CALL CITY COUNCIL

212-788-7210

^{Calls count, leave a message.}

Share

^{Could commercial rent stabilization solve NYC’s retail vacancy woes?}

^{This Space Available}

^{Pols, small-biz owners rally for law limiting rent hikes on NYC’s beleaguered mom-and-pop shops}

NYC’S COMMERCIAL RENT STABILIZATION

• Rent closes spaces
• Skyrocketing commercial rents, +300% for some.
• Cap rent increases for predictability
• Reduce displacement
• Beloved landmarks like Silent Barn, Cornelia Street Cafe, The Half King, Upright Citizens Brigade East, B.B. King Blues Club and the Highline Ballroom have closed because of rent

PROGRESS

Your historic pressure pushed New York City Council to introduce the bill for Commercial Rent Stabilization Call your City Council Member. Calling counts. 212-788-7210

New York City Council Members Signed On To #FairRentNYC Bill

Click a Council Member to tweet thank you for signing on. Challenge their colleagues to join in at the same time. Call first. Phone calls are much more effective than social media.

^{Steven Levin
Council Member
District 33}

^{Vanessa Gibson
Council Member
District 16}

^{Antonio Reynoso
Council Member
District 34}

^{Diana Ayala
Council Member
District 8}

^{Darma Diaz
Council Member
District 37}

^{Brad Lander
Council Member
District 39}

^{Margaret Chin
Council Member
District 1}

^{Jimmy Van Bramer
Council Member
District 26}

^{Daniel Dromm
Council Member
District 25}

^{Ben Kallos
Council Member
District 5}

^{Carlos Menchaca
Council Member
District 38}

^{Carlina Rivera
Council Member
District 2}

^{Helen Rosenthal
Council Member
District 6}

^{Deborah Rose
Council Member
District 49}

^{Karen Koslowitz
Council Member
District 29}

^{Alicka Ampry-Samuel
Council Member
District 41}

^{Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
Council Member
District 31}

^{Robert E. Cornegy, Jr.
Council Member
District 36}

^{Inez D. Barron
Council Member
District 42}

^{Kevin Riley
Council Member
District 12}

^{Adrienne E. Adams
Council Member
District 28}

^{Farah N. Louis
Council Member
District 45}

^{Mark Levine
Council Member
District 7}

^{Laurie A. Cumbo
Council Member
District 35}

^{Ruben Diaz, Sr.
Council Member
District 18}

^{Jumaane Williams
Public Advocate}

Do you have friends in neighborhoods that are not green yet on the map? Share and tag your friends. Challenge them to call City Council.

Zoom Background

Show your support during the hearing by setting the graphic as your Zoom background!

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“Time and time again we’ve seen businesses shutter in my district and throughout the city due to rent increases. This bill helps establish basic rights for commercial tenants so the businesses that are a vital part of our communities can continue to serve our communities and thrive.”

NYC City Council Member Stephen Levin

“We see thriving community spaces shuttered overnight due to doubling and tripling rents. Commercial tenants invest in our neighborhoods, provide work and services, and reflect our culture. Commercial rent stabilization is an important step toward achieving an equitable, diverse, and just city."

Olympia Kazi, NYC Artist Coalition

"When you give small businesses a fighting chance, you give whole neighborhoods a fighting chance" Shrima Pandey, Chhaya Community Development Corporation.

"Losing the independently-owned small businesses that we love, one after another, tears at the fabric of our communities. If we want to preserve what is best about our communities, amidst skyrocketing rents we must takebold action now.” NYC City Council Member Brad Lander

“As commercial rents go up, venues are driven out of business, destroying opportunities for musicians.”

Andrew Schwartz, Local 802 AFM

“Street vendors are the smallest businesses in NYC. And they’re an essential component of our neighborhoods. The Commercial Rent Stabilization bill is the first step needed in protecting our small businesses.” Mohammed Attia, Street Vendor Project

"We’re here to support Commercial Rent Stabilization because landlords like ours should not be able to abuse the power against small businesses like ours." Isabella Rivera, Owner Of Izzie’s Cheesesteaks

“My two stores did not close because of Amazon - my business was thriving. It was because of unreasonable rent. Natasha Amott, Owner Of Whisk, Kitchen Supply Store.

MEDIA KIT

PRESS CONTACT
  contact@nycartc.com
  (347) 974-0860

^{Download Image
Artists, Cultural Icons, and City Officials Come Together to #SaveNYCSpaces
(NYC Artist Coalition)}

^{Download Image
Packed Town Hall to Save NYC Spaces
(NYC Artist Coalition)}

^{Map
Commercial Vacancy Rate in NYC
(NYC Artist Coalition)}

PRESS

^{Could commercial rent stabilization solve NYC’s retail vacancy woes?}

^{This Space Available}

^{Pols, small-biz owners rally for law limiting rent hikes on NYC’s beleaguered mom-and-pop shops}

^{The sad story behind NYC vacant storefronts}

^{How Manhattan Became a Rich Ghost Town}

#FAIR RENT NYC COALITION

^{NYC Artist Coalition}

^{Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A}

^{Chhaya CDC}

^{Cooper Square Committee}

^{Street Vendor Project}

^{Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition}

^{TakeRoot Justice}

^SaveNYC

^{Local 802 - American Federation of Musicians}

^{Musicians for Musicians}

^{House of Yes}

^{Loisaida Center}

^{MOMENT NYC}

^{Secret Project Robot}

^{House Coalition}

^{The Floasis}

^{Friends and Lovers}

^Nowadays

^{Liquid Sound Lounge}

^{With Friends}

^{TBA Brooklyn}

^{New York Trax}

^{Magick City}

^{League of Independent Theater} 

^{Flowers for All Occasions}

^{Happy Fun Hideaway}

^{Educated Little Monsters}

^{Sound Mind Collective}

^Babycastles

^JACK

^{Apama Records}

^Commend

^{Paradice Palase}

^{Deep Space NYC}

^NonsenseNYC

^Elsewhere

^{Columbia University Student Advocates for the Arts}

^{Women's Housing and Economic Development Corp. (WHEDco)}

^{Bronx Music Heritage Center}

^{Arts for Art}

Artists, health experts, gig workers, community spaces, community leaders, activists, policy makers, and mutual aid providers coordinate NYC COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts.

October Relief Meeting- NYC Artist Coalition
Tuesday Oct 6, 8pm

Organize with friends, and get answers on rent, mental health, & community space regulations due to COVID19.

Priorities & Letter to Elected Officials

We need a concerted effort at the Federal, State and City level for:

• Free Covid-19 testing and free treatment for all Covid-19 cases
• Emergency unemployment insurance benefits immediately accessible to independent contractors impacted by Covid-19 and increase unemployment benefits for all workers
• A rent break and mortgage payment moratorium for residential and commercial spaces impacted by the Covid-19 outbreak
• Postpone all business payments such as government fees, fines as well as property and sales taxes for all impacted businesses and their landlords.
• The NYC Small Business Services grants for businesses with fewer than 5 employees should be expanded to businesses up to 10 employees and made available to all independent contractors impacted by Covid-19 work cancellations.
• The Department of Cultural Affairs and Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment should establish emergency grants for small venues specializing in live music and DJ performance and subsidize access to technology enabling venues and individual artists to stream—and monetize-- music events as a substitute for live audience attendance.

