Two weeks ago we received word from a few local shops that they would no longer be able to sell tickets
for upcoming shows. The City of Winnipeg has been putting pressure on these small independent businesses to remit the
city's famous Entertainment Tax on behalf of promoters, venues and bands. As a result, most of these sellers have opted
to discontinue selling tickets altogether for places like the West End Cultural Centre, The Zoo/Ozzie's, The Pyramid,
Times Change(d) and the rooms I work for, The Albert and The Collective.
This news came after a recent audit the City performed on all of the live music venues in Winnipeg for the 2004
season of events. Many of your bands (or friends' bands) were named in this audit for any event over the amount of
$4.99. We are not asking for remittance for any events that you (or some of your peers) took part in - for the most part
we'll be filing (and paying for, with a few exceptions) your events from last year, but for the forseeable future we are
going to have to collect this sum from you for future endeavors that cost a penny over $5.00.
So...the favor I'm asking *all* of you is that if you have received this that you locate the name and phone number of
your city council member and give them a ring. Do it first thing in the morning, or whenever you roll out of bed.
You can find your city councillor by following this link.
It is of great importance that everyone's voice is heard NOW, so that one of our councillors can bring forward a
motion to have this tax (hopefully) scrapped. At the very least, the tax needs to be examined to reflect the interests
of Winnipeg's music scene: the bands that play, the promoters who bring bands from abroad to play and most importantly:
THE PEOPLE WHO BUY THE TICKETS. If you enjoy being the only people in Canada paying an extra 10% on every single ticket
you buy, feel free to ignore my request. If your councillor does not know the unpopular nature of this amongst his/her
constituents it is unlikely they will entertain a motion to have this tax examined.
Please make the call Friday or on Monday. Also, forward this message to your friends in Winnipeg and let's get our
elected officials informed that this unpopular tax hurts Winnipeg's music community on every level.
Thanks for your time. Thanks for your continued support of live music in Winnipeg. Now make that phone call!
Yours,
Sam Smith
Talent Buyer/Promotions
The Royal Albert Arms
The Collective Cabaret
(204)794-8710
fenwich@gmail.com
