{"id":96789,"date":"2019-07-11T13:00:49","date_gmt":"2019-07-11T17:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dcmusicreview.com\/staging\/?p=96789"},"modified":"2019-07-11T14:51:34","modified_gmt":"2019-07-11T18:51:34","slug":"creating-safe-spaces-at-dc-music-venues-whats-being-done","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dcmusicreview.com\/staging\/creating-safe-spaces-at-dc-music-venues-whats-being-done\/","title":{"rendered":"Creating Safe Spaces at DC Music Venues \u2013 What\u2019s Being Done"},"content":{"rendered":"

This Sunday evening, an important event<\/a> is taking place in our city.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Through a brilliant partnership with Mayor Muriel Bowser<\/strong>‘s Office of Nightlife & Culture<\/a>, the DC-based nonprofit record label This Could Go Boom!<\/span><\/a><\/strong> and one of DC’s most beloved music venues Dangerously Delicious Pies DC<\/a> <\/strong>are hosting the “Safer Scenes Workshop for Musical Venues<\/strong><\/a>” to provide training to nightclub staff, <\/span>bar managers, and music professionals.<\/p>\n

The goal of the workshop is to proactively address harassment<\/strong> and develop comprehensive policies sensitive to the specific needs of those who experience gender-based violence. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n

How did the Safer Scenes Workshop for Musical Venues<\/a> come about?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last September, a heckler popped up at a showcase being hosted by This Could Go Boom! <\/strong><\/a>(TCGB)<\/strong>, <\/strong>whose mission is to “curate, create, publish, promote and distribute the music works of under-represented, gender diverse artists.” Although the situation was resolved without fanfare thanks to the action of alert music fans, according to TCGB co-founder Ara Casey<\/strong>, “in this age of mindfulness and activism something took root.”<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a blip really, but I couldn\u2019t stop thinking about it. What if the patron was angry. What if it escalated?\u201d thought Casey<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

As a nonprofit label tasked with amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups, the TCGB<\/strong> organizers were left wondering if they were prepared to protect its artists and patrons. Was the venue ready to de-escalate a potentially volatile situation? These events can have a lasting negative impact on individuals but they can also leave a mark on bystanders and businesses.<\/p>\n

\"This<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s when TCGB <\/strong>reached out to Shawna Potter<\/strong><\/a><\/strong>, who literally wrote the book on the topic. <\/p>\n

\"Shawna<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHarassment happens,so it\u2019s best to be prepared when it doesand let patrons know you careabout everyone in your space.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u200b<\/span>Shawna Potter<\/span><\/strong><\/a> <\/span><\/strong> \/\/ Author<\/em><\/p>\n

Potter<\/strong> <\/strong>is the author of Making Spaces Safer: A Guide To Giving Harassment The Boot Wherever You Work Play Or Gather<\/em><\/a>, as well as founder of Hollaback Baltimore<\/a><\/strong>, an organization created to end street harassment powered by a network of local activists around the world, and frontperson of punk band War On Women<\/strong><\/a>.  As a leading voice in the conversation about Safer Spaces, TCGB<\/strong> was thrilled when she said she could lead the workshop.<\/p>\n

\u201cHarassment happens,\u201d says Potter<\/strong>, \u201cso it\u2019s best to be prepared when it does and let patrons know you care about everyone in your space.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Why Venues Need to Buy In<\/strong><\/p>\n

TCGB<\/strong> found a perfect partner in Dangerously Delicious Pies DC<\/strong> (aka Pie Shop)<\/strong>, co-owned by Sandra Basanti<\/strong><\/a>, who agreed to host the workshop<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Photo Courtesy Dangerously Delicious Pies<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Photo Courtesy Dangerously Delicious Pies<\/p>\n

“Sandra<\/strong> is amazing and was 100% in from the jump,” said Casey<\/strong>. “Sandra had just met with the Mayor\u2019s Office of Nightlife & Culture and said they\u2019d be interested, so we partnered with them to expand the invitation list to all of hospitality in the district because everyone benefits from safer spaces.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

According to Basanti<\/strong>, “from a business standpoint \u2014 <\/strong>and from the standpoint of someone lucky enough to be involved in this incredible and resilient community \u2014<\/strong> and as a woman,<\/strong> venue operator, contributor, artist, or supporter \u2014<\/strong> we are all in this together for one common goal.”<\/p>\n

With the Pie Shop<\/strong> on board, everything fell into place and the team identified venues in the DMV area to invite to the workshop to be part of the conversation and solution.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe all want to nurture, support and celebrate the diverse culture and community surrounding DC’s art and music scene. To truly do that successfully, mutual respect, general safety, and inclusion must be the defended foundation on which this community continues to thrive. It takes a village.”<\/p>\n

<\/h1>\n

<\/h1>\n

 \u2014 <\/strong>Sandra Basanti<\/h1>\n

co-owner, Dangerously Delicious Pies<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe all want to nurture, support and celebrate the diverse culture and community surrounding DC’s art and music scene. To truly do that successfully, mutual respect, general safety, and inclusion must be the defended foundation on which this community continues to thrive. It takes a village.”<\/p>\n

<\/h1>\n

<\/h1>\n

 \u2014 <\/strong>Sandra Basanti<\/h1>\n

co-owner, Dangerously Delicious Pies<\/p>\n

\u200b<\/strong><\/p>\n

What is on the agenda for the workshop?<\/strong>The workshop<\/a> will cover harassment intervention, how to avoid victim-blaming, responding in the moment, grounding someone in crisis and implementing measures to ensure that patrons, talent and staff feel safe, welcome and relaxed in live music spaces. Although the focus is gender-based harassment, the skills taught apply to ALL identity-based harassment<\/strong>. Participants will receive a packet of tools and resources to help them keep their spaces safer.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Cinema Hearts<\/strong> (left) & Margot MacDonald <\/strong>(right) play Dangerously Delicious Pies DC on 7\/14\/19 following the workshop<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/p>\n

Cinema Hearts (left) & Margot MacDonald (right) play Dangerously Delicious Pies DC on 7\/14\/19 following the workshop<\/p>\n

After the workshop, a show!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Following the workshop<\/a> will be live performances<\/a> open to everyone featuring Cinema Hearts<\/strong><\/a>, Northern Virginia Magazine\u2019s Best Local Band (2017), and Margot MacDonald<\/strong>,<\/a> three-time winner of the Washington Area Music Association\u2019s \u201cArtist of the Year\u201d award.  <\/p>\n

The organizers of the workshop felt that there was no better way to end this important conversation than inviting artists and patrons to gather in a space that was mindfully created and designated as SAFE<\/strong> for all.<\/p>\n

For more information about the workshop or show, see below. <\/p>\n

Performance Details<\/strong><\/p>\n

Performance Details<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Performance<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Details<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Sunday, July 14, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Workshop: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM<\/strong><\/p>\n

Concert<\/a>: 7:30p <\/strong>ft. <\/strong>Cinema Hearts<\/a> and Margot MacDonald<\/a> open to the public!<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

Dangerously Delicious Pies DC<\/strong><\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.dangerouspiesdc.com\/<\/a> <\/p>\n

1339 H Street NEWashington, DC 20002<\/p>\n

(Google Maps Link<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\u200b<\/strong>FREE – But Please Register In Advance<\/strong><\/p>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Additional Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Additional<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Resources<\/strong><\/h3>\n

<\/u><\/strong><\/u>For additional information <\/u><\/u>about the workshop and its partners, click the links below:<\/p>\n