Relief Models

Artists & Spaces: How has COVID-19 affected you, your work, friends, and community space?

What do you need?

We can help each other find solutions.

Add examples of grassroots relief nation-wide to this Google Doc to shape our response and be a NYC resource.

e.g. An artist relief fund in Seattle has raised over $100k in direct relief. Clubs in Chicago are fundraising for employees. SF has a Moratorium on Evictions.

Rent is Due - What to Do

Q&A: #KnowYourRights #COVID19 Relief

Featuring rad housing and small business lawyers of Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A & Diana Mora of Friends and Lovers

Q&A: contact@NYCArtC.com, business@bka.org,info@bka.org

Thank you Catherine Peyton Humphreville & Kristie Ortiz-Lam at Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A!

• Prioritize Food Before Rent

• Talk with Landlord
• Evictions Are On Pause
• Tell Governor Andrew Cuomo: #CancelRent

Pay for necessities before rent. We need to #CancelRent with a rent suspension. Know our rights.

Ban Virus Loopholes on Community Space Insurance

Because of your voice, a bill A-10226 is introduced to remove the Virus Exclusion insurance loophole.

Call NYS Assemblymember Kevin Cahill: 845-338-9610
Calls count, leave a message.

“Pass bill A-10226 to ban the Virus Exclusion insurance loophole. Call me back with your plan to #SaveNYCSpaces."

This is not legal advice

Business Interruption Insurance for Community Spaces
Many space operators are looking to insurance companies to pay out through their business interruption insurance as a result of closing due to COVID19, as mandated by the State.

File An Insurance Claim! Even if space operators don’t think they are covered by their Business Interruption Insurance, file a claim with your insurance company anyway.

Language to include in claim:

This order is given because of the propensity of the virus to spread person to person and also because the virus physically is causing property loss or damage due to its proclivity to attach to surfaces for prolonged periods of time."

Viruses Likely Excluded In Insurance Policy Spaces’ business Interruption Insurance likely only covers physical damage to the business and excludes viruses and bacteria.

Keep Records Of Cases Of COVID-19 At Your Business Document any incidence of COVID-19 at your business. If you have had someone who was sick working at the business or patron, document that as best you can, be considerate of others health privacy.

Also, document loss of revenue at your business due to COVID-19. This is a good time to catch up on your books (at least 18 months back).

Don't State Publicly That Your Business Is Not Infected Do not say explicitly (on social media or publicly) that your business has not been infected, because your insurance company may use those posts to say that you were not impacted.

You should say “As a result of COVID19 and in keeping with state social distancing requirements, we have converted to delivery/takeout only (or closing)”.

Landlord May Have Lost Rent Insurance, You May Be On Their Policy Your landlord may have insurance for lost rent, and you may be listed as additional insured on their policy. Conversely, your landlord may also be listed on your insurance policy. Talk to them. You may have a Force Majeure policy that removes liability for unavoidable catastrophes.

Delivery/Takeout Won’t Harm Your Claim You can still do delivery/take out, if that’s what you want to do. Doing delivery/takeout won’t harm your chances of getting money from your insurance company. That will show you are doing everything in your power to maintain business revenue.

Tell State Reps: Ban virus exclusions We need to advocate to our state legislators to say that insurance companies can not use exclusions for viruses or bacteria. Usually for exclusions in policies, the insurance company will let you purchase standalone coverage for just that one exclusion. This is not the case for viruses and bacteria - you cannot purchase insurance for this. This may allow state legislators to say that insurance companies cannot have viruses as an exclusion.

Questions or resources contact@nycartc.com

Thank you to the New York Hospitality Coalition for providing this information.

Mental Health Resources

COVID-19 has hit every aspect of life in NYC - it is normal and natural to struggle with this degree of loss and uncertainty for such an extended period of time.

If you or someone you know are struggling with stress, depression, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, increase in use of alcohol or other drugs, accessing mental health supports sooner than later can help ease the burden while we work through these unprecedented times.

NYC is the best city in the world for countless reasons, but one is that we are well-served by free and low cost mental health supports and services.

NYC Well
NYC’s free and confidential 24/7 mental health hotline, accessible by phone (1-800-NYC-WELL), text (text "WELL" to 65173) or online chat for crisis intervention, short-term counseling, and referral to mental health follow-up. Individuals, friends and families can also call NYC Well to request a mobile crisis team home visit for non-life-threatening behavioral or emotional crisis.

ThriveNYC
Chirlane McCrae's ThriveNYC program piggybacks on this, both sites have a wealth of supportive and educational materials for different populations and in different languages and also offers a learning center with more in-depth training on mental health issues and how to provide support for family, friends and community members in need.

National Alliance on Mental Illness
Crisis and support hotline as well as substantial educational and peer-led supports.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health National Helpline
Can facilitate referrals taking into account needs, insurance, and preference regarding in-person vs telemedicine appointments.

NYC Health & Hospitals
Provides mental health and addiction care to persons of all ages and all levels of acuity (inpatient, outpatient or blended) regardless of their ability to pay - a good option for persons without insurance who likely need psychiatric medication as HHC has funding to provide medication directly through their pharmacies.

South Beach Psychiatric Center's Community Mental Health Centers, Sun River (formally Brightpoint) and Community Counseling and Mediation provide free or sliding scale therapy and psychiatric appointments but have more limited resources for medication support.

NYC Covid Care Network
Volunteer network providing free emotional, mental, and spiritual support to essential workers and their family members in NYC.

Most peer-led support groups including Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Refuge Recovery, and NAMI's groups for individuals and families are free and being held all remotely so it's a great time to try out different groups if you've been on the fence.

If someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide: do not leave the person alone; remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt; and call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.

^{Commercial Vacancy Rate by New York City Council District}

Licensed NYC Businesses Were Here

Beloved small businesses and grassroots cultural spaces in NYC are shuttered with high rents.

Landlords are pushing out long time tenants in the hopes of getting new, high paying tenants. Storefronts are kept empty.

There is an enormous number of empty storefronts in NYC.

Central Brooklyn, including Bed Stuy, East New York, and East Flatbush, have consistently seen the highest commercial vacancy rates.

Method

To find the commercial vacancy rate estimate, we examined the history of business licenses since 2015.

We examined locations where businesses operated at one time but where no business operates today. To be classified as vacancy, we only considered locations where no license existed for at least 6 months.

This is likely a conservative estimate, as locations that have remained vacant for more than two years are not counted and businesses may close before their license expires.

CALL CITY COUNCIL

212-788-7210

^{Calls count, leave a message.}

Share

PRESS

^{This Space Available}

^{The sad story behind NYC vacant storefronts}

^{How Manhattan Became a Rich Ghost Town}

212-788-7210

^{Calls count, leave a message.}

NYC’S M.A.R.C.H. RAIDS

• NYC’s Multi-Agency Response to Community Hotspots (M.A.R.C.H. raids)
• M.A.R.C.H. raids shutter vital cultural spaces with over 300 operations a year.
• Agents in SWAT outfits storm a venue at peak hours.
• Cause loss of wages and jobs, scare patrons and neighbors, and turn vibrant community spaces into empty storefronts.
• M.A.R.C.H. operates without oversight. No recourse possible for those targeted unfairly.

