part 2
Is this good business? Absolutely. It is, in fact, the perfect paradigm for private and public partnerships; we enhance the quality of life for the people in whose community we run our profit-making business. But even if Councilor Keane were correct, which he categorically is not, and we were making a profit from presenting these concerts, the question should be: is there a measurable benefit to the people who go to them and enjoy them? Obviously, the people at the MDC believe this, for it was they who asked and urged that these concerts be organized; it is their mandate to utilize their properties for the benefit of all of the citizenry, and not just for a chosen few.
While Keane admits that many of the possible new-music groups to be scheduled, such as the Cranberries, would be mellow enough (and indeed probably draw a smaller crowd than Little Richard would), he was satisfied that, with the elimination of the Phoenix/WFNX-sponsored new-music concerts, there would simply be fewer concerts -- and at least the oldies concerts would attract the family crowd. And therein lies his most obvious error, because in fact the six oldies concerts, based on historical precedent of attracting an average of 15,000 people per concert, will bring 90,000 people or more to the Esplanade, while the historical average attendance of our new-music events (Green Day excepted) has been 5000 to 7000 per concert. Thus, Keane and Demakis traded about 60,000 people over nine events for 90,000 or more at six events. And he says he's concerned with the number of people?
The truth is, Keane expressed opposition to all large-scale events on the Hatch Shell, including, he suggested, the many gatherings of those beginning and/or ending their marches for hunger, or AIDS, or Gay Pride, or cystic fibrosis -- but not the Fourth of July -- because these events bring down the city's quality of life.
According to a "City Council Report" in a Beacon Hill paper dated April 12, 1996, this is the way Councilor Keane views the Esplanade:
[T]he Hatch Shell has served as a venue for Friday night movies, classical and semi-classical music concerts and the annual July Fourth celebration. With the exception of the Fourth of July, the crowds drawn to these events have been small and well-contained. . . .This year, the MDC has added two new concert series to be held at the Hatch Shell. One, sponsored by radio station WODS. It will feature acts like Little Richard and the Four Seasons. The second, sponsored by station WFNX, will feature new music concerts by cutting edge rock `n' roll bands.
The new concerts will be noisy. Both feature acts that, unlike classical music, are best heard loud. And these series change the character of the Esplanade, from a place of repose to a place of activity, from a place to which one retreats to a place from which one retreats.
I think both of these series are inappropriate.
Aside from the factual errors -- the WFNX series was not newly added this year (since 1992 alone we have presented more than 60 live-music concerts at the Hatch, of which 24 were new-music groups and, with the exception of the Green Day event in the fall of 1994, all were without incident) -- Councilman Keane appears sincere, if misdirected. His is a quixotic notion that somehow this wonderful public space, owned by a host of Bay State citizens and located in the heart of one of America's few thriving downtown areas, should be restricted as a place for "repose" alone; that somehow four hours of music -- yes, even some louder music -- on approximately 20 days over four months eliminates the opportunity for those who seek repose during all the remaining hours and days when the music isn't playing.
But the expressions of exclusion that both Councilor Keane and Representative Demakis put forth in their and the neighborhood associations' vision of the Back Bay and Beacon Hill is more dangerous than quixotic. By desiring and working toward eliminating "large-scale events," including even non-musical ones such as, say, the Head of the Charles Regatta, and by carefully selecting those that they reluctantly allow, based on content, they are clearly embarking on a policy that raises the issues of free speech and discrimination.
It is not only the number of people that they want to control. Based on the nature of the music allowed (classical and semi-classical are okay), they also want to control the kind of people who attend the events. In our meeting, Representative Demakis complained about the large number of liquor licenses in the Back Bay, about how life in the city has already deteriorated terribly, and how a line has to be drawn somewhere.
There is no question that disrespect for and destruction of people's property is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. That's what police are for, and Representative Demakis mentions in his Beacon Hill Paper column that the MDC has pledged greater security -- not only at the events, but in the neighborhoods, too. The reality, of course, is that the vast majority of those going to any event do act appropriately and appreciatively. Unfortunately, as is often the case (even as we see here), a few people can affect the enjoyment of many. No one, and certainly not the people of the Phoenix and WFNX, endorses inappropriate behavior before, during, or after attending an event -- not only at the Esplanade, but anywhere.
The fact remains, however, that the Esplanade and the Hatch Shell are public lands in the heart of our city, and the style of music presented should be inviting and welcoming to all. But to choose to program music specifically as a deterrent to certain ages, genders, or races is simply unacceptable and probably illegal.
At this point, this all sits in Governor Weld's lap. For it is indeed our governor who calls the shots at the MDC. He should stop resisting our efforts to involve him in working out a reasonable compromise. We do know that up until now all of this has been explicitly supported by Governor Weld -- the candidate for the US Senate who claims roots in both libertarianism and rock and roll, but who, as each day passes, seems to be less a man of principle than just one more politician whose positions are a-blowin' in the wind. Governor, would Peter, Paul and Mary be okay at the Hatch? Or Peter Wolf, whose official state day you declared this week? And what if your beloved Grateful Dead were still able to perform? Would you ban them?