Theatre Bizarre

[1KielsonDrive]

So any party in which the host hands you a beer as you walk through the door ought to be regulated??

No, of course not. Typical response from someone arguing only one side of the debate, not interested in possibly seeing both sides - attempt to put extreme words/positions into the other sides position.

[Quazar]

I love Theater Bizarre and think they are doing a great thing. However, it isn't that the city was unfair, or that it got to popular. Theater Bizarre launched a massive campaign to get the Governor to approve parking at the state fair grounds. If anything this should be a lesson to all start-up and existing ventures in this city. If you are going to get government involved in your business, be prepared for them to get involved, and if your ducks are not in a row, they are going to find out.

This situation is a good example of not understanding law and government and the consequences of operating with a lack of understanding.

[Baselinepunk]

"Theater Bizarre launched a massive campaign to get the Governor to approve parking at the state fair grounds."

Why not just have Theater Bizarre at the State Fair Grounds?

[n7hn]

I said that right off........ too much on the radar. soliciting emails to the governor .... demanding state grounds to drink and whore it up....... What is this a Political rally?

[Gannon]

Gannon? Did somebody steal your password or something?

Heh.

Do I look like a TOTAL outlaw here?


Jeez, can't a fellow advocate for the abolishing of hemp prohibition and turn a few red lights into stop signs in the wee no-traffic hours without being accused of being anti-civilization?!


Perhaps in some really brainwashed and programmed minds, that might be so.


Cheers!

[Bearinabox]

Heh.

Do I look like a TOTAL outlaw here?


Jeez, can't a fellow advocate for the abolishing of hemp prohibition and turn a few red lights into stop signs in the wee no-traffic hours without being accused of being anti-civilization?!


Perhaps in some really brainwashed and programmed minds, that might be so.


Cheers!

I never said you were anti-civilization. Stop being paranoid. I'm with you on the weed and don't give a shit about the traffic lights [[that wasn't the least interesting thread in the history of DetroitYes, but was definitely in the top fifteen or twenty). All I'm saying is, well, put it this way: didn't you used to hang out at the BoHouse all the time?

[Quazar]

I said that right off........ too much on the radar. soliciting emails to the governor .... demanding state grounds to drink and whore it up....... What is this a Political rally?

Honestly, they got off quite easy. I've been reading several forums and discussions and though the city has a bad rap, they were quite generous in this case. Tickets could have been issued and charges could have been pressed. I think this is an example of the city trying to work with a event, not shut it down.

[Gannon]

Funny you would assume my joke indicated anything of the sort. I am never paranoid, and have no fears. It's part of how I'm wired.



As for the Bo, I never hung out there before living in it for six months or so last year. I didn't RUN the place. I slept there and stored my life's collection of stuff.



This year, I heard they got raided...but had a temporary permit and were doing everything above board. Cops had to back down and leave with their tails tucked!


Everyone I know is getting their acts together and making everything legal. The medical mj laws brought in a TON of folks who previously kept themselves from public scrutiny...because they were adamant that their personal behavior should not be a public concern, if it caused no-one harm.


Cheers

[ggores]

Over the years I have had many discussions with entrepreneurs who are "on the other side of the proverbial fence". I applaud them, for they are the ones who have to deal with logistics, building stuff, organizing, and creating a free-flowing environment in which... ya know... there have been very few bad incidents at local gatherings. In most recent memory, when was it? Like five years ago somebody got jumped and beaten half to death at The Dally.

Methinks there is something to be said for the organizers and planners and workers who put in so much time and effort, and go thru so much to ensure safety and security in an otherwise chaotic environment. I mean, come on, ya'll remember The Gold Dollar days, yes?

But again, I am coming from the proverbial "other side of the fence". Detroit, ummm... has great entertainment and I don't mean casinos or river walks. The city should embrace and assist and cooperate. That reminds me, I wonder what the hub-bub is going to be regarding the St. Patty's Day Parade come March. Will we still be prosecuted for, ummm, "throwing candy necklaces". Someone needs to wake up, but it aint gonna be me! :-)

[Meddle]

they were quite generous in this case. Tickets could have been issued and charges could have been pressed. I think this is an example of the city trying to work with a event, not shut it down.

Or they could have issued the permits on the spot, collected the fees and been on their way.

[Gannon]

The conversation just changed.

The city wants to have it all demolished.

http://detnews.com/article/20101025/...heatre-Bizarre


Now I think they've gone too far. They've got spare resources to go around destroying THIS stuff?!


Fuck them.

[gnome]

detnews is reporting that TB has been tagged for demolition.

Guess that whole thing about the City working with people is not really happening.

!keilson, you're making some very reasonable points, however, your comparison to a blind pig is not quite apples to apples. Having a little experience with blind pigs, they are in operation year round. And even a moving blind pig is in one place for a measured period of time. A week, a month a quarter ... the TB is in operation for one 12 hour period. Once a year.