---

PROGRESS

Your historic pressure pushed New York City Council to introduce the bill for Transparency on M.A.R.C.H. raids. Now we need the majority of City Council to sign on. Call your City Council Member. Calling counts. 212-788-7210

New York City Council Members Signed On To #TalksNotRaids Bill

Click a Council Member to tweet thank you for signing on. Challenge their colleagues to join in at the same time. Call first. Phone calls are much more effective than social media.

^{Steven Levin
Council Member
District 33}

^{Rafael Espinal
Council Member
District 37}

^{Antonio Reynoso
Council Member
District 34}

^{Alicka Ampry-Samuel
Council Member
District 41}

^{Carlina Rivera
Council Member
District 2}

^{Deborah Rose
Council Member
District 49}

^{Ben Kallos
Council Member
District 5}

^{Helen Rosenthal
Council Member
District 6}

^{Keith Powers
Council Member
District 4}

^{Andrew Cohen
Council Member
District 11}

^{Diana Ayala
Council Member
District 8}

^{Brad Lander
Council Member
District 39}

^{Justin Brannan
Council Member
District 43}

^{Donovan Richards
Council Member
District 31}

^{Mark Gjonaj
Council Member
District 13}

Do you have friends in neighborhoods that are not green yet on the map? Share and tag your friends. Challenge them to call City Council.

"Reports from businesses and community leaders about fear-inducing raids are concerning and legislation will help city officials assess a more responsible path forward. I am proud to sponsor this much-needed legislation to shine a light on the M.A.R.C.H. Task Force and bring accountability to the process."

NYC City Council Member Stephen Levin

“As a business owner who works to add to the vibrancy, education and advancement of our neighborhood; the M.A.R.C.H. on Friends and Lovers was not only extremely intimidating but undermined all the efforts we've put into community building. Organizations can regulate with respect, transparency and without intimidation. ”

Diana Mora, owner of Friends and Lovers

“We came to this country to create a better life for our family and our community. If a complaint is made against us, or we make a mistake, we have no problem collaborating with city agencies to cure any issues. When M.A.R.C.H inspections occur, not only does it hurt us, but causes residents and patrons to mistrust enforcement officers. It’s a dream killer.”

Nola Rodney, owner of Hills Restaurant and Bar.

“For too long M.A.R.C.H. has been a Stasi-like tool used to intimidate small business owners without recourse, often fining them out of existence and, losing jobs, investments and dreams while creating empty storefronts in the fallout. There is currently no way to contact or to find M.A.R.C.H., elected officials believe it no longer exists, meanwhile it operates in the shadows of our democracy.”

Rachel Nelson, Secret Project Robot.

"We advocate for safety and preservation of grassroots cultural spaces through building relationships of trust with all stakeholders. Venues and artists most times have great relationships with their local officers at the precinct level, but when the MARCH task force appears--with what is effectively a scary raid--it wreaks havoc on valuable and vulnerable community spaces. We need talks not raids."

Olympia Kazi, NYC Artist Coalition.

MEDIA KIT

PRESS CONTACT
  contact@nycartc.com
  (347) 974-0860

^{Download Image
Artists, Cultural Icons, and City Officials Come Together to #SaveNYCSpaces
(NYC Artist Coalition)}

^{Download Image
Packed Town Hall to Save NYC Spaces
(NYC Artist Coalition)}

^{Download Image
Map of M.A.R.C.H Operations
(NYC Artist Coalition)}

PRESS

^{Palisades Owners Explain Why the Beloved Venue Was Shut Down}

^{Cut the Music: Inside M.A.R.C.H.—the NYPD's secret, venue-closing task force}

^{City Cracks Down on Nightclubs and May Revise Its Policies}

^{Nightlife mayor Ariel Palitz, in Bushwick, Brooklyn, says ‘We have a lot of talking to do’}

^{Here’s What New Yorkers Want the New Nightlife Mayor to Focus On}

TALKS NOT RAIDS COALITION

^{NYC Artist Coalition}

^{House of Yes}

^{Loisaida Center}

^{MOMENT NYC}

^{Secret Project Robot}

^{House Coalition}

^{Artist Studio Affordability Project}

^{The Floasis}

^{Friends and Lovers}

^Nowadays

^{Liquid Sound Lounge}

^{With Friends}

^{TBA Brooklyn}

^{New York Trax}

^{Magick City}

^{Happy Fun Hideaway}

^{Flowers for All Occasions}

^{Happy Fun Hideaway}

^SaveNYC

Call City Council

(212) 788-7210

“Pass SBJSA"

Tell your City Council Member:

"Sign On to SBJSA (Intro 737) #SaveNYCSpaces"

• “Small Business Jobs Survival Act” protects leases for cultural spaces and create the right to commercial lease renewal.

• Cultural spaces are in jeopardy and disappearing every day due to rising rents.

• SBJSA mandates that a commercial lease holder has the right to renew their lease for a period of 10 years.

New York City Council Members Now Signed on to SBJSA

Now we need the majority of City Council to sign on. Call your City Council Member and say "Pass SBJSA". Calling counts. 212-788-7210

At NYC Artist Coalition meetings, members prioritize action items and recommendations. You are welcome to join our regular meetings or email us with what we should be working on. Together we get your questions answered and issues resolved through mutual aid, access to support, and/or public advocacy as needed.

Prevent Criminalization

• #TalksNotRaids: Transparency on M.A.R.C.H. Raids in NYC (Multi-Agency Response to Community Hotspots). [Pass New York City Council Bill #1156]
• NYC's Office of Nightlife intervenes and mediates. [Prevent M.A.R.C.H. Raids]
• #LetNYCDance. Repeal NYC's discriminatory 1926 Cabaret Law. [Complete] Remove "dance" from zoning rule.

Access to Support #SaveNYCSpaces

• NYC's Office of Nightlife as Confidential Cultural Caseworker #NightlifeHelpDesk [Read More]
• Space Improvement and Code Compliance Fund: Fund operated by non profit to fund space improvements for safety and code compliance.
• Path to Being a Legal Community Space: understand, visualize simply for artists, publicize, assist, advocate

Promote Affordability

• Small Business Jobs Survival Act: The Right to Commercial Lease Renewal. [Pass New City Council Bill #737]
• Commercial Rent Stabilization: Board caps rent increase on all NYC commercial leases. Fair rent becomes the rule of the road.
• Landlord Vacancy Fine: Penalty for landlords who evict and keep storefronts empty.
• Community space incubator in underused city space
• Live-Work-Event Spaces: Expand opportunities and facilities.
• Expand NY's Loft Law [Read More]

NYC Office of Nightlife

NYC Office of Nightlife, created through our advocacy must:

• Do all the above plus Office specific actions and philosophies
• Earn trust. No registry of spaces. Opt-in for help.
• Work with diverse community groups across the city.
• Develop anti-displacement policies. Halt devastating real estate development pressures. #Nightlife4All.
• Multilingual Online Support and Phone Help Line Presence
• Provide Anonymized Data on Casework by Borough

Recommendations to City Officials

• Letter to the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment on the Night Mayor
• Recommendations to the Dept. of Cultural Affairs on CreateNYC Plan
• Cabaret Law Factsheet and Maps
• Letter to NYC City Council Member Espinal on Repealing the Cabaret Law
  
  

You #LetNYCDance! For almost a century NYC's Cabaret Law shut down NYC’s cultural spaces for social dancing. Era after era the "No Dancing" law was a tool of discrimination weaponized against particular groups and establishments.

