Jazz club reopens, pays fine of $1,000

[Lois Gilbert]

Jazz club reopens, pays fine of $1,000

BY LISA P. WHITE
News-Democrat

BELLEVILLE - Main Street Jazz & Blues reopened Friday night after owner Neal Connors paid a $1,000 fine to the city -- the maximum for liquor license violations.

But Connors temporarily has canceled the Wednesday night hip-hop performances that generated allegations of underage drinking, drug use and guns at his club at 307 E. Main St.

"I'm very pleased that the club is going to reopen and I'm really looking forward to making some changes down there to make sure our club is a great and safe place," Connors said.

Police raided the club March 1 after bartenders sold beers to two minors who were working with police as part of a sting operation, and officers said they observed two patrons smoking marijuana. Mayor Mark Eckert closed the club for a week pending a hearing on Thursday.

Although Eckert described the violations as "certainly serious enough to strongly consider revocation" of the liquor license, he said Connors' willingness to take responsibility made the difference.

"While the circumstances are very serious, I had to weigh out the fact that it was the first time to this extreme, and he has been willing to work on some things," Eckert said. "He assured me that he is going to take this very seriously."

In addition to paying the fine, Eckert ordered Connors to monitor the newly posted occupancy limits, report all illegal activity to the police, clean up trash around the building and have someone who can act as a manager when Connors can't be at the club.

Eckert said Main Street Jazz & Blues won't be subject to increased monitoring unless police receive tips about ongoing problems.

Connors said he is going to work with his staff to develop better security procedures.

Until then, the hip-hop night is off.

"I talked to the mayor about that and they had concerns about the scene and the (police) chief had concerns about the potential for things to go wrong on a night when we have that type of event," Connors said. "At this point, I'm not going to plan any events that are definitely going to bring in large crowds."

http://www.belleville.com/mld/bellev...l/14074070.htm

[Dennis Gonzalez]

Belleville, Illinois?

[bluenoter]

Originally Posted by Dennis Gonzalez

Belleville, Illinois?

It took a lot of looking around, but yes.

[chuckyd4]

Originally Posted by Lois Gilbert

Until then, the hip-hop night is off.

"I talked to the mayor about that and they had concerns about the scene and the (police) chief had concerns about the potential for things to go wrong on a night when we have that type of event," Connors said.

Bollocks... it's up to this guy to control what his patrons are doing, not to control what type of music is playing when they're doing it. There's a time when the same thing would have been said about jazz and its "scene." It's a shame - reinforcing stereotypes - and precisely the kind of thing that keeps young kids away from jazz. People are smoking pot in your club? Kick them out, don't kick out the performers that draw them in.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

A wonderful family restaurant was closed down by the city a year ago here in Dallas because their son opened it up after hours to his punk rockin' underage drinkin' friends for punk shows. He didn't do a very good job of screening (or blocking) the drinkers and their 6-packs. The whole family's livelihood is gone.

Thanks Blue...I wanted to be sure which Belleville it was. Just for my own info.

[Lazaro Vega]

I think "that type of event" they're talking about is hip hop, not jazz.

[chuckyd4]

Originally Posted by Lazaro Vega

I think "that type of event" they're talking about is hip hop, not jazz.

Ummm... that was what I was thinking too, when I made my post.

[Dennis Gonzalez]

And the music related to the Dallas restaurant closing was punk!

[John P. Cooper]

"Jazz club reopens, pays fine....."

Sounds like a place were they offer decent compensation to the musicians who play there.