Moreover, the comparison further falls apart when you think about the reason bar owners like yourself are opposed to blind pigs: competition. TB robs you of no customers. In fact, I'd hazard a guess that TB lines your pockets by building on the foundation of goodwill you yourself built.

But, go ahead and point a boney finger at TB, I'm sure you'll be so much more profitable in the future.

Oh, isn't the reason you're in Hamtown is that the CoD was a non-responsive, didactic and capricious?

Just wondering...

[oldredfordette]

This is a damn shame. TOB is an astounding place - take a devastated neighborhood and make something unique with it - ask Tyree Guyton what happens next. Actually, Tyree did the right thing, he started rebuilding the very next day.

[fzappa2000]

Same thing happened with the Fourth Street Fair two years ago. they got involved with the City of Detroit, and the City of Detroit fucked them over...

[BrushStart]

This weekend, Grand Rapids will host its annual "Zombie Walk" downtown. Last year, they had a record turnout of 8,000 participants, and guess what? Grand Rapids accommodated the event because people came into the city and spent their money. The whole thing went off without a hitch, and everyone had a good time. Even GR police, who were busy closing streets and directing traffic, posed for pictures with the masquerading zombie walkers.

Last weekend, Detroit was posed to host another very popular Halloween event of its own: Theater Bizarre. What happened in Detroit? The city shut the event down, kicked the organizers off the property [[which serves no other purpose), threatened criminal charges, and now will tear down the event space so that it can sit and rot until the end of time with the giant fairground that also sits and rots. Misery loves company. Yay! Go Detroit! You're sooo much fun! We love you!

Detroit officials should take a lesson. Instead of alienating, this city should try embracing for once.

[Meddle]

Maybe Royal Oak Township could use the business. It's sort of a creepy ghost town isn't it?


But some of you can continue to defend and support a deeply corrupt city. This is all about not greasing the palms of whoever and embarrassing some unnamed city 'officials' by having the event anyways.

Determination and survival will be punished.

[1KielsonDrive]

I love Theater Bizarre and think they are doing a great thing. However, it isn't that the city was unfair, or that it got to popular. Theater Bizarre launched a massive campaign to get the Governor to approve parking at the state fair grounds. If anything this should be a lesson to all start-up and existing ventures in this city. If you are going to get government involved in your business, be prepared for them to get involved, and if your ducks are not in a row, they are going to find out.

This situation is a good example of not understanding law and government and the consequences of operating with a lack of understanding.

Excllent points.

[1KielsonDrive]

The conversation just changed.

The city wants to have it all demolished.

http://detnews.com/article/20101025/...heatre-Bizarre


Now I think they've gone too far. They've got spare resources to go around destroying THIS stuff?!


Fuck them.

Agreed. I just heard the same thing. Thanks for posting it, Gannon. This shows the City of Detroit in their worst light.

[1KielsonDrive]

detnews is reporting that TB has been tagged for demolition.

Guess that whole thing about the City working with people is not really happening.

!keilson, you're making some very reasonable points, however, your comparison to a blind pig is not quite apples to apples. Having a little experience with blind pigs, they are in operation year round. And even a moving blind pig is in one place for a measured period of time. A week, a month a quarter ... the TB is in operation for one 12 hour period. Once a year.

Moreover, the comparison further falls apart when you think about the reason bar owners like yourself are opposed to blind pigs: competition. TB robs you of no customers. In fact, I'd hazard a guess that TB lines your pockets by building on the foundation of goodwill you yourself built.

But, go ahead and point a boney finger at TB, I'm sure you'll be so much more profitable in the future.

Oh, isn't the reason you're in Hamtown is that the CoD was a non-responsive, didactic and capricious?

Just wondering...

You're bringing up a lot of stuff never even mentioned. "Just wondering...", or....... just attempting to read people's minds? Quite a feat, if you can pull it off. But not this time. The sarcasm doesn't improve your mind reading efforts much, either.

[1KielsonDrive]

[quote=BrushStart;193096]This weekend, Grand Rapids will host its annual "Zombie Walk" downtown. Last year, they had a record turnout of 8,000 participants, and guess what? Grand Rapids accommodated the event because people came into the city and spent their money. The whole thing went off without a hitch, and everyone had a good time. Even GR police, who were busy closing streets and directing traffic, posed for pictures with the masquerading zombie walkers.

Last weekend, Detroit was posed to host another very popular Halloween event of its own: Theater Bizarre. What happened in Detroit? The city shut the event down, kicked the organizers off the property [[which serves no other purpose), threatened criminal charges, and now will tear down the event space so that it can sit and rot until the end of time with the giant fairground that also sits and rots. Misery loves company. Yay! Go Detroit! You're sooo much fun! We love you!