NYC Artist Coalition members identified the city's "No Dancing" Cabaret Law as the number one issue that shuttered vital community spaces, reduced career chances, stifled creativity, and had no place in our civil society. A groundswell of support led by a coalition of advocates emerged to raise awareness of the issue and fight for the full repeal of the law. Now it is no more.

You did it! Cabaret Law Repealed! After 91 Years, New York Will Let Its People Boogie https://t.co/4DEw9MTiFM https://t.co/hZSvVdTDHU

— NYC Artist Coalition (@NYCArtC) November 3, 2017

After 91 years, thanks to the tireless efforts of folks like you, Dance Liberation Network, Dance Parade New York, House Coalition, Andrew Muchmore,
The Floasis, People's Cultural Plan, Legalize Dance, political pioneers like NYC City Council Member Rafael L Espinal, David Mancuso, Frank Sinatra and so many others, this discriminatory law is finally repealed!

The Cabaret Law was first introduced in 1926 during the Prohibition era to prevent interracial mingling in Harlem jazz clubs. Mayor Giuliani used the Cabaret Law in the ‘90s to shutter LGBTQ spaces and decimate culture. Until 2017, it criminalized social dancing, put marginalized people at risk, and pushed dance communities “underground” away from safety resources. It was a law that shut down community spaces for dancing.

Over its almost century-long history, the law has been periodically used as a tool to target specific groups and establishments. Several iconic performers such as, Theolonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, David Mancuso, and Frank Sinatra had been negatively impacted by the Cabaret Law.

Cabaret Law repeal Mayoral bill signing at Elsewhere in Brooklyn. November 27, 2017. Photo by NYC Artist Coalition.

Spaces that Can Now Allow Social Dancing

Of the 23,075 public places where food or drink are served, only 7,697 (33%) are in Use Group 12 and therefore can allow dancing.

Social dancing is permitted only in areas zoned C4, C6, C7, C8, M1, M2, & M3 for Use Group 12, the same as for arenas.

67% of places in New York City can not allow social dancing because of zoning.

Sources: Zoning Resolution 32-31, DOHMH New York City Restaurant Inspection Results

Cover photo by John McCarten

Tell NYC's Night Mayor: Save NYC Spaces
Wed, Oct 11, 6:30pm
Market Hotel, 1140 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, NY
RSVP / Share: https://www.facebook.com/events/120802405289008/

The City of New York is getting a Nightlife Mayor. Pack Market Hotel with creative heroes from across the city to tell the Commissioners who decide: #SaveNYCSpaces.

This artist-led event is the only chance for public input before the Night Mayor is chosen. Cultures that inspire the world are born and grow here in NYC's diverse grassroots spaces. They need to be preserved, not targeted nor forced out of existence by the affordability crisis.

The Night Mayor's job should be to #SaveNYCSpaces, not amplify gentrification.

Thank you for joining us on October 11 to make sure help goes to those who need it!

Who Was There?

◯ Host ◯
Anya Sapozhnikova
House of YES

◯ Speakers ◯
Kurtis Blow
Hip Hop's First Superstar
Charlie Ahearn
Director of "Wild Style"
Libertad Guerra
Loisaida Center
Nikki Brown
Dance Liberation Network
DeeArah Wright & Brian Polite
JACK Performance Space
Pooyan Aslani
Sunnyvale
Rachel Nelson
Secret Project Robot
Ali Rosa-Salas
Abrons Arts Center
Molly Cox 
The City Reliquary
Christopher Carroll
Musicians Union Local 802 AFM

◯ City Officials ◯
Julie Menin
Commissioner, Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment
Tom Finkelpearl
Commissioner, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs
Rafael L Espinal
New York City Council Member

◯ DJ ◯
Ali Coleman
House Coalition

Q&A
+ TBA

What Should the Night Mayor Do?

Prevent Criminalization
Repeal NYC's 1926 'No Dancing' Discriminatory Cabaret Law #LetNYCDance

Provide Access to Support
Confidential Cultural Caseworkers #NightlifeHelpDesk

Promote Affordability
The Night Mayor should NOT be in the pocket of real estate developers, which would cause further displacement in our neighborhoods. #NoGentrification

Apply to be the City's First Night Mayor and have a say help Save NYC Spaces. Include a resume and cover letter.

Want help with your application? Email: contact@nycartc.com

When applying, tell the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment:

• How you will facilitate outreach to all five Boroughs to reach every neighborhood's nightlife culture through public meetings.
• The Office of Nightlife needs to offer a pathway to legality for spaces that is easy to understand. Artist are not born knowing how to navigate bureaucracy.
• How the Office of Nightlife should create a Confidential Cultural Casework to build trust and a pathway to safety.

Job Description

Job Category: Constituent Services & Community Programs
Business Title: Senior Executive Director of Nightlife - MOME
Proposed Salary Range: $ 60,435.00 - $130,000.00 (Annual)
Career Level: Manager
Job ID: 302642

The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) encompasses the key economic and creative sectors of film, TV, theater, music, advertising, publishing, digital content and real estate as it relates to these industries. In total, these sectors account for over 305,000 jobs, and an economic output of $104 billion. The office promotes New York City as a thriving center of creativity, issuing permits for productions filming on public property, and facilitating production throughout the five boroughs. It also oversees NYC Media, the largest municipal broadcasting entity in the country including five TV Stations and a radio station with a reach of 18 million households and a 50-mile radius.

In June 2017, Mayor de Blasio announced that the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment would expand to include the first ever Office of Nightlife. Serving under the Commissioner of MOME, the Senior Executive Director of the Office of Nightlife will help establish this Office, implement recommendations made by a Nightlife Taskforce that will be convened to address challenges and opportunities in NYC’s nightlife industry, and manage day to day operations. The Office’s aim will be to promote an economically and culturally vibrant nightlife industry, while serving the best of interests of the City and its residents.

The Office of Nightlife will be managed by the Senior Executive Director who will promote an economically and culturally vibrant nightlife industry, while accounting for the best of interests of the City and its residents.

More specifically, responsibilities will include:

*Serve as an intermediary between City agencies, law enforcement, elected officials, the nightlife industry, and NYC residents;

*Develop and implement policies to support the health of the night time economy;

*Provide assistance with permitting, licensing, and approvals for nightlife businesses;

*Monitor trends, issues, and violations issued to nightlife establishments and develop methods to address issues in consultation with industry representatives, City agencies, community boards, residents, and other relevant stakeholders;

*Implement recommendations made in the Nightlife Taskforce report;

*Set the agenda for and managing day to day operations of the Office of Nightlife;

*Develop and implement policies designed to support a vibrant nightlife in New York City while ensuring health and safety of patrons, residents and communities are protected;

*Implement recommendations made in the Nightlife Taskforce report;

*Develop strong ties to the nightlife community, business associations, community boards, community and residential groups, city agencies and other key stakeholders;

*Work collaboratively with City agencies to address issues relating to nightlife;

*Represent the office on and before various industry events, commissions, and the City Council, including testifying, as needed (note this role may require work on nights and weekends);

*Manage staff, including but not limited to, permit specialists and field representatives.

