Community Corner

Let Freedom Sing?

Main Street musician Christopher Reising is amassing signatures in order to play his smooth jazz on village sidewalks again.

 

If you've spent anytime on Main Street, you've heard the smooth jazz of Christopher Reising. He strums and sings from his stoop at 51 Main Street many a temperate evening. Or at least he used to.

Due to Village Code (Chapter 218-1) whereby “No person shall participate in any parade, exhibition or the playing of musical instruments upon the streets of the village unless authorization has first been received by the Board of Trustees,” Reising was shut down in September, 2011.

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He continues to play at local venues including , , , as well as fundraisers and twice-annual mixers for the , but he can't play on village sidewalks. He applied for a Cabaret license a few weeks ago but was refused because he didn't need one, as, said Village Administrator Michael Blau, a cabaret license only applies to music inside a business.

Reising said discussion of the matter has been relegated to a Board of Trustees work session.

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Blau explained: “Before I start to proceed to find out how other communities handle this matter, I need direction from the Board of Trustees that they are interested in my pursuing the matter. Thus, other than giving me direction, there will be no other action by the Board of Trustees regarding this matter."

In the meantime, to bolster his cause, Reising is amassing signatures on his “Petition to allow Live Music in Tarrytown's Business District.” So far he's nearing 400 names from petitions he's placed in local shops on Main Street and Broadway. Now he'd like to extend the plea to Patch readers.

If you want to join the cause and sign the petition you can email Reising or if you are out and about the signature sheets are located at , , , and on Main Street and at and on Broadway.

Signature sheets can also be found at at 21 Main Street where Reising will play for their Chocolate fundraiser benefit, May 10 from 5:30 to 9 pm for the Building Restoration Fund of the Historical Society.

To find more information on Reising, including the fun fact of how he's responsible for karaoke to the U.S., click here: christopherreising.com.

How do you feel about music on Main Street? Tell us in the comments.

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