SomArts response to Webzine 99
The Staff of SomArts regrets having to prematurely shut down the Webzine99 event on July 24. We have
never shut down an event in this fashion before, and we hope that it never happens again. We have met
with the organizers of the event and have been monitoring email from various sources regarding the
event. We hope that the following statement will help to acknowledge our responsibility and inform those
concerned about the reasons for the shutdown.
SomArts has been operating for the past few years without holding entertainment and dance hall permits.
Having made significant upgrades to its facility, SomArts is and has been in the process of applying for
such permits for the past few years. The San Francisco Fire Department recently granted us a Public
Occupancy Permit for a capacity of 299 people. One of the major hurdles still facing SomArts is the City
of San Francisco’s sound abatement ordinance. In spite of there never having been a single
complaint, the porous nature of our tin building makes complying with existing laws virtually impossible.
We have been petitioning the Board of Supervisors to enact legislation that would grant us a variance on
the existing sound laws, thus clearing the way for us to receive Entertainment and Dance Hall permits.
During this period, our relations with the police department have, in general, been mutually respectful.
Occasionally incidents occur that remind the police that we are not in strict compliance with the law, and
they are obliged to do their duty in enforcing said laws. After such an incident the week before
Webzine99, SomArts Director Jack Davis was reminded by Captain Martel of Southern Station, that
should the police come by SomArts and find there to be any unpermitted activities, ie. dancing, amplified
music (live bands or DJs), alcohol being served without a permit, the use of fire without the appropriate
Fire Department permits, or more that 300 persons in the building at one time, that the police would close
down whatever event that was taking place and take the SomArts staff person(s) on duty at the time to
County Jail. SomArts communicated these guidelines to Webzine99. They were clear to both SomArts
and Webzine99 staffs before the start of the event.
As a result, on Saturday, there was some tension primarily around the set-up, levels and operation of the
amplified sound systems to be used to reinforce web sites. As a participant on the final panel discussion,
Webzine99 organizers had encouraged SRL founder Mark Pauline to bring a device to the event. SomArts
staff member Michael Dingle had spoken with a Webzine99 organizer several weeks prior to the event
about the possibility of SRL bringing a device that was internet-controlled. Such a device, if properly
planned and safely executed, would be appropriate to the theme of the Webzine conference. After this
informal conversation, there was no reference to any performance or demonstration by SRL at either of
the event planning production meetings between Webzine99 and SomArts staff on the Wednesday and
Friday evening preceding the event. So on Saturday, Mark’s device, never having been discussed,
came as news to SomArts staff. When Mark arrived with a flame producing device, our staff member
simply decided that the risks of drawing police response were far too great. Webzine99 organizers were
told by SomArts staff that if Mark ran the "pulse jet" the event would be shut down. Webzine99 assured
SomArts that they would not allow the demonstration to happen. Mark started up the device in the
parking lot next to SomArts. Deniability of the connection between SomArts and the flame producing
device was impossible in that the audience was gathered in our driveway/patio area, and the extension
cord providing power to Mark’s device was coming from our building. As a result, our staff
person decided to shut down the event, and we support her decision.
We are sorry for the inconvenience to those who did not get to perform, and apologize if our
staff’s concerns came across as a negative element for anyone’s visit to our facility. We all
do our best to respect, welcome and assist those who use our space for events. Unfortunately this time we
had no choice but to close the event. To turn our heads the other way would have endangered all future
programs while our permits are pending, and put our staff at risk of arrest. We wish this hadn’t
happened. We have nothing but respect and admiration for Mark Pauline as a person and as an artist. In
the past, SomArts’ Tech Services has provided considerable production support for many of
SRL’s local performances, and we hope to have the opportunity to work with Mark and Webzine
in the future.
On Thursday, July 29 SomArts staff met with Webzine 99 organizers, to air complaints, clarify the
misunderstandings, make appropriate apologies and, in the spirit of future community harmony, put this
incident behind us. We appreciate all the hard work that went into staging Webzine99 and have extended
an invitation to Webzine99 to use the space for next year’s conference.
Sincerely,
SomArts Staff for Webzine 99: Jack Davis, Michael Dingle, Kathy Roulston, Philip Sanchez, Lisa Siewert,
Sarah Davis, Hernan Cortez, Carlos Loarca