2008 Woodie Awards
Blackwater Cafe in crisis
Derrick Sheffield
Issue date: 2/10/05 Section: No Limits
Downtown Stockton's own Black Water Café has been operating and scheduling band and performance without a valid license.
Stockton officials confronted Carrie Booth, the fourth owner of the café, and asked to see the required permits to host live events in her establishment. When Booth filed through her paperwork, she was unable to locate the license. Booth was let off with a warning.
"We have applied for a temporary permit, which will cost $500," said Jon Gretsnger, an employee of the café. When asked how long they have been operating without a permit to hold live performances, Booth replied, " The Black Water Café has not had that permit for 12 years.
"Back in November 2003, when I bought Black Water, I was not a where that I needed a permit to have bands play in my café, the previous owner never told me I needed that permit and they have had bands play here since Black Water first opened back in 1981, almost years ago," Booth added.
The café primarily showcases bands on the weekend, and since they have stopped hosting shows, the number of weekend customers have dropped substantially.
During the weekdays, the Black Water Café sees hundreds of new and regular customers who come in for their morning and afternoon delight, and most customers are signing a petition to help the café get the permits they need.
In the past, Black Water has been a melting pot for new up-and-coming artists. They do not favor just one type of music; they vary from jazz, and folk, to punk.
They have hosted such bands as Street Dogs, with the lead singer of Dropkick Murphys, Tsunami Bomb, Uk Subs, and in the mid-90's Cake performed.
Stockton officials confronted Carrie Booth, the fourth owner of the café, and asked to see the required permits to host live events in her establishment. When Booth filed through her paperwork, she was unable to locate the license. Booth was let off with a warning.
"We have applied for a temporary permit, which will cost $500," said Jon Gretsnger, an employee of the café. When asked how long they have been operating without a permit to hold live performances, Booth replied, " The Black Water Café has not had that permit for 12 years.
"Back in November 2003, when I bought Black Water, I was not a where that I needed a permit to have bands play in my café, the previous owner never told me I needed that permit and they have had bands play here since Black Water first opened back in 1981, almost years ago," Booth added.
The café primarily showcases bands on the weekend, and since they have stopped hosting shows, the number of weekend customers have dropped substantially.
During the weekdays, the Black Water Café sees hundreds of new and regular customers who come in for their morning and afternoon delight, and most customers are signing a petition to help the café get the permits they need.
In the past, Black Water has been a melting pot for new up-and-coming artists. They do not favor just one type of music; they vary from jazz, and folk, to punk.
They have hosted such bands as Street Dogs, with the lead singer of Dropkick Murphys, Tsunami Bomb, Uk Subs, and in the mid-90's Cake performed.