Slog
News & ArtsTuesday, March 10, 2009
City Seattle Semi-Pro League Plans to Hold Benefit Show, Fight State's Ruliing
Posted by Jonah Spangenthal-Lee on Tue, Mar 10, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Yesterday, the Washington State Department of Licensing issued a ruling on the status of the Seattle Semi-Pro (SSP) wrestling league, requiring the group to cease and desist all performances until the league is officially licensed and insured as an athletic event.
It appears the state's ruling has taken SSP members by surprise. According to Nathaniel Pinzon—who wrestles under the name Deevious Silvertongue—the group "honestly thought that this could be amicably solved, that logic would prevail," he says. "We didn’t really think this was going to be as big of a deal as it turned out to be."
As Pinzon and the rest of SSP are coming up with a game plan to fight the state's ruling, a bill which could put even tighter restrictions on wrestling events is working its way through the state legislature.
HB 1348 would broaden the state's definition of wrestling, which could screw things up for any other wrestling troupes out there that are still flying under the radar.
Pinzon says SSP is planning to fight the state's ruling and will hold an April 1st benefit show at Club Motor, which could help pay for a suit against the state—which would come as a last resort. "There will be SSP characters [at the show]," Pinzon says. "We may be able to wrestle, we’re not sure. We don’t want to [do] a half produced show."
Despite the state's ruling, Pinzon is optimistic about SSP's future. "A year from now we’re going to still be performing," he says. "We’d still love to engage in the fight cabaret style but it won’t matter if it’s not legal. If that’s the case, we’ll just do sketch comedy.What if the punchline is a body slam?"
1
Yeah, holding a benefit doing exactly what the state has just ordered you not to do in order to raise money to fight the cease-and-desist order...that is "logic" that only a semi-pro wrestler can understand.
5
all the best to the SSP folks- they put on a hell of a show and they got fucked in the fine print. I hope the state and the rest of you take your heads out of your asses and start throwing some support their way. SSP is a theatre and nightlife tradition the likes of which we rarely see around here. if you can't figure out why that's important or interesting, get back to updating your facebook page and wondering why no one ever calls you to do anything.
6
I have been pretty silent on this till now.I am a founding member, writer, and performer for SSP.I want to thank everybody for the support you've shown.I knew we were loved but this outpouring of support has blown me away.
It's not just an issue of getting licensed. It's that with that we would likely need to buy a ring, can't do shows in bars, no profanity, beer garden must be set far way from the ring, no throwing balls, etc. We would lose the essence of what SSP is.They are forcing us to be a wrestling company.That's not what we are or want to be.
We are theater, we want to perform our own unique brand of theater for adults with adult comedy in an adult setting.
This is only one aspect of why we are fighting this but it is one that has not been discussed in a public forum yet and I want it to be out there.
Also, I am concerned by the lack of support we are getting from the wrestling community itself.We are going to bat fighting the laws that make it impossible for anyone to have an actual wrestling company in this state.I can't think of one company in the entire state that does not do there show on the reservation where they do not need to answer to the DOL because they are unable to stay alive financially or have the freedom to run the show without being regulated and censored into mediocrity.
We are fighting to help define your sport as an athletic profession seperate from the fans like us just having fun with it or the backyard wrestlers you shy away from.I know a few guys who are pro wrestlers and they have to drive hours to ply their trade in a small venue in the middle of nowhere for little, if any pay.We are fighting your fight here too.You are the professionals they are saying we are.Yet we are fighting your fight for you.Please come forward and help us shine a light on the situation and the laws that are inhibiting your right to throw the show you want, where you want, by putting a financial strangle hold on your profession.
More...
It's not just an issue of getting licensed. It's that with that we would likely need to buy a ring, can't do shows in bars, no profanity, beer garden must be set far way from the ring, no throwing balls, etc. We would lose the essence of what SSP is.They are forcing us to be a wrestling company.That's not what we are or want to be.
