Arts DEVO

If our Lord wasn’t testing us, how would you account for the proliferation, these days, of this obscene rock and roll music, with its gospel of easy sexuality and relaxed morality?—Rev. Shaw Moore, Footloose.

Kick off the sunday shoes Ugh. Arts DEVO understands that there are problems associated with drinking in Chico, and I appreciate all the well-intentioned people who want to make changes that hopefully will prevent further alcohol-related deaths. But prohibiting live music in restaurants that serve alcohol? What’s the police chief been drinking?

Chief Kirk Trostle’s recently released proposal for new “Standard Operating Conditions” for businesses that serve alcohol, includes a condition intended specifically for restaurants that states (for any new restaurants serving alcohol) “there shall be no live entertainment of any type, including but not limited to live music, disc jockey, karaoke, topless entertainment, male or female performers or fashion shows.” This would mean any future Café Coda, Grana, or Turandot wouldn’t be allowed to provide rock bands, jazz duos or piano players as accompaniment to your pale ale, cabernet or sake. Is there anyone other than book-burning preachers who actually believes this will have any result other than destroying art and business? I hope the Internal Affairs Committee considering the chief’s plan has enough sense to not waste any brain cells or Chico’s time on even discussing such a repressive proposal.

I thought this was a party. Let’s dance! Speaking of alcohol, who’s ready for a cold craft beer?! All responsible adults 21 and older, mark your calendars for the week (plus three days) of Aug. 8-17 in big bold letters with: Chico Beer Week. The Chico News & Review is going to be sponsoring 10 days of local craft-beer appreciation with a calendar full of craft-beer-related events—from tastings and tap takeovers, to local beer-release parties and craft-brew specials. Check the CN&R’s special Beer Issue coming Aug. 8 for all the details.

And while you’re marking your calendar, save some ink for some more summer fun coming in the month of August:

• Aug. 3, 8 p.m.: Mettle, a documentary by Butte County native Andy Arrow about the consequences for those who break the New York City law against collecting recyclable materials off of the street, premieres at Oroville’s State Theatre.

• Aug. 7-Sept. 7: Chico Icons: Neighborhood at Avenue 9 Gallery. Reception: Aug. 16, 5-8 p.m.

• Aug. 10-11: Shortz! Film Fest: Third edition of the locally produced short-film fest, at the El Rey Theatre. Visit www.shortzfilmfest.com for info on tickets and schedule.

• Aug. 17, noon-6 p.m.: Chikoko’s Yart Sale, an art, craft and fashion blowout with entertainment and refreshments, outside behind The Bookstore.

• Aug. 18, 7 p.m.: Everyone In Outer Space Wants To Go To Japan, a themed burlesque show presented by Chico artist Eva Blanshei and featuring live music by Bogg at the Chico Women’s Club.

• Aug. 31-Sept. 1: The Butcher Shop: The annual gathering of Chico’s theater avant-garde (past and present) for a festival of original short plays, live music, a tableau, bocce-ball tournament and more in an orchard at the end of Estes Road.