The Safe Amplification Site Society, also known as Safe Amp or SASS is a non-profit organization that promotes the legitimacy of music and arts within Vancouver for participants of all ages.[1] Safe Amp is a member-based organization, and relies on donations for funding.[2] Many of the directors of Safe Amp are prominent musicians in the Vancouver community, including co-founder and general director Ryan McCormick of Collapsing Opposites and They Shoot Horses, Don't They?. The organization was created with inspiration from such organizations as Seattle's The Vera Project and The Smell in Los Angeles.[3]

A key initiative for Safe Amp has been establishing a "permanent, legal, alcohol-free, all-ages space for music and arts events" in Vancouver.[2][4] General advocacy on this issue is also a key activity; Safe Amp aims to put pressure on the municipal and provincial governments and British Columbia's Liquor Control and Licensing Board to amend provincial liquor laws.[5] Recent years have seen many popular live music venues in Vancouver close due to strict liquor licensing regulations, gentrification, the rapid development of condominiums, or noise complaints in the densely populated city centre.[6][7]

Safe Amp is known for its do-it-yourself all-ages events,[8] which have included concerts and film screenings.[3] In 2012, Safe Amp organized a series of workshops and festivals under the title "Skills for Performing Artists through Community Engagement" ("S.P.A.C.E. Camp") that included notable speakers such as Fugazi/Minor Threat frontman Ian MacKaye and Nardwuar the Human Serviette, performers including Calvin Johnson and The Evaporators, and representatives from organizations including Mint Records and K Records.[8]

The organization operated a part-time temporary venue in Vancouver's Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood in the former Astorino's dining hall at 1739 Venables Street,[9] hosting all-ages music events and festivals until August 2015.[10] Safe Amp also hosted events in local shops and community halls available for private rental, but the rapid increase of market-rate rental fees in these venues posed further barriers to the volunteer-run organizers.[11] Many of Safe Amp's social media feeds have not been updated since 2019,[12] presumably due to the restrictions[13] placed upon live music venues in the Vancouver area during the COVID-19 pandemic.

References

  1. ↑ "Safe Amplification Site Society offers suggestions on regulatory review for live performance venues". Georgia Straight. February 1, 2011. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  2. 1 2 Adrian Mack (May 27, 2009). "Venue relief hopefully on the way through Safe Amplification Site Society". Georgia Straight. Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  3. 1 2 Jordie Yow (June 30, 2009). "Safe Amplification Site Society". Discorder. Archived from the original on July 31, 2009. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Cleaning party". Safe Amplification Site Society. March 15, 2013. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
  5. ↑ Joshua Erickson (February 4, 2013). "The Kids are Alright?". Beatroute. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  6. ↑ Peter Birnie (August 26, 2009). "Part three: View on Vancouver's live music venues". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Taming Vancouver's eastern 'war zone'". Vancouver Sun. December 15, 2007. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  8. 1 2 Josiah Hughes (August 7, 2012). "Vancouver's Safe Amplification Site Society Recruits Ian MacKaye, Calvin Johnson, Nardwuar for S.P.A.C.E. Camp". Exclaim!. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  9. ↑ Francois Marchand (April 20, 2013). "Safe Amp launches all-ages venue in East Van". Vancouver Sun. Archived from the original on June 30, 2013. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  10. ↑ "Facebook". www.facebook.com/collapsing-opposites. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  11. ↑ "Safe Amp Society seeks permanent space". Vancouver Is Awesome. 2014-09-11. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  12. ↑ "Log in or sign up to view". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2023-12-02.
  13. ↑ "Generation COVID". ubcjournalism.shorthandstories.com. Retrieved 2023-12-02.


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