House concert site has upheld highest standards of local citizenship

To the Editor:

I am a senior at Ohio University. As a performer in Athens for the past four years, I've been involved in many different environments when it comes to the local music scene. I've performed in coffee shops, bars and living rooms with either my band or just solo. This has led me to meet great performers and some of my best friends. These experiences sum up the most beneficial memories and opportunities that I have had at OU. Without them, I wouldn't have the chance to understand the local music scene and growing DIY community.

I believe 35 Brown has achieved something that is imperative to the local arts and music scene. The house has provided something I never thought I'd see while being a showgoer - a positive, alcohol-free environment that encourages the artistic expression of musicians and creative thinkers alike. This, along with the policy of holding all-ages shows at a free cost, is something I'd hate to see leave Athens.

The numbers of people who usually attend these house show venues pale in comparison to the floods of people I've seen many weekends at parties, fests and frat houses. This is so frustrating especially when I've seen all of the residents of 35 Brown serve a purpose in making sure things run safely and smoothly with EVERY house show they hold. People are explicitly told not to disrupt the neighbors, destroy the house, nor be hurtful in any way to the community that surrounds them.

On top of this, I've never seen capacity reach an unsafe limit at 35 Brown - unlike certain fests at OU. I can also say that the Action Committee, 35 Brown, and other house venues are the reason why many different types of music have come to Athens, more so than I've ever seen since I started attending college.

With this, I encourage city officials to consider this plea to not shut down the shows at 35 Brown. I've seen many people of all ages attend these shows and everyone is treated respectfully - try finding that at a bar venue or college party.

Mike Petruccelli
Mound Street
Athens