We are theater, we want to perform our own unique brand of theater for adults with adult comedy in an adult setting.
This is only one aspect of why we are fighting this but it is one that has not been discussed in a public forum yet and I want it to be out there.
Also, I am concerned by the lack of support we are getting from the wrestling community itself.We are going to bat fighting the laws that make it impossible for anyone to have an actual wrestling company in this state.I can't think of one company in the entire state that does not do there show on the reservation where they do not need to answer to the DOL because they are unable to stay alive financially or have the freedom to run the show without being regulated and censored into mediocrity.
We are fighting to help define your sport as an athletic profession seperate from the fans like us just having fun with it or the backyard wrestlers you shy away from.I know a few guys who are pro wrestlers and they have to drive hours to ply their trade in a small venue in the middle of nowhere for little, if any pay.We are fighting your fight here too.You are the professionals they are saying we are.Yet we are fighting your fight for you.Please come forward and help us shine a light on the situation and the laws that are inhibiting your right to throw the show you want, where you want, by putting a financial strangle hold on your profession.
7
Please read the article and look up House Bill 1348. This is a mess. It is worded in such a way that it makes you wonder why these people don't take time to actually, you know, RUN OUR STATE RIGHT! 8 Billion dollar budget shortfall indeed.
We have a saying where I come from..
"Throw the bums out"!
FIRST LIST OF THOSE INVOLVED:
REP. TAMI GREEN (D-28TH)
REP. STEVE CONWAY (D-29TH)
REP. PAT SULLIVAN (D-47TH)
Look them up. Contact them. Let them know how ridiculous this is.
We have a saying where I come from..
"Throw the bums out"!
FIRST LIST OF THOSE INVOLVED:
REP. TAMI GREEN (D-28TH)
REP. STEVE CONWAY (D-29TH)
REP. PAT SULLIVAN (D-47TH)
Look them up. Contact them. Let them know how ridiculous this is.
8
I JUST SENT THIS LETTER TO A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER. MAYBE GETTING MORE WORD OUT WILL HELP!!!
If you support these guys, cut and paste it and send it all around. Write your own feelings in!
Send it to friends and have them do the same!
I hope to get the chance to see you again, SSP!
Hello,
My name is [FILL IN YOUR NAME HERE]. I am a proud taxpaying citizen of Seattle. In my years in the Capitol Hill area I have taken the time to grow into my community, as a proud sponsor of neighborhood art and life. Having made a goal of protecting my neighborhood and neighbors, I know I love my city- its diversity, its beauty, its character. I now consider myself a citizen of the state of Washington. This is where I belonged all along.
The Capitol Hill area of Seattle is the most diverse and densely populated part of the city. Its residents (and friends of mine) consist of teachers, car salesmen, video game developers, bartenders, beauticians, cooks, valets, and on and on. They are white, black, Latino, Asian, and so on. They are gay, straight, and in-between. They are male, female, and in-between. They love their neighborhood and try to love their lives, but, struggle under the face of outside ignorance. It is why neighborhood's started in the first place. To be around those like you.
We all may be different, but, we are all the same. We want to live our lives the way we see fit, without telling anyone else how to live theirs.
And, for six years, once a month, some of these citizens of "The Hill", and like minded friends from around the state of Washington, gathered under the same roof to see art that could only work in Capitol Hill.
Seattle Semi Pro, a theater group that has been under attack for the past year from the Washington State Department of Licensing.
Their struggle has been put forth in print media (Seattle Times, the Stranger, etc), web media (Wall Street Journal, Seattle Metropolitan Magazine), and local media pundits such as Ken Schram and Chris Cashman. We are beyond any single description, and, we like it that way. I have always considered us to be a twenty ring circus where you never know what to expect. You will laugh. You will cry. You will yell and stomp and FEEL EMOTION.
And now, it seems, we are losing grip of something we care for.
