Terry Utain, Chelsea Allen

Additional quotes courtesy of “A father’s love brings music festival for autism to A.C.” by VINCENT JACKSON