The hysteria started spreading through Cleveland’s music world about two weeks ago: word that legislation is in the works that would ban all live music in the city of Cleveland.
Promptly dubbed the “Footloose Act,” it quickly drew opposition in the form of an online petition addressed to “Cleveland City Counsel.” In response, The Plain Dealer decried the legislation by boldly contradicting its own editorial from earlier this summer. Wild-eyed TV reporters embellished the story for bonus ratings. And in multiple interviews, councilman Joe Cimperman effectively took all sides on the issue.
The only problem: They all got it wrong. There’s no attempt to ban live music in Cleveland. Turns out opponents misunderstood a key portion of the proposal.
