News: The Gig Series in the Tivoli, a 2-hour band performance each Wednesday, is creating controversy.
Views: Students and businesses should find other things to complain about.
Hey, kids, do you like the rock-n-roll? Apparently not. Some people in the Tivoli have complained about the volume of the music performed each week in the Tivoli Atrium. The Gig Series, which brings a different band to the student union for 2 hours each week, has drawn fire from student leaders and administrators.
Metro Dean of Student Life Yolanda Ortega-Ericksen complained specifically about Mary Madness, the group that performed Nov. 5.
ãIt was so loud that it ceased to be music to me and turned into noise,ä Ortega-Ericksen said.
Student Government Assembly Vice President of Student Organizations Jim Hayen said the organizers of the event should ãsearch for music that is entertaining without being overly disruptive.ä
Granted, sometimes the music reaches ear-shattering proportions. And no band is capable of pleasing everyone.
But come on. This is a college campus, and 2 hours a week is not an exorbitant time frame.
The performances attract attention. This does most Tivoli businesses justice by bringing interested students into the building.
Perhaps a maximum volume level limit could be established to avoid breaking glass or making life miserable for those doing office work for the 2-hour period each week, but calling for a particular style of music that is ãentertainingä is far too subjective to be realistic.
Closing oneâs office doors will eliminate the brunt of the distraction if the music is too loud.
The Gig Series is one of few events that can entertain students without forcing undivided attention. You still can eat. You still can shop. You still can study in one of the lounges in the Tivoli.
Or if you just canât stand the music, you can leave for 2 hours and let the band play on.