Detroit officials should take a lesson. Instead of alienating, this city should try embracing for once.[/quote]
Unfortunately, Detroit has never learned the lesson. They keep trying to chase the very people out of town that want to do good and cool things in the city. I won't even begin to list them - it's way too long, personal and hurtful.

[Meddle]

Just wondering if there's more to it.

Maybe there's an entity in the city halls that doesn't want the macabre and ghouls and other occult-associated figures celebrated? Sort of like the fight against strip clubs?

Could it be too 'evil' for the moral heavy hands?

[TKshreve]

I attended TB this year making it my second visit. I'll spare everyone the details. You really have to attend TB to even understand it.

I will say this:

First and foremost, the structures at the SF site are prob not up to code or even legal. We all get that. I still trust the craftsmanship of the grounds far better that anything a City Planning Board would tell me is $afe and/or $et to go. And to those who alluded to this event being a concern for personal safety/drugs/crime...... puh-lease. I recall a shooting at a certain Det fireworks event, or as already mentioned, the countless after hours clubs that operate in broad daynight. The founders of TB have yet to record a single fight in their ten years of existence. This also includes drugs or crimes. And don't forget about the rows of taxis that line the road for people to make their way home safely [[Where did they come from......... Chicago?). The DPD presence has always added to the sanity of the otherwise insane festival. They guide traffic and issue some parking tickets for the F of it, but other than that they are around if needed. It's a safe event, but somehow found its way to the top of the pecking order on Pugh's desk or whomever had a bad Martha Reeves song or BRC rendition in their head that morning.

On a personal note, I was able to come across its existence in the first place because, and only because, of the increasing popularity over the years. It's sad to think I missed so many years of TB evolution, and that I am probably part of a mainstream wave that may be responsible for its self destruction. I am also puzzled and ashamed that Detroit would do everything in its powers to quash this event, instead of nurturing it. People come from all over the state and further to attend this one-of-a-kind event. I have been to wild Halloween parties at Kent State University [[it's known for this) and such, but they do not scrape the surface of the mood and atmosphere created by TB. An event of this proportion is something that I can use to identify with my hometown of Detroit. There's not much around for Detroiters to sink their teeth into anymore. Something as creative and alluring as TB is one of those things for me. And yet here we are discussing the death of the event.

A little passionate about the event, am I? Yes you got me. Am I a little bias..... maybe so. But don't worry about me. Worry about the countless intellectual individuals who spend hours on end putting together incredible costumes that would blow your mind. The brain drain did not grab these people. They will unite on this matter. They are ready, willing and able to fight for this cause. Check the TB Facebook profile. Hundreds of comments waiting on orders for how they can help to keep this party alive and growing for years to come.

So here you have an event that flew under the radar for so many years. The creators have been able to put on a show that could not stop the masses. Yearly attendance level increases would make the Red Wings blush. And on the eve of all the excitement, the city drops a shady curtain onto the stage, maybe ending it forever. Hopefully this will push it back underground, where anonymity is king and your creative side of your brain is what guides you through the evening. That is what adds to the mystery and illusion that is Theatre Bizarre. A mascarade for the ages.

In the end, the city leaves a sour taste in the mouthes of thousands of people who will remember for a long time how this all went down. A night before the friggin party. Stay Classy Detroit.

[1KielsonDrive]

Maybe Royal Oak Township could use the business. It's sort of a creepy ghost town isn't it?


But some of you can continue to defend and support a deeply corrupt city. This is all about not greasing the palms of whoever and embarrassing some unnamed city 'officials' by having the event anyways.

Determination and survival will be punished.

I don't think you'll often find me defending Detroit City Hall. Or, for that matter, any of the bureaucracy in Detroit. That is why, despite my love for Detroit, I rid myself of properties and a business I owned in the city. And also why I refused to buy another in Detroit. I must admit at this point, with the turn of events, that you probably more accurately assessed this situation than I did. Regardless, your last quote basically sums up what I've thought about city hall and the DPD, for 30 years.

[1KielsonDrive]

Just wondering if there's more to it.

Maybe there's an entity in the city halls that doesn't want the macabre and ghouls and other occult-associated figures celebrated? Sort of like the fight against strip clubs?

Could it be too 'evil' for the moral heavy hands?

That could very well be. Good analogy - strip clubs. Probably not an entity though, just the entire city hall.

[1KielsonDrive]

detnews is reporting that TB has been tagged for demolition.


Oh, isn't the reason you're in Hamtown is that the CoD was a non-responsive, didactic and capricious?

Just wondering...

Absolutely correct. But your hunch isn't due to ESP or mind reading, it's due to previous conversations we've had. I've never made any bones about my reasons. All of that said, there are legitimate reasons for cities to make and enforce regulations. Fairness is one of the reasons. Protecting citizens and businesses investments is another one.