Posted by: ConnorGilks Apr 16 2013, 06:18 PM
Hi everyone, I wanted to ask for your help on something very important to me. The government in BC wants to put limits on all-ages shows in my province, and it would mean a lot if you all could read and sign this petition to revise our liquor laws. YES, RESIDENTS OF ANY COUNTRY CAN SIGN THE PETITION.
The details of what the petition is asking for are in the link (http://www.change.org/petitions/government-of-british-columbia-improve-liquor-laws-to-facilitate-live-music-for-people-of-all-ages), and I'll copy and paste what I wrote on Facebook regarding this issue, hopefully you'll see why this is a big deal to me and the music community in my province.
QUOTE
I'd like to ask for you to take 5 minutes to read this - this means the world to me.
The provincial government wishes to put restrictions on live music events, not allowing all-ages shows at venues with a liquor license. Why should you care? Well, with these restrictions in place it doesn't allow underage fans to go to a large portion of shows in BC. There's already a very small amount of all-ages shows going on and it's continuously getting harder to have these shows. The liquor laws in BC are outdated and need to be changed in order to accommodate all-ages shows.
I know so many of you think that all-ages shows don't matter, and that I'm just saying this because people won't come to my shows and therefore my band won't get as many fans. You could not be more wrong.
I am the person I am today because of all-ages shows that allowed me to go see great bands and meet great people that I could actually relate to. The type of music I play is generally looked at in a negative light and is highly criticized for being "negative". While this itself is incorrect, we do understand that music like metal, punk and hardcore can draw individuals that aren't always accepted or on the right path, many of which or underage kids. Without all-ages shows we (myself included) are not able to reach out to those kids and give them a place that they fit in and are accepted. Without all-ages shows we are not only taking away an essential part of the music scene that affects the bands, but it denies anyone the same opportunities I received in music, and in the BC music scene.
The local music scene and all-ages shows are what have kept me on the right path, we cannot take this opportunity away from thousands of kids. Please sign this petition, I beg of you. This can be the difference between music being entertainment, and music being a way out, a way of life, and a place to be accepted.
Thanks for your time. Spread the word and let's make music available for everyone.