Boats Against the Current   Richmond doesn't need expensive, government- funded programs to stimulate its music scene, nightlife and creative class -- it just needs to loosen up.
	Last year, Dr. Richard Florida of Carnegie Mellon University was invited to speak at the city's economic conference to make his now-famous arguments for why young people, artists and creative professionals are integral components of city revitalization. Florida spoke of how cultivating street-level arts and culture should be a major concern for communities that want to leave the 20th (or even the 19th) century behind. Florida's book, "The Rise of the Creative Class," stands strongly against the kind of cliquish, closed-door governance that Richmond's status quo has championed for decades -- and perpetuates still with an over-reliance on unaccountable public-private partnerships and elitist civic entities like the latest Wilder-Bliley Commission, which will reportedly guide the hand of the next mayor. Little surprise, then, that nothing changed following Dr. Florida's appearance last year, sending a strong signal to every writer, guitarist, web designer, sculptor, gallery administrator, engineer and arts student in the city that the services, talents and entrepreneurship of those in the "creative class" are not -- and never will be -- welcomed or wanted in the former Capital of the Confederacy. Save Richmond (at www.saverichmond.com) has issued a manifesto entitled "Boats Against the Current," which proposes tangible things the city's business and political leaders could be doing right now to help to cultivate that all-important "street" culture (restaurants, nightclubs, coffeehouses) that we now know spurs downtown activity. Music is the centerpiece of this culture and Richmond's music scene is currently on life support. Taxpayers who are sick of quick-fix money drains and half-baked downtown development should note that the provisions proposed in Save Richmond's "Boats" paper are inexpensive; most of them add up to a small fraction of what it would cost to get someone in Calvin Jamison's office to cut your grass. So let's recap: Richmond, like many cities, has all but admitted that it needs to attract young people, new ideas and creative professionals in order to survive in the 21st century. It also knows from numerous studies, like Dr. Florida's, what can be done to keep young creatives and their needed energy and entrepeneurship in the city -- diversity, options, tolerance, organic culture, music. To underscore this obvious need, the chamber of commerce and the Greater Richmond Partnership invited another "Generation X" proponent to speak at the city's 2004 Economic Conference. The Jan. 30 speech by Rebecca Ryan on "Hot Jobs, Cool Communities" concerned -- again -- the importance of attracting young creative people to Richmond and keeping them here. But those of us who remember Dr. Florida's appearance last year, and have been following the Wilder-Bliley II commission's hand-picked deliberations, have to shake our heads. Expensive speeches, closed-door committees and empty platitudes won't do anymore: It's time to put up or shut up. Boats Against the Current How to Save the Richmond Music Scene in Just Over 1,000 Words   PART ONE: FIX WHAT'S BROKEN   EASY AS ABC   An adversarial climate exists between the city of Richmond's music scene and the state ABC Board. While the city can't control a state agency, Richmond's City Council must communicate to the General Assembly, the governor, and the ABC that our state capital considers a thriving local music scene to be a vital element of its economic revival. It can form a joint committee with club owners, local musicians, city officials, and the ABC. Such a committee will work to clear the air by easing what's often viewed as capricious enforcement on the part of the ABC and encouraging responsible business practices on the part of the purveyors of nightlife.   WE LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE   The city has to loosen its grip on nightlife. For too long, Richmond has taken a one-size-fits-all approach to its entertainment businesses, requiring all club owners, regardless of their safety records, to hire off-duty police as security guards at exorbitant cost. Parking restrictions make nightlife difficult to consume, and the police department has been known to dictate which specific musical genres clubs can present. Artists, club owners, and police need to come together, listen to one another, and craft a compromise solution so anyone can go out, spend money in Richmond, and enjoy any type of music safely.   INVEST IN OUR IMAGE   Art grows from its edges, not its center. Like it or not, Richmond is still seen as a cultural backwater. No one wants to invest in a medieval atmosphere where conservative business and political leaders actively campaign against music and art that offends their personal sensibilities. The city must repeal its parochial obscenity laws and let its citizens see and hear whatever they like, leaving parenting to parents.   