Ghosts in the Valley

Why aren’t more people talking action?

Philadelphia City Council Bill 100267 – aka “The Promoter’s Bill” will effectively end performance art in the city of Philadelphia by requiring large amounts of paperwork from people who already barely make a living.

The bill requires anyone who organizes any type of performance to seek permission in writing from the local police district at least 30 days in advance. This is an impossible request for many small venues and galleries. Most small venues don’t have the staff to comply with this proposal.

The passage of this bill would also put an unnecessary burden on a police department that is already overworked and underpaid. With many clubs putting on 300+ shows a year this will create a huge paperwork backlog at local police districts.

The only people who could possibly meet these new requirements are large corporate entities with a full-time clerical staff. Our band, like many other local artists, would be left with nowhere to play. In effect, most artistic endeavors will be driven out of the city.

This bill is poorly written, uses broad language and inevitably will be misinterpreted at the expense of all local artists. You can help fight it by signing the petition here: http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/bill100267/

FREE SONG!

We’ve recorded this song to make our voice heard.  Share it with everyone you know.  We encourage everyone to take similar action. Speak out.  Tell City Hall that you believe in freedom of peaceable assembly and that the police have more important work than deciding if and when artists are allowed to perform. 

Listen and Download the Ghosts in the Valley song “Special Assembly Permit”.

Ghosts In The Valley – “Special Assembly Permit”

Here’s the lyrics:

Shut ‘em down, Shut ‘em down
No room for you in this town
Pay your bribe to L&I
Or we’re gonna shut you down

Don’t want us to play here
Don’t want us to stay here
Don’t want us to play here anymore