Minimum Requirements

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and five years of full-time paid experience acquired within the last fifteen years, of supervisory or administrative experience including handling of business promotion or urban economic problems, at least 2 years of which must have been in a managerial or executive capacity with primary focus on business promotion or urban economic planning; or

2. A satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience. However all candidates must have 2 years of managerial or executive experience as described in "1" above.

Appropriate graduate study in an accredited college or university may be substituted for the general experience on a year-for-year basis. All candidates must have a four-year high school diploma or its equivalent approved by a State's Department of Education or a recognized accrediting organization.

Preferred Skills
The preferred candidate should possess the following:

• 5+ years of experience working closely with the nightlife or music industry;
• 5+ years of experience with NYC government regulations governing the nighttime economy or health/public safety;
• Understand of New York City politics and government structure;
• Experience managing competing interests and resolving conflicts;
• 5+ years of experience managing staff;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure, public facing role;
• Experience with public speaking;
• A highly collaborative and diplomatic nature;
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders with varying perspectives.

To Apply
For City employees, please go to Employee Self Service (ESS), click on Recruiting Activities > Careers, and search for Job ID #302642

For all other applicants, please go to http://www.nyc.gov/jobs/search and search for Job ID #302642

-or-

If you do not have access to a computer, please mail resume indicating Job ID # to:
Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT)
Recruitment Office - 2 Metrotech Center - 4th Floor - Brooklyn, NY 11201

Hours/Shift
Day - Due to the necessary management duties of this position in a 24/7 operation, candidate may be required to be on call and work various shifts such as weekends and/or nights/evenings.

Work Location
Manhattan, NY

Residency Requirement
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

POSTING DATE:
08/29/2017

Let NYC Dance: The Movement to Repeal the Cabaret Law

Post at Noon on Tuesday 8/8/17 and throughout the day on social media and in your email lists.

If everyone follows the guide, it will go viral.

GOAL
Many people throughout the city to call their NYC Council Member to Repeal the Cabaret Law by signing on to bill 1652 and create awareness for City Council Members.

HASHTAG
#LetNYCdance

Always include the hashtag on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

LINK & IMAGE
http://LetNYCDance.org

Always include the link in your Facebook and Twitter posts, it will create the preview image. Instagram image attached.

SAMPLE FACEBOOK/INSTAGRAM MESSAGE

Today is the day! 📞 Call your @NYCCouncil Member NOW to Repeal NYC's racist 1926 ‘No Dancing’ Cabaret Law and #LetNYCDance!

City Council 212-788-7210 Calls count, leave a message.

“May I speak with my Council Member? Did you know social dancing is illegal in NYC?
Sign Let NYC Dance Bill #1652. Repeal the racist 1926 'No Dancing' Cabaret Law.
Call me back.”

http://LetNYCDance.org

INSTAGRAM IMAGE

TWITTER

Make sure you are following all the members of the coalition on Twitter (below)
Retweet others posting the Call to Action.

SAMPLE TWEETS

CALL NOW @NYCCouncil 212-788-7210 "Sign #LetNYCDance Bill 1652. Repeal racist 1926 'No Dancing' Cabaret Law" http://LetNYCDance.org

End NYC ban on dancing! Call @NYCCouncil 212-788-7210. Sign on to Bill 1652. Repeal the Cabaret Law. #LetNYCDance http://LetNYCdance.org

I called @NYCCouncil to #LetNYCdance. Now I challenge @________. End NYC's racist 1926 ban on dancing! http://LetNYCdance.org

🏆NYC's diverse dance cultures thank @rlespinal for backing #LetNYCDance Bill 1652! @JulissaFerreras? @RoryLancman? http://LetNYCDance.org

🏆NYCs diverse dance cultures thank @CMReynoso34 for backing #LetNYCDance Bill 1652! @JulissaFerreras @gentileforDA? http://LetNYCDance.org

🏆NYC's diverse dance cultures thank @StephenLevin33 for backing #LetNYCDance Bill 1652! @ydanis? @JimmyVanBramer? http://LetNYCDance.org

🏆NYC's diverse dance cultures thank @CoreyinNYC for backing #LetNYCDance Bill 1652! @JulissaFerreras? @MMViverito? http://LetNYCDance.org

🏆NYC's diverse dance cultures thank @JumaaneWilliams for backing #LetNYCDance Bill 1652! @MarkLevineNYC? http://LetNYCDance.org

🏆NYC's diverse dance cultures thank @ritchietorres for backing #LetNYCDance Bill 1652! @DRichards13? @MMViverito? http://LetNYCDance.org

TWITTER TARGETS

.@NYCCouncil

.@JulissaFerreras

.@RoryLancman

.@gentileforDA

.@MMViverito

.@JimmyVanBramer

.@MarkLevineNYC

.@ydanis

PARTICIPATING GROUPS

Dance Liberation Network
NYC Artist Coalition
Dance Parade
People’s Cultural Plan
House Coalition
Color of Change
The Floasis
Legalize Dance

TWITTER HANDLES

Dance Liberation Network: @danceliberation
NYC Artist Coalition: @NYCArtC
Dance Parade: @DanceParadeNYC
People’s Cultural Plan: @Cultural_Plan
Color of Change: @ColorOfChange

FACEBOOK PAGES

Dance Liberation Network: danceliberationnetwork
NYC Artist Coalition: nycartc
Dance Parade: danceparadenyc
People’s Cultural Plan: peoplesculturalplan
House Coalition: housecoalition
Color of Change: colorofchange

EXTRA AMO / INFO

NYC’s Cabaret Law
*Created in 1926 to halt interracial dancing in jazz clubs

*Giuliani used to shutter gay bars and decimate culture.

*I love to dance and it should not be a crime.

*Fewer than 100 licensed spaces in all five boroughs

*Arbitrary enforcement creates discrimination today.

*Social dancing is a fundamental cultural expression.

*There are no legal community spaces to dance in most neighborhoods in NYC and fewer than 100 licensed spaces in all five boroughs.

*Racist, homophobic, discriminatory intent and legacy.

NYC Council Committee on Consumer Affairs Passes Council Member Espinal’s Bill Creating an Office of Nightlife, Nightlife Director and Nightlife Advisory Board

Today the members of the Consumer Affairs Committee voted to pass Intro No. 1648-A, which establishes an Office of Nightlife and a Nightlife Task Force.

Introduced just over a month ago, this marks a major milestone in achieving long-term support for the city’s nightlife industry and bridging the gaps between venues and their local communities. The bill is slated to pass the full City Council on August 24th.

