letter to rhino’s trying to get them to let us use their space as a practice space
To whom this may concern,
I am a resident of Bloomington and play music with other Bloomington residents. Increasingly, practicing in band members’ homes in residential areas is coming in conflict with some neighbors and the enforcement of the city’s “Quiet Nights” initiative. Certainly, I and other musicians respect the desires of others to have quiet neighborhoods, and many of us also enjoy the quiet atmosphere in these neighborhoods. However, it is difficult to reconcile our desire to practice the (sometimes loud) music that we take very seriously with our respect for all the noise preferences of our neighbors. Because of this, we are trying to seek out alternate spaces to practice music that would pose less of a risk of adding noise pollution to residential neighborhoods. I am writing to inquire about the possibility of allowing local bands to schedule time to practice at Rhino’s when there are not ongoing youth programs or shows. If this is not feasible, perhaps there are other city-maintained spaces which might be able to accommodate such activity. From locals who have become well known international performers, to the yearly Lotus Festival, to the thriving independent music scene, to the numerous clubs and venues in Bloomington, to Rhino’s itself, Bloomington has a strong music culture that I think contributes greatly to the quality of life in town. It would be a great thing for the city to support the efforts of local musicians while helping to alleviate some of the noise issues in residential neighborhoods. If there is someone who might be a better contact for this question, I would appreciate it if you could provide me with their contact information. Thanks for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Geoffrey Hing