<html><head></head><body bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><div>I received this email from the Sound Room jazz folks and thought to forward it along to anyone interested in the state of things regarding the building.</div><div><br></div><div>-Eddan<br><br>sent from +1(415) 728-5800</div><div><br>Begin forwarded message:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div><b>From:</b> "Karen A Van Leuven" <<a href="mailto:kavanleuven@usfca.edu">kavanleuven@usfca.edu</a>><br><b>Date:</b> August 15, 2012 3:23:00 PM PDT<br><b>To:</b> robert bradsby <<a href="mailto:secondsaturdaysalon@gmail.com">secondsaturdaysalon@gmail.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> <b>2147 Broadway</b><br><br></div></blockquote><div></div><blockquote type="cite"><div>Hello. I am the President and Founder of Bay Area Jazz & Arts (AKA The Sound Room). We are slated to move into 2147 Broadway. Our goal was to be in before June 1, however, EBMC continues to occupy the space for which we have a lease. <br>
<br>We are a
charitable nonprofit organization that nurtures music, art, and creative
ventures through live performance and
educational programs. BAJA was created to support the community of
artists and musicians by providing a network for collaboration and
fostering community interaction with the arts. We support live music and
visual arts and believe that communities are enriched by creative
people and art. Our home location will be known as The Sound Room. <br>
<br>Our work initially began through collaboration with Oaktown Jazz
Workshop. We hosted performances for their students and provided pro
bono assistance for generating a mobile outreach truck known as the
Groovemobile. Later, we launched a successful gallery and house concert
series which has been ongoing for almost 4 years. The loss of funding
for music and arts programs in schools galvanized our desire to do more
outreach for students of all ages. We selected 2147 Broadway as a home
for BAJA because of its proximity to public transportation, seismic and
energy efficiency upgrades, handicap accessibility, and location within
an area that currently hosts artistic and creative events on a regular
basis. In short, we want to be part of the cultural renaissance of
Oakland. <br>
<br>Our goal is to provide musical and art events on a regular basis.
Funds received through sales of tickets, beverages and food will be
funneled back into the program to provide educational programs for the
community, conduct outreach, and provide artist in residence stipends.
For example, we had planned a summer series for children. This series
would involve music education, interaction with professional musicians,
and attendance at live performances. A similar program was planned
focused on painting. Unfortunately these programs were canceled due to
our inability to access our site. We will be collaborating with the
School for the Arts and the Oakland Conservatory of Music to provide a
small performance venue for their students. In addition, we are
collaborating with Bay Area Community Services to provide music and art
programs for frail elders. <br>
<br>EBMC is protesting our tenancy. They expressed concern about noise and change in the character of the building. At our own expense we conducted a Noise Study that demonstrates negligible noise transmission from 2147 to the space that they supposedly rent - 2141 upstairs to the left. We are unable to get all of our clearances because of their protest. Our issue is coming before the Planning Commission on 8/29. If you would be willing to write a letter of support for our occupancy, it would be most appreciated. You can submit letters to me at this address. I need to turn in the materials to Planning by 5P on 8/24. <br>
<br>Thank you,<br>Karen Van Leuven<br>510.499.7031<br>
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