Intro 1648:

Establishes an Office of Nightlife to be headed by a Director who shall be appointed by Mayor or the head of the agency within which the office is placed. Powers and duties include:

• Conduct outreach to nightlife establishments and provide information and assistance in relation to existing city policies and procedures for responding to complaints, violations and other enforcement actions and assist in the resolution of enforcement actions

• Serve as a point of contact for nightlife establishments and ensure adequate access to the office that is responsive to the nature of the nightlife industry

• Work with other city agencies to refer such establishments to city services that exist to help them in seeking to obtain relevant licenses, permits or approvals

• Review information obtained from 311 or other agencies on complaints and develop recommendations to address recurring problems or trends

• Review and convey to the office of labor standards information relating to nightlife industry workforce conditions and assist such office in developing recommendations

• Hold at least one public hearing in each borough

Establishes a permanent Nightlife Advisory Board. The Board will be an independent and diverse body comprised of 12 members; 4 to be appointed by the Mayor and 8 by the Speaker of the Council to serve for a two year term. Powers and duties include:

• Make annual recommendations to the Mayor and Council on ways to improve laws and policies that relate to the nightlife industry by evaluating: Workforce conditions, zoning and community development concerns, common complaints, public safety concerns, enforcement of industry related laws and rules.

• Keep a record of its deliberations and develop a procedure by which members of the public may make submissions to the board.

"Sign on to Bill 1652. Repeal the Cabaret Law. #LetNYCDance"

• Social dancing is a fundamental cultural expression.
• Arbitrary enforcement creates discrimination today.
• There are no legal community spaces to dance in most neighborhoods in NYC and fewer than 100 licensed spaces in all five boroughs.
• I love to dance and shouldn't be a criminal for it.
• Racist, homophobic, discriminatory intent and legacy.

Click the Map for Your City Council Member's Phone Number

End NYC's jazz-era ban on dancing. The Cabaret Law requires a permit for social dancing, which is almost impossible to get. Of the tens of thousands of places where New Yorkers dance, only 88 have a Cabaret License. Almost everywhere you might dance in New York City, it's illegal.

The people who get cited today are, as you would expect, the most marginalized. The Cabaret Law is used as a trojan horse to get through the door of our most vulnerable communities.

We applaud New York City Council for introducing bill #1652 to repeal this discriminatory unconstitutional law which has no place in today's civil society. We will fight to the finish to see it through.

On Our Letterhead:

NYC Artist Coalition - Letter to NYC Council Member Rafael Espinal "Repeal the Cabaret Law"

Cabaret Citations Jan 2016 - June 2017

in New York City Council Districts

Source: DNAInfo, City Stonewalls Council, Defends 'Racist' No Dancing Law

Active Cabaret Licenses

in New York City Council Districts

Source: NYC DCA Business License Applications, accessed August 2017

Created in 1926 with racist and discriminatory intent, the Cabaret Law has been systematically used as a conservative strategy to decimate cultural life. During the 1920s and '30s it targeted African American jazz establishments and was used to halt interracial dancing. In the '90s, it was redeployed by Mayor Giuliani against New York City’s thriving nightlife culture and to target gay and lesbian bars.

It is nearly impossible to receive a Cabaret License due to a combination of constraints and onerous zoning requirements.

Zoned for Cabaret Licenses

in New York City Council Districts

Sources: Zoning Resolution 32-21, Cabaret License Checklist, and NYC GIS Zoning Features

Currently, dancing is only allowed in spaces with a Cabaret License. Licenses are only granted in areas zoned C4, C6, C7, C8, M1, M2, & M3 for Use Group 12. These zoning categories imply wrongly that social dancing even among few people is equivalent to an arena.

When New York City is at its best, dancing happens everywhere. Repeal the Cabaret Law so we are free to engage with one another.

New York City Council Phone Numbers

Bronx
Brooklyn
Manhattan
Queens
Staten Island

Bronx

Allerton, 718-931-1721, James Vacca
Baychester, 718-684-5509, Andy King
Bedford Park, 718-549-7300, Andrew Cohen
Belmont, 718-842-8100, Ritchie Torres
Bronx Park East, 718-931-1721, James Vacca
Castle Hill, 718-792-1140, Annabel Palma
City Island, 718-931-1721, James Vacca
Claremont Village, 718-588-7500, Vanessa L Gibson
Clason Point, 718-792-1140, Annabel Palma
Co-op City, 718-684-5509, Andy King
Concourse, 718-588-7500, Vanessa L Gibson
Concourse Village, 718-402-6130, Rafael Salamanca Jr
Country Club, 718-931-1721, James Vacca
East Tremont, 718-402-6130, Rafael Salamanca Jr
Eastchester, 718-684-5509, Andy King
Edenwald, 718-684-5509, Andy King
Edgewater Park, 718-931-1721, James Vacca
Fieldston, 718-549-7300, Andrew Cohen
Fordham, 718-842-8100, Ritchie Torres
High Bridge, 718-588-7500, Vanessa L Gibson
Hunts Point, 718-402-6130, Rafael Salamanca Jr
Kingsbridge, 718-549-7300, Andrew Cohen
Longwood, 718-402-6130, Rafael Salamanca Jr
Melrose, 718-402-6130, Rafael Salamanca Jr
Morris Heights, 347-590-2874, Fernando Cabrera
Morris Park, 718-931-1721, James Vacca
Morrisania, 718-402-6130, Rafael Salamanca Jr
Mount Eden, 347-590-2874, Fernando Cabrera
Mott Haven, 212-828-9800, Melissa Mark-Viverito
Mount Hope, 347-590-2874, Fernando Cabrera
North Riverdale, 718-549-7300, Andrew Cohen
Northeast Bronx, 718-684-5509, Andy King
Norwood, 718-549-7300, Andrew Cohen
Olinville, 718-684-5509, Andy King
Parkchester, 718-792-1140, Annabel Palma
Pelham Bay, 718-931-1721, James Vacca
Pelham Gardens, 718-931-1721, James Vacca
Pelham Parkway, 718-931-1721, James Vacca
Port Morris, 718-402-6130, Rafael Salamanca Jr
Riverdale, 718-549-7300, Andrew Cohen
Schuylerville, 718-931-1721, James Vacca
Soundview, 718-792-1140, Annabel Palma
South Bronx, 212-828-9800, Melissa Mark-Viverito
Spuyten Duyvil, 718-549-7300, Andrew Cohen
Throgs Neck, 718-931-1721, James Vacca
Unionport, 718-792-1140, Annabel Palma
University Heights, 347-590-2874, Fernando Cabrera
Van Cortlandt Village, 718-549-7300, Andrew Cohen
Van Nest, 718-931-1721, James Vacca
Wakefield, 718-684-5509, Andy King
West Farms, 718-402-6130, Rafael Salamanca Jr
Westchester Square, 718-931-1721, James Vacca
Williamsbridge, 718-684-5509, Andy King
Woodlawn, 718-549-7300, Andrew Cohen
Zerega, 718-931-1721, James Vacca

