On Friday July 12th at approximately 8:30pm, The City of Philadelphia sent four officers from the Department of Licenses and Inspection along with Philadelphia Police Department to "cease operations" at the First Unitarian Church, located at 2125 Chestnut Street. The publicly open and welcoming church, established in 1796, has been in existence for over 200 years. However, the city contends that the space was not legally allowed to hold entertainment events for the general public. Essentially, the city has decided that it is illegal for anyone to host, play or to attend an all ages show at the First Unitarian Church.

The First Unitarian Church has graciously allowed us to host all ages shows in their basement for over eight years now. In those past eight years, there has never been any police activity or misconduct, inside or out. There was never a single citation, misdemeanor, fine or warning issued to us. Instead, thousands of people came from all over the Philadelphia area, and surrounding suburbs, to take part in positive entertainment. The church, and subsequently these shows, stood as an alternative to bars, clubs or various other alcohol related options. Local business have continued to grow and prosper as those who were attending these events were buying food, drink and other refreshments from the surrounding shops. One such business even changed it's "focus" to provide food specifically for the people attending the church shows. Only logically, one would think the City of Philadelphia would welcome the idea of providing alcohol free, culturally diverse music and art programming. Programming which is completely self sufficient and existed independent of any city or state funding. On the contrary, the city has deemed these shows to be a nuisance and have continued to prohibit these events from happening. The First Unitarian Church is just one of many rooms in Philadelphia, which have been shut down in the past ten years by the city because of hosting these all ages shows.

In the state of Pennsylvania and the city of Philadelphia, the liquor laws state it is illegal for anyone under the age of twenty-one to be in an establishment serving alcohol. Unfortunately, because of this law, club and venue owners in the city are uninterested in hosting all ages shows, as they are unable to make a large profit on the crowds. The end result is an absence of smaller to medium sized venues that will host a steady calendar of events for people under (and over) the age of 21 to attend. As the nations' fifth largest city, this leaves those who are under the age of 21 in Philadelphia with little or nothing to do within the city. These shows, as many who are receiving the e-mail can attest to, were positive and safe. With no elements of drinking, drug abuse, fighting etc. The shows created a positive and supportive community for those who wanted to something a little bit different than "everyone else".

Given the current financial climate, especially in center city, it is almost impossible to open a smaller to medium sized "legal" all ages club. Commercial real estate prices for buildings that can legally hold three hundred people generally range between eight to twelve thousand dollars a month. We only charge five to eight dollars for each show, that five to eight dollars pays for the four bands (80% of which are from out of state), the evening rental fee, the rental of a sound system, the hiring of adequate staff and security, the cost of flyers and promotions as well as the various other costs associated with booking a show. With this small amount of money being taken in and an even smaller amount of money that is left over after paying all the expenses, it becomes literally impossible to be able to pay thousands of dollars a month in rental fees. This is why for years, all ages shows have taken place in various "alternative" locations and buildings such as The First Unitarian Church, Rotunda, Killtime, Stalag 13 etc.

As I am writing this, there are currently ZERO options left remaining for us. All we would like is for there to be a steady, stable and permanent location where these and like minded positive artistic activities could take place. Unfortunately, the city seems unwilling to cooperate or even listen to our concerns and positive attributes which such a building and service could provide. Over the next few days, we will be gathering various community support and feedback concerning this issue. Already several parents, former and current show attendees and community leaders have voiced their great distain of the way the city has been handling this situation. We will be presenting a package to various members of city council and community leaders, illustrating the need for and benefits of having these events take place.

We ask if you could take a few minutes out of your day, and write a letter, be it a few sentences or paragraphs or pages, explaining the positive affect that these or other shows have had on your life. If these shows have ever prevented you from getting involved in precarious activities, created a positive experience for you as a student in Philadelphia, or, if as a parent you greatly value these shows as an encouraging activity that your son and or daughter has decided to partake in. Even if just as a resident in Philadelphia you want to make sure that these events continue to happen in the city, please take the time to help. You may not think these letters will make a difference, but three years ago, when a similar request was made, within 12 hours we received over 1200 letters which actually did make a change in West Philadelphia.

Please write, compose or forward any letters to: SaveAllAgesShows@aol.com

All letters will be printed out and bound together to be presented by the end of the week. Your help and support is greatly appreciated and was never needed as much as right now.

As far as upcoming scheduled shows at the church, we are currently relocating them. By Thursday evening we will have new temporary locations announced for just these upcoming shows. Listed below is what is exactly affected by the church closing. For this Friday's July 19th show with The Locust / Lighting Bolt / Arab on Radar etc it has already been CONFIRMED at Gasoline at 8th and Callowhill (right below Spring Garden, near Transit, Silk City etc) with an after party inside to follow. The Church sanctuary shows with Mum / Interpol and Low / Mark Eitzel are not effected.

Here is the status for each individual upcoming church show :

Fri July 19th - The Locust / Lighting Bolt / Arab on Radar etc - MOVED TO GASOLINE (8th and Callowhill (below Spring Garden) 7pm. - All Ages/21+ To Drink

Tue July 23rd - Mum / Interpol in The Actual Sanctuary - STILL SCHEDULED FOR INSIDE THE ACTUAL SANCTUARY. NOT AFFECTED

Fri July 26th - The Desaparacedios / Rilo Kiley - NEW LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED THURSDAY EVENING

Thu August 15th - Ben Kweller / My Morning Jacket - NEW LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED THURSDAY EVENING

Fri August 16th - Planes Mistaken For Stars / Rambo / Manifesto Jukebox - NEW LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED THURSDAY EVENING

Fri September 27th - Girls Against Boys / Radio 4 - NEW LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED THURSDAY EVENING

Fri October 4th - Do Make Say Think / Fly Pan Am - NEW LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED THURSDAY EVENING

Fri October 11th - Low / Mark Eitzel in The Actual Sanctuary - STILL SCHEDULED FOR INSIDE THE ACTUAL SANCTUARY. NOT AFFECTED

Please e-mail with me with any questions or concerns you may have. All news or updates will be announced via this e-mail list and on the web page at www.r5productions.com

Thank You For The Continued Support Over All These Years. sean / r5 productions