Sunday, March 15, 2009

Watch the new video documentary "200 Lincolns"



200 Lincolns Art Exhibit Presented by The Chicago Art Department
Featuring the artwork of 200 Chicago Artists
A Documentary by JaGoFF

This is the video from the "200 Lincolns" exhibit that JaGoFF took part in at The Chicago Art Department last month. With all of the planning that we had to do for the Promoters' Ordinance panel disussion for last week's event at Old Town School, we kind of fell behind on the editing for the art exhibit documentary video. Nonetheless, here it is. The video covers both the set-up party and opening night festivities. JaGoFF had two pieces in the exhibit, which you can view here. We also posted the photos of the evening which you are free to view. Enjoy.

Documented here are:
(00:00 - 12:32) CAD: Art Drop off/Set-up party on Feb 6th
(12:33 - 31:46) CAD: Opening Night Reception/Art Exhibit on Feb 13th

Background Story:
In comemmoration of Abraham Lincoln's Bicentennial Birthday, the Chicago Art Department invited the creative community to submit 200 pieces of Lincoln inspired work. The walls, floor and ceilings of CAD were dripping with Abe and an Abe in every medium: skateboard art, video installments, commemorative stamps, modified dunnies, a crucified Abe, a recreated Mutoscope (circa 1895) and even an Abe of the edible variety.

This documentary includes several artist interviews and overall set-up and party footage. Many thanks to everyone who participated. The night was amazing.

Special thanks to the amazing folks at:
The Chicago Art Department
ChicagoArtDepartment.org

Produced and directed by JaGoFF (Sir Real & Mofo)
Filmed live in Chicago by Sir Real.
Edited by Mofo.«

Monday, March 2, 2009

Join us Friday March 6th: Stop the Chicago Promoter's Ordinance! Free Speech First Friday

Free Speech First Friday
Stop the Chicago Promoter's Ordinance!
Friday March 6th 6:30 pm
The Old Town School of Folk Music
4544 N Lincoln Ave

On March 6th, members of Chicago's music community come together to create action that will stop the Chicago Promoter's Ordinance from killing our thriving music scene. Come to Free Speech First Friday to learn what you can do to help!

Free Speech First Friday includes an ongoing screening of the documentary 'The Chicago Promoter's Ordinance Kills Independent Music', and a Free Speech Jam. There will also be an an open forum for all to offer empowering ideas about what actions we can take to stop the ordinance. Jim DeRogatis (Sun Times), JaGoFF (creators of the documentary/TheRecordIndustry.com), Paul Natkin (Chicago Music Commission), and more Chicago musicians and activists will attend.

Please join us!
6:30 Free Speech Song Circle (with Cathy Norden).
7:30 we'll roll ' The Chicago Promoters Ordinance Kills Independent Music" all night and start the forum simultaneously in the 2nd floor lobby.
Old Town School of Folk Music
4544 N Lincoln Ave.

Free Speech First Friday
Stop the Chicago Promoter's Ordinance!
Friday March 6th 6:30 pm
The Old Town School of Folk Music
4544 N Lincoln Ave

On March 6th, members of Chicago's music community come together to create action that will stop the Chicago Promoter's Ordinance from killing our thriving music scene. Come to Free Speech First Friday to learn what you can do to help!

Free Speech First Friday includes an ongoing screening of the documentary 'The Chicago Promoter's Ordinance Kills Independent Music', and a Free Speech Jam. There will also be an an open forum for all to offer empowering ideas about what actions we can take to stop the ordinance. Jim DeRogatis (Sun Times), JaGoFF (creators of the documentary/TheRecordIndustry.com), Paul Natkin (Chicago Music Commission), and more Chicago musicians and activists will attend.

Please join us!
6:30 Free Speech Song Circle (with Cathy Norden).
7:30 we'll roll ' The Chicago Promoters Ordinance Kills Independent Music" all night and start the forum simultaneously in the 2nd floor lobby.
Old Town School of Folk Music
4544 N Lincoln Ave.

Reaction to the ordinance:

"... will pretty much drop a bomb on Chicago's independent music community, if not nuke it entirely."
- Jim DeRogatis, Chicago Sun-Times

"unconstitutional."
Henry H. Perritt, Jr.,
Former Dean & Professor of Law,
Chicago-Kent College of Law

"... a threat to the creative communities throughout the country and sets a very dangerous precident - as one city goes, so goes another. Rinse and repeat."
- TheRecordIndustry.com

"The ordinance will reduce the amount of music in Chicago, make events more expensive for consumers, dampen the large and growing economic engine that is Chicago music, and create a much less supportive business climate for Chicago's small music business community."
- The Chicago Music Commission

WHAT IS THE CHICAGO PROMOTERS ORDINANCE?

The Chicago Promoter's Ordinance is a terrible piece of
legislation that would require:

- $500 - $2000 for license (even if working w/ licensed club).

- Submit to fingerprinting & background check.

- Must acquire $300,000 in liability insurance.

- Definition of promoter is so vague and could apply to not only to promoters, but also effects bands, djs, theater, and other artists.

It can also "equipt the police to be completely arbitrary… if they want to bust somebody, it gives them a way to do it. That is absolutely the enemy of a free society," (Henry Perritt).

Read the white paper:
"Why the Event Promoters Ordinance should be rejected"
by Henry H. Perritt, Jr., Professor of Law, Chicago-Kent College of Law

Click here to read more about the Promoters' Ordinance at TheRecordIndustry.com

You can take action by sending emails to the Mayor's office and/or your alderman at 4TheMusic.org

It's your city, it's your culture, DO SOMETHING!