BAZAAR CAFE STORY (on behalf of all the artists on the music scene)
Re: Bazaar Café 5927 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94121
On July 5, 2007, we signed-up to play at an open mic in San Francisco, called Bazaar Cafe. This open mic is hosted by Robin Galante and this is probably the 5th or 6th time that we stopped by to perform there. After performing a couple of songs, we stayed for some time, then left. As soon as we left the cafe and got inside our vehicle, a man who was standing outside of the cafe approached us. He stood at the driver's side window of our vehicle and started to harass us by telling us that we did not buy anything that night and accused us of not supporting his business. He told us that we were using his facility and repeatedly said, "Are you going to answer my question." He said this over and over around six times and continued to tell us to give him an answer as to why we didn't buy any drinks that evening. He told us that we've played there 5 times in the past and then proceeded to make accusations relating each time we've played there to the amount of purchases that we've made. He would not identify himself to us when we asked. When we offered to go inside and talk to the patrons there to get some contributing feedback about the derogatory and unjustified statements that the man had made towards us, he told us that he would not allow us to bother "his customers." This lead us to draw the conclusion that this man was likely the owner of Bazaar Cafe (presumably Les Wisner, but not for certain).
This is what's written on their website regarding the open-mic:
"It's a magical place - everyone is welcome, all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. Most importantly, everybody leaves fulfilled. Musical expression is a gift to all who witness it, and for those who perform it. Thank you all for making this happen."
NOTE: There is no cover charge to attend this open-mic. Neither is there a 1, or 2 drink minimum for anyone to watch, or play at this open-mic. We have always willingly purchased food and drinks from the many venues that we've been a part of. We have had a great response each and every time that we've played at the Bazaar Cafe open-mic (Robin Galante knows this as well as the owner and the other regulars who play there). It's apparant that there is one catch whereby the owner can freely discriminate against whomever he so chooses, thus making him and those who follow his lead HYPOCRITES in the truest sense of the word.
We've attended many open mics throughout the Bay Area and this is the first time that we've ever experienced any thing like this. The manner that we were treated was not only disrespectful, but was unprofessional, unwarranted, unjust, and outright discriminatory. Most of the open-mics where we've been scheduled have had us as "the featured artists" where many have commented that we've blown them away with our professionalism and passion. Though we've never asked, nor have we expected, many of these establishments have offered us "free" drinks as well as other forms of compensation because they realize that our music (and the professionalism therein) brings them more business by drawing people in.
We have purchased coffee from this establisment in the past, but frankly, considering the price and the quality, we would have much rather purchased it from somewhere else. It has shown to be factual, that the owner (who would not identify himself as such) has set a bad example for all of the open-mics, so bad that it is bordering on ridiculous. We play very passionate and inspired music, and we personally believe that this happened because the inspired messages of the songs that we offered were far too convicting for this man to 'hold his peace.' If he wanted to exercise his 'constitutional rights' of freedom of speech (or entitlement of expressing his opinion for that matter), then we too will exercise ours and will share this 'bad business etiquette' with as many as will listen.
Thank you for listening...
