wastebook2014

WASTEBOOK 201414AsColorado Orchestra TargetsYouth with Stoner Symphony$15,000“Classically Cannabis: The High Note Series marks a newpartnership between the Colorado Symphony and theindustry that supports legal cannabis in Colorado.”15andFaced with budget cuts, the U.S. CoastGuard reduced drug and migrant interdictionswhile continuing to provide free patrols in thewaters along “some of the country’s mostexclusive real estate” to stop uninvited guestsfrom crashing private parties.While taxpayers appreciate the crucialrole the Coast Guard serves protecting ournation’s waterways and rescuing nearly 5,000people a year, 255 most are probably unaware itscrewmen also serve as bouncers to keep thegeneral public and other uninvited guests outof private events on and along yachts, beaches,fewer Americans regularly attend thesymphony, one orchestra in Colorado has anidea to draw in new patrons: smoking dope.Hoping to raise some funds, the ColoradoSymphony Orchestra hosted “ClassicallyCannabis: The High Note Series,” a marijuanathemedmusical revue that encourages peoplenot only to show up, but to smoke up. 244 Theevents featured classical selections fromDebussy, Bach, Wagner and Puccini, as well asa “small outdoor area with food trucks and apair of ice cream and popsicle vendors, whereattendees also openly smoked cannabis.” 245One of the three concerts, called SummerMonsoon, advertised on its website this way,“Smoke up and fill your belly with Manna’sspiced pork, Sesame Seed Teriyaki Chicken, &Filipino Empanadas.” 246Pot dealers were not allowed to sell insidethe shows, but people were encouraged tobring their own and smoke just before walkingin. For those who wanted to take a drag duringthe show organizers provided an outdoor patio,which according to spokesperson Laura BondU.S. Coast GuardParty Patrols$100,000 or moreestates.“For some regattas, yacht club parties andeven weddings, the maritime agency assignsboats and crews to enforce ‘safety zones,’” like“it does for public fireworks displays such asthe Macy’s Fourth of July celebration in NewYork City.” 256 And “unlike police agencies thatprovide security support for private eventson land, the Coast Guard does not seekreimbursement, leaving the bill to taxpayers.” 257“While the Coast Guard’s efforts areintended to protect other boaters drawn toevents, at least in some cases, the hosts ofwas needed because marijuana smoke is, “notgood for people who play the saxophone.” 247In 2014, funding for the orchestra inthe amount of $15,000 was provided by theNational Endowment for the Arts through its“Art Works” program. 248 Art Works grants arefor “innovative projects” that offer insightsthrough “unconventional solutions.” 249 However,while current federal law prohibits possession ordistribution of marijuana, the orchestra will nothave to return the NEA grant. 250Event organizers emphasized the needto attract Colorado’s young people. “Theaudience has been getting older and smaller,”said Colorado Symphony CEO Jerry Kern,adding “It’s innovate or die. It’s change or die.It’s reach new people or die, and we’re notgoing to die.” 251However, some of the orchestra’s olderpatrons complained, fearing the symphonywould follow suit the Florida Orchestra, whichtried to draw in a younger crowd with musicfrom popular video games. 252 Bond offeredreassurances, though, “We’re not bringing inSnoop Dogg as an artist.” 253Others were thrilled. “I am watchinghistory being made!” a gray-haired womannamed Roxanne Prescott told a Slate reporter,“I don’t like all those I call punk-ass dead-headstoners. This is more comfortable for me. Itfeels upper class.” 254private events that receive safety zones areclear that the intent is not to benefit the public,”according to the Associated Press.In July, “two orange boats carrying nineCoast Guard service members, all clad in bodyarmor and some carrying handguns,” werestations in Long Island Sound. Their mission:Keep other boaters away from a “bargelaunching celebratory fireworks” for a weddingparty on Glen Island, “which is connected tothe mainland by a drawbridge and taken upmostly by a park that was first developed as asummer resort by a congressman in the 19thcentury.” 258“The 15-minute display cost close to$100,000,” according to Charlie DeSalvo,executive producer of Fireworks by Grucci. 259“This is a world-class Grucci choreographedbarge,” bragged DeSalvo said. “This is nota fireworks show that would normally beproduced for the local fire department at theircarnival.” 260 So while the party hosts could16