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Buju Banton’s Hat Factory Show Cancelled, Norfolk Show Still Slated
GayRVA received word this weekend that the Buju Banton show originally scheduled for the National and then moved to the Hat Factory has been cancelled. The event posting was removed from the National’s website and has not appeared on the Hat Factory site.
The Hat Factory’s box office confirmed the cancellation from the roster late on Friday according to Jay Squires, President of the Gay Community Center of Richmond. A memo from the landlord’s attorney states the same. No word has been received from Lion’s Heart Promotion on a rescheduled show according to Squires.
Times Dispatch writer Melissa Ruggieri reported Thursday that the promoters were renting the venue for the show according to the Hat Factory’s general manager Mitch Warnecke:
“Music is a form of art, and we try and not censor people’s messages or art, nor hold their past art against them,” Warnecke said. “This was in no way intended to be damaging or hurtful in any way whatsoever toward the bi, gay and lesbian community, and we support their beliefs as well.”
A show at the Norva is still schedule for Friday, September 25. GLBTLive, a video blogger based in Hampton Roads has formed a Facebook group calling for the protest of the Norfolk show.
UPDATE: Style Weekly just published this article.
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One Comment
OK, point has been made. Artistes (dance-hall and reggae) are now compelled to sign to a code of conduct and all that…a positive step for sure.
I’ve been listening to Buju from the start and his earlier work as a teenager, is grossly overshadowed by his socially aware and uplifting music…..as well as some that is just sheer entertainment without pretending to raise the consciousness of humanity. The question is, apart from exacting revenge, what does the gay community want from this man? You cannot legislate the hearts of man. You want to win genuine support and acceptance outside of your community? The only way is to do it by conducting yourselves with dignity and integrity. The angry response of twisting arms and threatening financial extinction may gain short-term ground but nothing in the long run. For every Buju you try to chop down, three more spring up…that is not the direction in which we want to go. The lyrics of Boom-Bye-Bye, like racism, will unfortunately be with us forever but we can break down the walls that divide us if we work towards our goal sincerely, honestly and in good faith.