The Madison City Commission is showing its cautious side this month. Monday night it put off action on a request from the Jaycees to hold a street dance at the end of July. Th commissioners didn't actually say the Jaycees can't hold the street dance; the action the commission delayed ws issuing a one-day malt beverage license, which apparently is an essential component of holding a street dance.
The alcohol side of the dance brought local counselor Kelly Johnson to the board meeting to express concerns about the street dance. He worries that street dances promote intoxication and other unhealthy behaviors that our community should not support. According the Tuesday print MDL, similar concerns about public safety prompted the commission to deny the Jaycees' last request for a booze license for a street dance back in 2001. This year the commission is giving the Jaycees a week to work on those security issues and report back at next week's meeting.
A street dance wouldn't be a bad thing. As the Jaycees point out, it will add some festivity to Crazy Days (oops, that's Beadle Days, remember?) and help celebrate Madison's selection by Governor Rounds as nicest little town in the world for 2007. So who needs a malt beverage license? Why don't the Jaycees say nuts to the city commission, hold their dance, and just sell pop and pizza? Without alcohol on tap, the dance could be a family-friendly environment where all Madison residents could come celebrate together comfortably. And we could send a message to the kids that we as a community recognize that we don't need alcohol to have a good time. Forget the booze; let's just boogie!
Actually, that's what the Jaycees are doing. I talked with one of the Jaycees' officers and he said the bars would be selling the beer and booze; the booze permit would just let the folks legally come outside with their drinks.
ReplyDeleteSo basically the Jaycees are selling pop and pizza... I hope no hot dogs, though, cause I'm still reeling over the one that made me sick at Relay for Life!
Thanks for that explanation, Jackrabit1! I thoguht maybe the Jaycees wanted their own tap.
ReplyDeleteSo suppose the city commission balks tomorrow night. Would the Jaycees consider staging the street dance two blocks north, closer to wholesome Chinese food and ice cream? Would Madisonites (and Rutlanders, Ramonans, et al) consider coming to a dance without beer in their hands? Let's try it: less drunk, more funk!
Good question... but I think if the commission balks tomorrow, this thing'll be dead in the water. Especially with all the logistics in nailing down security, band, etc.
ReplyDeleteI hope they find a way to make it happen, booze or no booze. A street dance is a good event for locals and visitors. Maybe my teetotaling skews my view of the world, but I would think an alcohol-free street dance (no sales, at least: I don't envision tossing out people who've had a drink or two) would distinguish Madison in a very positive way. "Discover the Unexpected": people having fun without alcohol!
ReplyDeleteIt didn't happen... from what it sounds like, the commission was looking for any excuse to pull the plug on this thing.
ReplyDeleteWell, there's always the Chester Street Dance (July 14th, featuring "Eclipse"!)