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Hey Everybody!
Hell hath frozen over! I went to a WAMI meeting. Yep! It's true, don't turn the page!! I can explain!!! Ok.... First, why did I go? A WAMI member that I've been emailing back and forth for the last year and a half insisted to me that WAMI was interested in new ideas and were open to change. Of course, I balked at that notion for some time. She was very persistent. She understood how I felt about WAMI as she had her own qualms with them in the past. Upon her prodding, I finally got up off my couch, away from the 32" TV where football once reigned and get to a meeting. Hi, I'm Rökker and I'm an alco- wait a second. Wrong meeting.
All jokes aside, I was interested to see if it was true, was change really a possibility? The first affirmation of that fact came as the President, Vic Thomas, announced that they were open to new board members as many of the senior board members from the past had resigned. Scary! There were also many new board members in place and all seem to have one goal in mind. Promoting Wisconsin music and recognizing its successes. The old themes were in place, networking, unity, education and all the rhetoric. But I've been here before, and I'm probably a little like Reagan in some ways.....but since they are willing to change, I'm willing to see it through!! So I'm gonna take my stab at helping WAMI become a credible organization with integrity. Am I nuts? I'm a glutton? It just goes to show how much I respect and love the music scene in Wisconsin!! I will keep you posted on my progress. If you would like to comment on WAMI related topics or read other's comments, I have set up a MESSAGE BOARD underneath the LINK SECTION at the website (MESSAGE BOARD) www.geocities.com/wami_org. Feel free to post your comments. I may take some to the meetings with me....Wish me luck. And to their credit, they were all very nice people!
Madison Nightclubs!!!
Holy shit!! If anyone still does not know, in mid January, the Annex caught on fire (don't worry, it was just a mere flesh wound, but scary enough). I know what you're thinking. In fact, everyone else thinks it too!! Conspiracy theories, X-Files....The Onion is writing about it, the Isthmus is writing about it.....strange goings on. I had a friend, who upon hearing that the Annex had caught on fire said "fuck conspiracy mode, I'm in witch-hunt mode!". Now I'm not trying to start or uphold a conspiracy, I'm just saying that the people are starting to show, in print, media and verbally their loyalty to the music scene. The music scene is important to the people and the economy. I came to Madison because this was a place of youth as well as politics. Now, there is a war on fun (as the Isthmus puts it, and they are right!). I've watched, as many of the staples of Madison have gone by the wayside. I will not forget MIFFLIN STREET BLOCK PARTY, I will not forget HALLOWEEN ON STATE STREET, I won't forget the HARVEST FEST on the Capitol lawn, bringing 10,000 or so bong carrying hippies to protest marijuana laws! This city's government has gotten way too conservative chasing their Money Magazine status and $100,000,000 art districts. Well, local music is art, too! And Sue Bauman and administration have forgotten that! Even George W's home state of Texas has a Music Office under the Governor. They claim that "The Texas Music Office serves as the information clearinghouse and promotion office for the Texas music industry". Here's their website, check for yourself. www.governor.state.tx.us/music/index.htm .
JIM SCHWALL FOR MAYOR!
I'm starting now. It's time for a change, and I am looking to start. Jim Schwall is best known for being a member of seventies hit group THE SIEGEL-SCHWALL BAND. Jim can be seen playing many of his own benefit shows around town. I spoke with him last month, and you can bet as a mayor, his administration would not allow such foolhardy decision making as the current ALRC (Alcohol License Review Comission). I say let's take something away and vote the current administration out of office at our first chance!
Recently, the mayor responded to the Onion's Stephen Thompson's "Memo To Madison". She said "The destruction of O'Cayz is a huge loss to the Madison music scene and I would hope that it will be rebuilt. It is my understanding that the alder of the Distict in question does not want a liquor license at that location".
What!? Your place burns and if you rebuild they won't give you your license back? What kind of crap is this? I won't stand for it! They hassled Paramount till it was gone. They hassled East End till it was gone. They hassled Mango till it was gone. Wiped from existence by the government!
Adventures with Elizabeth:
Last fall I bought Elizabeth a Djembe from Drums n' Moore, an authentic African one from the Ivory Coast. She has taken to playing it as a tribal beat behind the abc song. She has a great rhythm behind the song and is flawless once she's warmed up. And, you have to clap before you get the song played for you again. But that's a cheap price to pay for such talent! She also love's playing drums for Mommy's friends Jamie and Shawn. Every time she gets behind the kit she asks where they are.
See you next month!
Rökker, Publisher |
