The New Black Centre is available for Jamming, Recording and Live Recorded Performances!
For more information give us a call at 403-452-5779.

Co-founder of youth program questions city’s decision

Article courtesy KRISTA SYLVESTER at Metro News Calgary

On one hand the city is running an after-school program out of a youth music centre — on the other hand, the city revoked a licence for the same venue, according to the founders.

The New Black Art Centre — located in Inglewood on 9th Avenue SE — was operating for a year as a youth punk-rock studio, rehearsal centre and live music venue until last week when a complaint to the city resulted in the revoking of the licence, said co-founder Isaac Creasey.

“This is a place like no other in the city, and we’re doing it to give back to the community and provide a place for the youth to go,” said a disappointed Creasey. “It seems it’s one of those ‘not in my backyard’ type things.”

While they can still rehearse, Creasey said between 70 to 80 per cent of their revenue is live music and they may be forced to shut their doors — an outcome he considers ironic.

“We provide an afterschool program for kids here through the city and we teach kids music history and stuff.”

The City of Calgary’s chief licensing inspector, Kent Palliser, said the venue is licensed as a rehearsal studio but not a live music venue because of a zoning permit issue.

“They are complying but I understand the problem is stuck in the approval process right now,” he said, adding that they can appeal the decision.

Article courtesy of Dave Breakenridge at The Calgary Sun

I will be the first person to admit I am not punk rock.

Nothing about me would categorize me as punk rock, not even the shaved head, which stopped being an anti-social statement years ago.

I have never felt the kind of societal disaffection that is rampant in the subculture and, aside from some staples of the genre, I prefer music with lusher production values.

But I have always appreciated the DIY, question-authority attitude of people who call themselves punk.

So I immediately sympathized with the plight of the guys who run The New Black Centre, a recording studio/rehearsal space and supposed all-ages venue on 9 Ave. S.E. on the western edge of Inglewood.

I say supposed because, despite claims by one of the owners that they have operated everything above board for the last year, the bread and butter of their business was shut down by the city because it didn't meet zoning rules.

Despite being approved for "recorded live performances" on top of running a small label and studio out of the building they rent, a complaint filed with the city after nearly a year of operation shut down what brought in as much as 70% of the business's revenue, co-founder Darren Ollinger told me.

Sure, according to city rules, the building they are in is not zoned for use as an entertainment venue, Ollinger admits, but he is quick to point out his application was approved not once, but twice, the latter as recently as last month.

That's when he was told to cease and desist with the all-ages shows, or get hit with a $1,000 fine for every performance.

It came as little surprise when Ollinger said he was told that both approvals were mistakes.

But, as with dealing with any level of government, their screw-up is your problem. Fat chance getting an exception, and fat chance getting any of your investment back.

Don't believe me? Ask the operators of a local methadone clinic, or an art supply store owner who tried to beautify his shop.

Sure, some may want to be skeptical of someone who identifies himself as punk rock till he dies, but who would dump $60,000 of their own money into a project unless they had the go-ahead from the city?

So what Ollinger says is the only venue in town, and privately funded at that, offering shows for kids who are unable to go to bars, and a place for underage bands to ply their trade, is potentially lost.

The irony in all this is that if The New Black is forced to shut down because it can't afford it, the city actually loses an afterschool program to help keep kids out of trouble.

Yes, the city actually partnered with the centre to offer the Youth Music Experience, a free program that teaches music history, the benefits of music and how to create a band.

To add to the kicked-below-the-belt feeling, the city just last week offered up nearly $2 million to help the Calgary Folk Fest build a live music hall two blocks from where the New Black is operating in an unsuitable venue.

But Ollinger's attempts for help through the bureaucratic quagmire left him waiting for a returned call at 3 p.m. on a Friday.

Good luck with that.

Surely if the city can step forward with $1.8 million to help the folk fest build a brand-spankin' new building, then someone there has to care enough to give young musicians and music fans a fair shake.

Beats a bunch of young punks with nowhere to go.