Content Warning: mentions sexual assault, no descriptions
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Long Post RE: Sexual Assault Allegations at the Middle East in Cambridge, MA
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TLDR: Sexual Assault has a radiating affect. Make informed decisions to cancel/relocate your shows, and don’t be a “missing stair.”
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Show Cancellations, the “Missing Stair”, Houseboi, Walter Sickert
To survivors of sexual assault, I believe you, I support you.
Recently, my band got bumped off a show at the Middle East, because the headliner (a national, touring band) decided to relocate. I wasn’t too surprised, as I had sent them an article detailing the sexual assault allegations.
I personally cannot speak to the horror of sexual assault, but the toxicity of rape culture and these sexual assaults have a trickle down/radiating effect on everyone in the music community. It affects the people who work there, the bookers scrambling to fill calendar voids, touring bands who don’t feel safe there, supporting bands (like me) who are getting dropped, concert goers, and people who are triggered by sexual assault.
The Middle East is still up and running, and I even attended a show there recently. But now every time we give business to the Middle East, we have to think about our conflicting interest of supporting a loved music/art institution and the harm that was done there.
Before this show was canceled, I felt very conflicted about it. And whether it’s fair or not, a lot of the labor of figuring out what’s right and the safety of shows seems to be falling on the performers.
I believe the staff who work there are trying to make the best of it. They are openly supportive of bands relocating and canceling their shows. They are still giving the same customer service I’ve received before–but it doesn’t appear any changes have been made to actually protect people from being sexually assaulted.
Since most performers (myself included) don’t feel equipped to handle this extra responsibility, some are relocating shows, canceling their shows, or simply choosing not to book shows there. And there are many people who do not know that these allegations are even present, and are continuing to do business there without the option of consent.
A few musicians have really led the way in how to handle these allegations. Houseboi released a beautiful statement (LAST YEAR!) supporting survivors and cutting off ties with Zuzu’s/Middle East. They decided they did not want to be a “missing stair” of accountability. Please read it. They did such a wonderful job listening and putting the safety of their fans and performers first.
https://www.facebook.com/houseboiboston/posts/781235092000988
Walter Sickert & and the Army of Broken Toys are taking a leadership role in this discussion. They have been extremely proactive in taking measures to make their show safe, pressuring the Middle East to make changes, communicating with their fans, donating money to BARCC. They are truly doing the hard work of creating a healthy, supportive environment.
https://www.facebook.com/armyoftoys/posts/10156708321372458?hc_location=ufi
I feel like it’s important to detail what a massive effect sexual assault is having on our music community. My show cancellation took part of the responsibility off my shoulders, but if a show is canceled because of sexual assault–then that is something I have to be open about. These allegations are out in the open, but I think a lot is getting swept under the rug. I feel like we’ve been massively let down. I also feel like I’m a part of the problem. I thought maybe if I feel this way, other people might too.
Thank you for reading this. I’m ready to listen.
To survivors of sexual assault, I believe you, I support you.
More links on this subject:
Here is a more up to date article by Cambridge Day: http://www.cambridgeday.com/2018/09/01/arts-organizations-with-ties-to-the-middle-east-clarify-connections-policies-after-sex-allegation/
Article about Joseph Sater retiring by WBUR:
http://www.wbur.org/artery/2018/08/29/middle-east-nightclub-owner-retires-sexual-assault-allegations
Alex Pickert’s Public Letter: