So You Think You Can Dance

If the City does something that is one thing but if a private entrepreneur does it watch out!

I am trying to figure out how "Dancing with the Stars" was allowed to have music and a dance on the river outside of the Entertainment Lounge area I believe and with more than 250 people while the Junction could not, even if it was a charitable function.

Here is the exchange of emails that I had recently. I did not get anything from Councillor Brister. We little people do not count except at election time it seems:

• From: Ed Arditti
  To: Sibley, Diane; Marra, Bill; Brister, Dave
  CC: mayoro; Dilkens, Drew; Jones, Ron; Postma, Caroline; Halberstadt, Alan; Valentinis, Fulvio; Lewenza, Ken; Gignac, Jo-Anne (Councillor); Hatfield, Percy
  Sent: Sun Aug 19 10:57:07 2007
  Subject: Dancing Under The Stars
  
  I understand that there was a charitable event on the weekend near the river and that you were in the vicinity on Saturday night.
  
  Could you please let me know:
  1) the actual geographic location of the dance eg north of Riverside Dr.
  2) if there was music and dancing
  3) your best estimate of the number of people participating in the event eg 250 or more
  4) under what City by-law or licence or other authority this function was permitted
  5) was the seating capacity of the Bistro expanded and if so by how much.
  
  
• ----- Original Message -----
  From: Sibley, Diane
  To: Ed Arditti ; Marra, Bill ; Brister, Dave
  Cc: mayoro ; Dilkens, Drew ; Jones, Ron ; Postma, Caroline ; Halberstadt, Alan ; Valentinis, Fulvio ; Lewenza, Ken ; Gignac, Jo-Anne (Councillor) ; Hatfield, Percy ; Wilson, Jan
  Sent: Monday, August 20, 2007 11:06 AM
  Subject: RE: Dancing Under The Stars
  
  This is nothing licensing would be involved with...we do not licence charitable fundraising events. By way of this email, I have included Jan Wilson. She or a member of her staff may be able to comment on the issue or provide insight to the matter.
  
  
• ----- Original Message -----
  From: Taylor, Mike
  To: arditti@sympatico.ca
  Cc: Fama, Carl ; Sibley, Diane ; Brister, Dave ; Marra, Bill ; Gignac, Jo-Anne (Councillor) ; Dilkens, Drew ; Postma, Caroline ; Halberstadt, Alan ; Jones, Ron ; Mayor's Office ; Valentinis, Fulvio ; Lewenza, Ken ; Hatfield, Percy
  Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 11:43 AM
  Subject: dancing under the stars
  
  Mr. Arditti,
  
  Your email that you sent to Diane Sibley was referred to me.
  
  1. The event took place at Dieppe Gardens Municipal Parking Lot 5, located where the new Bistro By The River. This location has hosted many events in the past
  
  2. There was amplified music and ball room dancing adn demonstrations
  
  3. There were approximately 500 people present throughout the event times, which were 6 p.m. - 1 a.m. Friday the 24th August and 6 p.m. - 1 a.m. Saturday, August 25. On both evenings, the event shut down earlier because of inclement weather conditions (I believe they wrapped up at 11:30 p.m. on Friday and 11 p.m. on Saturday). In total over the weekend, approximately 2000 people attended the event.
  
  4. This event was approved by the CAO office under a Delegation of Authority CAO 726 August 2, 2007. The event was first held on Erie Street in 2006. It was conducted by In Honour of the Ones We Love organization as a fund raiser for children with cancer. Celebrities danced to ball room dancing music, did demonstrations, and were judged by those in attendance. Many local dignitaries, politicians and celebrities were included in the event as competitors.
  
  5. The Bistro did not increase their seating capacity. The Bistro was the caterer for the event, selling beverage and food items to those in attendance. Other vendors were also on site selling jewellery, tee shirts and novelty items on behalf of the organization. Guests to the event sat in the Bistro, on the Bistro patio, and walked around the site enjoying the entertainment.
  
  Please feel free to call me at my office should you have any further questions or need for clarification.
  
  
• ----- Original Message -----
  From: Ed Arditti
  To: Taylor, Mike
  Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 2:41 PM
  Subject: Re: dancing under the stars
  
  Thanks for your email.
  
  I do not understand how this could go forward since it seems to violate the Entertainment Lounge By-law even if a one-time event.
  
  Could you please explain if I am right or wrong on this and why
  
  
• ----- Original Message -----
  From: Taylor, Mike
  To: OJIBWAY NOW!
  Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 4:09 PM
  Subject: RE: dancing under the stars
  
  
  This particular event falls under special events portfolio, similar to events such as Festival Epicure, Bluesfest, MCC Carousel By The River, and the many other events that are hosted on the streets and within park sites located throughout the City each year. Organizations, individuals and agencies apply to the City to host a variety of events and functions on City property, not private property. There are certainly many things that each group needs to adhere to regarding stipulations, rules and regulations, not only with the City but with other agencies such as the AGCO, Police, etc. depending on what it is they are proposing to do on these City properties for their event.
  
  Responsibilities including rental fees, security, noise stipulations, traffic, etc. are many of the things each group must arrange for, adhere to, and be accountable for, again depending on what it is they are doing.
  
  I think perhaps you might be mistaking things under lounges and entertainment places, which have nothing to do with community events taking place in municipal parks and facilities.
  
  Hope that answers your questions

To be honest, more questions are raised than answered. But I have a solution for George Sofos and the Junction:

1. arrange for Canadian Pacific Railway and DRTP to donate the Gateway Public Park to the City
   
2. the amphitheatre with room for bands and a (wink-wink) big stage area where the public can stand and move around to the sound of the music should be built
   
3. hold a charitable events there every night so that you can provide the catering since your building is next door.
   
4. arrange for your premises to be licensed like the Bistro on the waterfront.

Everything is solved since these are charitable events "on City property, not private property. " So what if the neighbours complain. Yes I know that the neighbours would not have heard the music and dancing enclosed in your building. But what the heck, it is now the City's issue not yours.

I trust that what was said by the City is correct. If there is doubt, then guess which Councillors I would call to be witnesses at the Junction trial for their alleged by-law infraction if I was George's lawyer!