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June 24, 2005

But Life is a Cabaret, Old Chum!

2005_06_cabaret.jpgA group of dancers is suing the New York City over its cabaret laws. Currently, NYC requires any establishment with three or more dancers to have a license. And many establishments don't, because they are difficult to get and are only allowed in certain areas. Norman Siegel is representing the dancers, and told the press, "Most New Yorkers think we're making it up. They [people] don't believe ... if you get up and move your body to a jukebox and that bar or restaurant doesn't have a cabaret license, [it] can be padlocked." Newsday also had this fabulous quote from the Mayor, though it's unclear when he gave it: "I don't think in this day and age we need dance police." But we do need the smoking police! Gothamist hopes the dancers are successful in keeping dancing where it belongs: Wherever the bootyshakers want it to belong.

This reminds us of Rheingold's "Don't Sleep" campaign, that made fun of NYC's strange laws about smoking, dancing, and being able to sit on milk crates. And Gothamist doesn't know any of the songs on Billboard's Hot Dance Music list.

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Comments (5)

I have to agree with the dancers, the cabaret license is pretty ridiculous.

 

The cabaret license is ridiculous. I was at Cafe Carbon in the Lower East Side one night and they told people to stop dancing to the music because they didn't have a Cabaret license and it was therefore illegal.

 

And is a license needed because: Money makes the world go 'round, the world go 'round?

 

You quote the Mayor as (perhaps) saying we don't need dance police, then add your own smirking editorial remark: "But we do need the smoking police!" Dancing doesn't kill people. Nor does it kill the people standing around watching people dance. Smoking does. Give it a rest.

 

hi
i'm raffa and i'm from poland in europe. during last autumn in 2005, on day after rain i saw sad people around me because of bad weather so i thought that it will be much better if i do something funny so i started puddle jumpin' and i feel very happy.
today i use google and i found yours page about pj. i wish to get some email from you about yours experiences, photos etc.
bye
p.s. i'm 22.

 
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