PART TWO: SELL THE SIZZLE -- THE STEAK WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF   OUR FEST IS BEST   Many of Richmond's musicians are among the most accomplished in the world. But for reasons too depressing to list here, the local music scene is horribly splintered. As a result, Richmond's musical tapestry goes unremarked. We propose to present a yearly, multi-day festival that shows the depth of Richmond's native talent in inventive settings throughout the city. Richmond must show off the Richmond Symphony and Strike Anywhere, 804 Noise and Carbon Leaf, Lonnie Liston Smith and SupaFriendz. As First Fridays has shown, downtown events can serve as a linchpin of community and as incomparable social affairs. Let's have one that lets us strut our stuff in front of the world.   THE CITY THAT RECORDS TOGETHER...   In the same vein, we propose to produce a compact disc compilation that shows that Richmond is a world-class center of audio recording as well as a city with cross-pollinating musical resources. We see the Symphony backing Denali, or perhaps D'Angelo recording with the Richmond Boys Choir. And it will all be recorded here, at studios built by world-class musicians who've chosen to make Richmond their homes. The CD could be sold nationwide with the profits to benefit worthy downtown projects. Those projects could include the proposed performing arts center if it, too, would reach out to the full spectrum of Richmond music.   LET US BE YOUR GUIDE   We propose to publish an annual entertainment guide. It will vividly and honestly illustrate the wealth of musical talent in Richmond, both street-level/ for-profit and non-profit. The guide will be distributed to city residents and made available to any agencies that wish to use it as a marketing tool for the city itself.   PART THREE: NURTURE THE ROOTS   TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL   Richmond can teach its schoolchildren that they're inheriting a precious musical legacy. Theatre troupes, orchestras, and dance groups regularly reach out to the musicians and musical patrons of the future; "street-level" performers in genres such as country and bluegrass, rock and punk, reggae and electronic music must do the same. We will work with educators to develop programs that travel to area schools and engage students so they understand the connection between our state's musical past and the history being made right now.   WE WANT THE AIRWAVES   The city's media do not represent the diverse views of its citizens. Richmond must encourage the development of independent media, such as the planned Richmond Indie Radio low power station. Alt-weeklies and independent radio are rallying points for artistic communities and are especially important in a city where regressive voices are as prominent as they are here. The city should explore a tax credit for businesses that advertise in small media outlets.   DON'T TRUST ANYONE OVER 40 TO SAVE DOWNTOWN   Demographics are conspiring against Richmond. As Baby Boomers gray, high-earning young people are increasingly migrating to cities that offer good music and arts scenes, like nearby Charlottesville and Asheville, North Carolina. What is Richmond doing to quell this youth drain? Why, making it easier for youngsters to see the symphony, the opera and the ballet.   A performing arts center is a great idea in principle. However, the one slated for our downtown (situated near large universities and colleges) is being planned and executed by decidedly older individuals, some of whom have actively campaigned to keep controversial entertainment out of Richmond. We have been assured repeatedly by its organizers that the center will be open to any type of music, and we believe them. But for this project to work, young people must be actively courted both as audience and collaborators. People under 40 (preferably much younger) must be involved in the design, planning, and day-to-day operations of the arts center, or it will quickly become just another symbol of a city that never "got it."   SAY IT LOUD: I'M FROM RICHMOND AND I'M PROUD   Around the world, fans tattoo themselves with the names of Richmond rock and punk bands, and our country, jazz and soul musicians are often better known nationally than they are in their own hometown. These artists could be beating the drums for their Richmond. The city should view its local talent as potential ambassadors. If Richmond provided low-cost rehearsal space, maybe even some tour support, we'd show some of our best-known citizens that we're serious about supporting all types of music.   WALK THIS WAY   Finally, let's incorporate Richmond's musical history into everyday life. We propose a Walk of Fame on sidewalks surrounding the performing arts center OR a hall of fame with exhibits inside the performing arts center that will pay tribute to Virginia's musical luminaries, from Patsy Cline and Ralph Stanley to the Neptunes and Missy Elliott, from Dave Matthews and Jason Mraz to the Golden Gate Quartet to Bruce Hornsby.   -- February 2, 2004