ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS IN THE DIGITAL AGE WORKSHOP

The City of New Orleans and the University of New Orleans are collaborating on a day-long workshop titled "Entertainment Business In the Digital Age: Creating, Promoting & Distributing." The workshop will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at the Hilton Hotel as part of the New Orleans Media Experience ( www.neworleansmediaexperience.com). Speakers for the entertainment business workshop are still being confirmed. Stay tuned. For registration info, see: http://new-orleans.la.us/home/departmentsAndAgencies/econDev/music/digital_entertainment_workshop.php

N.O. Amusement Tax on Live Music REPEALED 5/3/02

(NEW ORLEANS LA) Friday, May 3, 2002 -- A split New Orleans City Council yesterday repealed the Amusement Tax. The action culminates a 10 year fight led by the Louisiana Music Commission (LMC) to end the tax which was levied on any establishment in Orleans Parish that featured live music. The repeal becomes effective on January 1, 2003.

³This is a great day,² said LMC Chairman Ellis L. Marsalis Jr. ³We¹ve fought this tax for a decade. This is a milestone achievement for the LMC and a momentous occasion for live music in New Orleans.² Marsalis attended the City Council meeting. As Chairman he kept the tax at the top of the agenda of the agency¹s activities.

³I can¹t believe it took this long,² said LMC Executive Director Bernie Cyrus. ³I¹ve lost track of the meetings we¹ve attended over the past 10 years. This issue has been the number one impediment to live music in New Orleans. Now we can tell the world that we¹re truly taking care of the business of music in Louisiana. This action will greatly expand the economic development of music in New Orleans.² The LMC estimates that the overall economic impact of music is worth $3 billion annually to the Louisiana economy.

The ordinance was authored by outgoing Councilman Scott Shea. He was joined by Troy Carter, Jim Singleton and Oliver Thomas in the 4-3 vote. Shea and Carter have been longtime opponents of the tax. Along with Singleton, this was one of the last votes they cast at what was the last City Council meeting of the Morial administration. New mayor Ray Nagin and three new council members will be sworn into office next week. Nagin campaigned against the tax and called the Council just before the vote to encourage them to repeal it.

³What better time to send the message that New Orleans is ready for business,² said MetroVision Chairman Bill Hines to the Council. ²We¹re poised to show the world that we¹re ready for success and that we respect our music industry.²

The Amusement Tax is a 68 year old ordinance that levies a 2% tax on gross sales at any establishment that features live music. Until 1997, the tax was 5%. Thanks to a lawsuit and the legal work of attorneys Justin Zitler and Louisiana State Representative Mitch Landrieu, the tax was reduced. However, at that time all exemptions were removed, and cultural institutions such as the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Audubon Institute¹s public facilities became subject to the tax. Rep. Landrieu has also introduced a bill in Baton Rouge to kill the enabling legislation that allowed the tax to exist.

The LMC is an agency within the Louisiana Department of Economic Development. For more information visit their website at
http://www.louisianamusic.org.