Brooklyn

Bath Beach, 718-373-9673, Mark Treyger
Bay Ridge, 718-748-5200, Vincent Gentile
Bedford Stuyvesant, 718-919-0740, Robert Cornegy
Bensonhurst, 718-373-9673, Mark Treyger
Bergen Beach, 718-241-9330, Alan Maisel
Boerum Hill, 718-875-5200, Stephen Levin
Borough Park, 718-853-2704, David G. Greenfield
Brighton Beach, 718-368-9176, Chaim M. Deutsch
Broadway Junction, 718-642-8664, Rafael Espinal
Brooklyn Heights, 718-875-5200, Stephen Levin
Brooklyn Navy Yard, 718-875-5200, Stephen Levin
Brownsville, 718-953-3097, Darlene Mealy
Bushwick, 718-963-3141, Antonio Reynoso
Canarsie, 718-241-9330, Alan Maisel
Carroll Gardens, 718-499-1090, Brad Lander
City Line, 718-642-8664, Rafael Espinal
Clinton Hill, 718-260-9191, Laurie Cumbo
Cobble Hill, 718-499-1090, Brad Lander
Coney Island, 718-373-9673, Mark Treyger
Crown Heights, 718-919-0740, Robert Cornegy
Cypress Hills, 718-642-8664, Rafael Espinal
Ditmas Park, 718-287-8762, Mathieu Eugene
Downtown Brooklyn, 718-875-5200, Stephen Levin
Dumbo, 718-875-5200, Stephen Levin
Dyker Heights, 718-748-5200, Vincent Gentile
East Flatbush, 718-629-2900, Jumaane D. Williams
East New York, 718-649-9495, Inez Barron
East Williamsburg, 718-963-3141, Antonio Reynoso
Flatbush, 718-629-2900, Jumaane D. Williams
Flatlands, 718-629-2900, Jumaane D. Williams
Fort Greene, 718-260-9191, Laurie Cumbo
Fort Hamilton, 718-748-5200, Vincent Gentile
Fulton Ferry, 718-875-5200, Stephen Levin
Georgetown, 718-241-9330, Alan Maisel
Gerritsen Beach, 718-241-9330, Alan Maisel
Gowanus, 718-499-1090, Brad Lander
Gravesend, 718-373-9673, Mark Treyger
Greenpoint, 718-875-5200, Stephen Levin
Highland Park, 718-642-8664, Rafael Espinal
Homecrest, 718-368-9176, Chaim M. Deutsch
Kensington, 718-499-1090, Brad Lander
Madison, 718-368-9176, Chaim M. Deutsch
Manhattan Beach, 718-368-9176, Chaim M. Deutsch
Manhattan Terrace, 718-368-9176, Chaim M. Deutsch
Marine Park, 718-241-9330, Alan Maisel
Midwood, 718-853-2704, David G. Greenfield
Mill Basin, 718-241-9330, Alan Maisel
Mill Island, 718-241-9330, Alan Maisel
New Lots, 718-649-9495, Inez Barron
North Side Williamsburg, 718-963-3141, Antonio Reynoso
Ocean Hill, 718-953-3097, Darlene Mealy
Ocean Parkway, 718-853-2704, David G. Greenfield
Paerdegat Basin, 718-241-9330, Alan Maisel
Park Slope, 718-499-1090, Brad Lander
Prospect Heights, 718-260-9191, Laurie Cumbo
Prospect Lefferts Gardens, 718-287-8762, Mathieu Eugene
Prospect Park South, 718-287-8762, Mathieu Eugene
Red Hook, 718-439-9012, Carlos Menchaca
Remsen Village, 718-649-9495, Inez Barron
Rugby, 718-953-3097, Darlene Mealy
Sea Gate, 718-373-9673, Mark Treyger
Sheepshead Bay, 718-368-9176, Chaim M. Deutsch
South Side Williamsburg, 718-963-3141, Antonio Reynoso
Spring Creek, 718-649-9495, Inez Barron
Starrett City, 718-649-9495, Inez Barron
Sunset Park, 718-439-9012, Carlos Menchaca
Vinegar Hill, 718-875-5200, Stephen Levin
Wallabout, 718-260-9191, Laurie Cumbo
Weeksville, 718-919-0740, Robert Cornegy
Williamsburg, 718-875-5200, Stephen Levin
Windsor Terrace, 718-439-9012, Carlos Menchaca
Wingate, 718-953-3097, Darlene Mealy

Manhattan

Battery Park City, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin
Carnegie Hill, 212-860-1950, Ben Kallos
Central Harlem, 212-678-4505, Inez E. Dickens
Central Park, 212-873-0282, Helen Rosenthal
Central Park South, 212-818-0580, Daniel R. Garodnick
Chelsea, 212-564-7757, Corey Johnson
Chinatown, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin
Civic Center, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin
Clinton, 212-564-7757, Corey Johnson
East Harlem, 212-678-4505, Inez E. Dickens
East Harlem, 212-828-9800, Melissa Mark-Viverito
East Village, 212-677-1077, Rosie Mendez
El Barrio, 212-828-9800, Melissa Mark-Viverito
Financial District, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin
Flatiron, 212-564-7757, Corey Johnson
Governors Island, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin
Gramercy, 212-677-1077, Rosie Mendez
Grand Central, 212-818-0580, Daniel R. Garodnick
Greenwich Village, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin
Hamilton Heights, 212-928-6814, Mark Levine
Hell's Kitchen, 212-564-7757, Corey Johnson
Hudson Yards, 212-564-7757, Corey Johnson
Inwood, 917-521-2616, Ydanis Rodriguez
Kips Bay, 212-677-1077, Rosie Mendez
Lenox Hill, 212-860-1950, Ben Kallos
Lincoln Square, 212-873-0282, Helen Rosenthal
Little Italy, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin
Lower East Side, 212-677-1077, Rosie Mendez
Manhattan Valley, 212-928-6814, Mark Levine
Manhattanville, 212-928-6814, Mark Levine
Marble Hill, 917-521-2616, Ydanis Rodriguez
Midtown, 212-818-0580, Daniel R. Garodnick
Midtown South, 212-564-7757, Corey Johnson
Midtown West, 212-564-7757, Corey Johnson
Morningside Heights, 212-678-4505, Inez E. Dickens
Murray Hill, 212-818-0580, Daniel R. Garodnick
Noho, 212-677-1077, Rosie Mendez
Peter Cooper Village, 212-818-0580, Daniel R. Garodnick
Randalls Island, 212-828-9800, Melissa Mark-Viverito
Roosevelt Island, 212-860-1950, Ben Kallos
Rosehill, 212-677-1077, Rosie Mendez
San Juan Hill, 212-564-7757, Corey Johnson
Soho, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin
Stuyvesant Town, 212-818-0580, Daniel R. Garodnick
Sutton Place, 212-860-1950, Ben Kallos
Tribeca, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin
Tudor City, 212-818-0580, Daniel R. Garodnick
Turtle Bay, 212-818-0580, Daniel R. Garodnick
Upper East Side, 212-860-1950, Ben Kallos
Upper West Side, 212-678-4505, Inez E. Dickens
Washington Heights, 917-521-2616, Ydanis Rodriguez
Washington Square Village, 212-587-3159, Margaret Chin
Waterside, 212-818-0580, Daniel R. Garodnick
West Village, 212-564-7757, Corey Johnson
Yorkville, 212-860-1950, Ben Kallos

