Beatnik Turtle's Backstage Blog

Save Live Music in Chicago

randy — Tue, 13 May 2008 15:02:56 +0000

We at Beatnik Turtle want to raise awareness of a particularly troubling proposed set of regulations for Chicago. They seem to be tailored to destroy live music and small theater. To what purpose, we have no idea.

You can read about it at the Save Chicago Culture website, where you can find ways to sign a petition if you are a Chicago resident. If you are, we urge you to call your Alderman and write a letter.

Here’s an excerpt from the blog that explains the situation:

The “Event Promoters” ordinance requires any event promoter to have a license from the city of Chicago and liability insurance of $300,000, but that’s just the start:

The definition of “event promoter” is so loosely defined it could apply to a band that books its own shows or a theater company that’s in town for a one-week run.

“Event Promoter” must be licensed and will pay $500 - $2000 depending on expected audience size.

To get the license, applicant must be over 21, get fingerprinted, submit to a background check, and jump over several other hurdles.

This ordinance seems targeted towards smaller venues, since those with 500+ permanent seats are exempt.

Police must be notified at least 7 days in advance of event.

For the complete ordinance, check out Jim DeRogatis’ blog on the Chicago Sun-Times.

Demand Beatnik Turtle

randy — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 20:48:00 +0000

Now that Beatnik Turtle is finally done with Song of the Day, we’ve gotten on Eventful, which is a service that lets you demand that we play in your city. If we can get enough people wanting us to play in a particular place, we can considering going on the road.

If you’d like to demand that we play in your town, just click on this below:

Come Hang Out With The Band (And See Some Great Live Music)

randy — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:52:33 +0000

On Sunday, April 20th, Beatnik Turtle was supposed to play at the Abbey Pub for our fourth appearance at the International Pop Overthrow. We were excited, it’s a great spring show for us, and we were gearing up to play lots of new songs from Song of the Day as well as perhaps a live version of Pizza: The Rock Opera.

Alas, the IPO this year is not to be for us. One of our band members had an emergency, and can’t make it. Instead, the band Cyclesomething will be taking our place.

And we’re going to be there.

Come on out, see some great IPO music on a Sunday afternoon, and hang out with the band in a way that you never get to when we play. Hope you can make it! We certainly will.

Sunday Afternoon, April 20
The Abbey (All Ages!)
3420 W. Grace
773 478-4408
$8

1:00 ScribbleMonster
1:30 Woodward
2:00 Gidgets Ga Ga
2:30 Blackout 101
3:00 Catsplash
3:30 Cyclesomething

BT Live On the Radio!

randy — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:30:43 +0000

Beatnik Turtle will be performing LIVE on the radio on WLUW on the Razor and Die show!

If you’re not in Chicago, tune in from the website itself.