Package #3 - The Yacht Club and the 21 Ordinance

ANCHOR LEDE

More than five months after the 21 Ordinance went into effect, Iowa City's
downtown has seen some changes. Even though the police aren't having to
deal with as many drunken and disorderly people, the local music scene
in Iowa City is suffering. Daily Iowan TV reporter Nick Fetty has the
story.

SCRIPT

When the people of Iowa City voted to retain the 21
Ordinance in November, there was a lot of question about what would
happen to the night life downtown. With dozens of bars downtown, it may
have seemed like drinking was the only thing to do. However some of
these bars serve more than just alcohol. The Yacht Club is just one of
those bars. Since reopening its doors in 2003, the Yacht Club has
provided Iowa City with live music from local, regional and even
nationally recognized bands. However, since the 21 Ordinance went into
effect last June it has impacted the Yacht Club.

QUOTE FROM SCOTT KADING

"I mean take one of our favorite bands like Euforquestra. They
played a show here this summer and there was probably 40 or 50 underage
kids that were not at it. And so our sales were the same but they got
400 or 500 less dollars and that's tough for a touring band that doesn't
make much."

SCRIPT

The city council has however made exceptions for
bars like the Yacht Club and other entertainment venues. 19 and 20 year
olds are allowed in the bar until midnight at places that offer live
music, poetry readings and other forms of entertainment. Kading doesn't
think this exception will be enough for the Yacht Club since many of
their headliners don't take the stage until midnight. The Yacht Club
rarely has issues with underage drinking or other alcohol-related
problems and Kading hopes to use his good relationship with local law
enforcement so that the city council will allow 19 and 20 years olds to
stay until 2 a.m. But regardless of the age of the show-goers, the Yacht
Club will continue to provide Iowa City with live music. Nick Fetty,
Daily Iowan TV.

LEDE OUT

Iowa City's own Euforquestra is playing an all ages show at the Yacht Club beginning at
8:30 p.m. this Wednesday. The show will be all ages until 10 p.m. and 19
and 20 year olds can stay until midnight. Admission is $10.