Queens

Arverne, 718-471-7014, Donovan Richards
Astoria, 718-274-4500, Costa Constantinides
Astoria Heights, 718-274-4500, Costa Constantinides
Auburndale, 718-619-8611, Paul Vallone
Bay Terrace, 718-619-8611, Paul Vallone
Bayside, 718-619-8611, Paul Vallone
Beechhurst, 718-619-8611, Paul Vallone
Bellaire, 718-468-0137, Barry Grodenchik
Belle Harbor, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich
Bellerose, 718-468-0137, Barry Grodenchik
Blissville, 718-383-9566, Jimmy Van Bramer
Breezy Point, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich
Briarwood, 718-217-4969, Rory Lancman
Broad Channel, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich
Brookville, 718-471-7014, Donovan Richards
Cambria Heights, 718-776-3700, I. Daneek Miller
College Point, 718-619-8611, Paul Vallone
Douglaston, 718-619-8611, Paul Vallone
Downtown Flushing, 718-888-8747, Peter Koo
East Elmhurst, 718-651-1917, Julissa Ferreras
Edgemere, 718-471-7014, Donovan Richards
Elmhurst, 718-803-6373, Daniel Dromm
Far Rockaway, 718-471-7014, Donovan Richards
Floral Park, 718-468-0137, Barry Grodenchik
Forest Hills, 718-544-8800, Karen Koslowitz
Forest Hills Gardens, 718-544-8800, Karen Koslowitz
Fresh Meadows, 718-468-0137, Barry Grodenchik
Glen Oaks, 718-468-0137, Barry Grodenchik
Glendale, 718-366-3900, Elizabeth Crowley
Hillcrest, 718-217-4969, Rory Lancman
Hollis, 718-776-3700, I. Daneek Miller
Holliswood, 718-468-0137, Barry Grodenchik
Howard Beach, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich
Hunters Point, 718-383-9566, Jimmy Van Bramer
Jackson Heights, 718-803-6373, Daniel Dromm
Jamaica Center, 718-217-4969, Rory Lancman
Jamaica Estates, 718-217-4969, Rory Lancman
Jamaica Hills, 718-217-4969, Rory Lancman
Kew Gardens, 718-544-8800, Karen Koslowitz
Kew Gardens Hills, 718-217-4969, Rory Lancman
Laurelton, 718-471-7014, Donovan Richards
Lefrak City, 718-651-1917, Julissa Ferreras
Lindenwood, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich
Little Neck, 718-619-8611, Paul Vallone
Long Island City, 718-383-9566, Jimmy Van Bramer
Malba, 718-619-8611, Paul Vallone
Maspeth, 718-366-3900, Elizabeth Crowley
Middle Village, 718-366-3900, Elizabeth Crowley
Murray Hill, 718-888-8747, Peter Koo
Neponsit, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich
North Corona, 718-651-1917, Julissa Ferreras
Oakland Gardens, 718-468-0137, Barry Grodenchik
Ozone Park, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich
Pomonok, 718-217-4969, Rory Lancman
Queens Village, 718-468-0137, Barry Grodenchik
Queensboro Hill, 718-888-8747, Peter Koo
Ravenswood, 718-274-4500, Costa Constantinides
Rego Park, 718-544-8800, Karen Koslowitz
Richmond Hill, 718-544-8800, Karen Koslowitz
Ridgewood, 718-366-3900, Elizabeth Crowley
Rochdale, 718-206-2068, Ruben Wills
Rockaway Park, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich
Rosedale, 718-471-7014, Donovan Richards
Roxbury, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich
Seaside, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich
Somerville, 718-471-7014, Donovan Richards
South Corona, 718-651-1917, Julissa Ferreras
South Jamaica, 718-776-3700, I. Daneek Miller
South Ozone Park, 718-206-2068, Ruben Wills
Springfield Gardens, 718-471-7014, Donovan Richards
St. Albans, 718-776-3700, I. Daneek Miller
Steinway, 718-274-4500, Costa Constantinides
Sunnyside, 718-383-9566, Jimmy Van Bramer
Sunnyside Gardens, 718-383-9566, Jimmy Van Bramer
Utopia, 718-217-4969, Rory Lancman
Whitestone, 718-619-8611, Paul Vallone
Woodhaven, 718-738-1083, Eric Ulrich
Woodside, 718-383-9566, Jimmy Van Bramer

Staten Island

Annadale, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli
Arden Heights, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli
Arlington, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Arrochar, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
Bay Terrace, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli
Bloomfield, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
Bulls Head, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
Butler Manor, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli
Castleton Corners, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Charleston, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli
Chelsea, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
Clifton, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Concord, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
Dongan Hills, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
Egbertville, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
Elm Park, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Eltingville, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli
Emerson Hill, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
Graniteville, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Grant City, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
Grasmere, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
Great Kills, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli
Greenridge, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli
Grymes Hill, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Heartland Village, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli
Howland Hook, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Huguenot, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli
Lighthouse Hill, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
Manor Heights, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
Mariner's Harbor, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Midland Beach, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
New Brighton, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
New Dorp, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
New Dorp Beach, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
New Springville, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
Oakwood, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
Old Town, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
Park Hill, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Pleasant Plains, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli
Port Ivory, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Port Richmond, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Prince's Bay, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli
Randall Manor, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Richmond Town, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
Richmond Valley, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli
Rosebank, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Rossville, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli
Sandy Ground, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli
Shore Acres, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Silver Lake, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
South Beach, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
St. George, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Stapleton, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Sunnyside, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Todt Hill, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
Tompkinsville, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Tottenville, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli
Travis, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
West Brighton, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Westerleigh, 718-980-1017, Steven Matteo
Willowbrook, 718-556-7370, Deborah Rose
Woodrow, 718-984-5151, Joseph Borelli

The New York City Council Committee on Consumer Affairs
Oversight: Enforcement of New York City’s Cabaret Law (T 2017-6287)
Establishing an office of nightlife and a nightlife task force (Int 1648-2017)

by New York City Artist Coalition

Monday June 19th, 2017

Thank you for holding this hearing. We are truly encouraged by Council Member Espinal’s leadership and commitment to a long overdue repeal of the senseless and unjust Cabaret Law.

In one sentence, our testimony could be: Social Dancing Is Not A Crime.

We advocate for the safety and preservation of informal cultural spaces, such as DIY music venues. These spaces are critical to our city’s cultural production and vital for the people they serve and support. Such venues are often victims of arbitrary enforcement of the Cabaret Law and as a result several are being shuttered. The Cabaret Law pushes our communities underground and into unsafe environments.

In New York we have a de facto ban on social dancing. It is nearly impossible to receive a Cabaret License--especially for DIY venues, nonprofits and small businesses--due to a combination of out-of-scale permitting requirements and zoning restrictions. NYC has less than a 100 licensed cabarets, leaving many neighborhoods without any legal venues for dancing. Beyond denying all New Yorkers a fundamental right of cultural expression, this law also directly affects the livelihood of many when it becomes the means to closing down a business.

There is a lot of confusion on what the Cabaret Law actually regulates beyond social dancing. Building, fire and noise codes, as well as other requirements such as certificates of occupancy, public assembly permits and SLA licensing ensure the safety of all and protect the public from disturbance. The requirements regarding recordings and security guards are associated to a venue’s capacity and not with dancing. To be honest, someone who spends a sweaty night on the dance floor is much less likely to disturb or be violent than someone who spent the night drinking.

Created in 1926 with racist and discriminatory intent, the Cabaret Law has been systematically used as a tool to target nightlife and especially communities of color and LGBTQ communities. Today the City does not enforce the Cabaret Law across the board. A law that is not supposed to be enforced should not be on the books. By maintaining it we enable NYPD and task-forces such as