As a citizen of your district, I am asking you to offer a hand in our struggle. If you are wondering who "we" are, then think back to November 4th, 2008. On the corner of Pike and Broadway, and in bars and homes and gathering areas across the hill, we danced in the street as sister and brother in the name of change and democracy. For a moment, we all believed in the system and that in the end, what is right and just can prevail.
We know in our hearts and souls we are right. We are right for being such a diverse group of people considered "weird" to the outside world, and SSP has invited us into their tent of love and happiness.
How can they be a danger when they do so much good? Look at the professions above, and think of all of the other jobs and work done by our community. And once a month, we got together to let off some steam. We got a chance to pretend. Pretend to be who we really are. Performers. Friends. Neighbors.
They bring the brand of entertainment Seattle has been known for years to bring. DIFFERENT. SPECIAL.
We are fighting for what we love, and would hope that you can support us.
Please contact SSP at your earliest convenience to let us know your opinions on this matter.
The Department of Licensing has lumped them in with sports entertainers who take their careers very seriously. SSP IS NOT PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING.
Please help us in our attempt to live our lives. This is not just for me. This is not for all official members of SSP. But it is for the biggest part of the show, the most important part of the show:
The neighbors we love.
Thank your for your time. I look forward to hearing from SSP as to what your opinion is on the matter.
PUT YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION HERE
More...
If you support these guys, cut and paste it and send it all around. Write your own feelings in!
Send it to friends and have them do the same!
I hope to get the chance to see you again, SSP!
Hello,
My name is [FILL IN YOUR NAME HERE]. I am a proud taxpaying citizen of Seattle. In my years in the Capitol Hill area I have taken the time to grow into my community, as a proud sponsor of neighborhood art and life. Having made a goal of protecting my neighborhood and neighbors, I know I love my city- its diversity, its beauty, its character. I now consider myself a citizen of the state of Washington. This is where I belonged all along.
The Capitol Hill area of Seattle is the most diverse and densely populated part of the city. Its residents (and friends of mine) consist of teachers, car salesmen, video game developers, bartenders, beauticians, cooks, valets, and on and on. They are white, black, Latino, Asian, and so on. They are gay, straight, and in-between. They are male, female, and in-between. They love their neighborhood and try to love their lives, but, struggle under the face of outside ignorance. It is why neighborhood's started in the first place. To be around those like you.
We all may be different, but, we are all the same. We want to live our lives the way we see fit, without telling anyone else how to live theirs.
And, for six years, once a month, some of these citizens of "The Hill", and like minded friends from around the state of Washington, gathered under the same roof to see art that could only work in Capitol Hill.
Seattle Semi Pro, a theater group that has been under attack for the past year from the Washington State Department of Licensing.
Their struggle has been put forth in print media (Seattle Times, the Stranger, etc), web media (Wall Street Journal, Seattle Metropolitan Magazine), and local media pundits such as Ken Schram and Chris Cashman. We are beyond any single description, and, we like it that way. I have always considered us to be a twenty ring circus where you never know what to expect. You will laugh. You will cry. You will yell and stomp and FEEL EMOTION.
And now, it seems, we are losing grip of something we care for.
As a citizen of your district, I am asking you to offer a hand in our struggle. If you are wondering who "we" are, then think back to November 4th, 2008. On the corner of Pike and Broadway, and in bars and homes and gathering areas across the hill, we danced in the street as sister and brother in the name of change and democracy. For a moment, we all believed in the system and that in the end, what is right and just can prevail.
We know in our hearts and souls we are right. We are right for being such a diverse group of people considered "weird" to the outside world, and SSP has invited us into their tent of love and happiness.
How can they be a danger when they do so much good? Look at the professions above, and think of all of the other jobs and work done by our community. And once a month, we got together to let off some steam. We got a chance to pretend. Pretend to be who we really are. Performers. Friends. Neighbors.
They bring the brand of entertainment Seattle has been known for years to bring. DIFFERENT. SPECIAL.
We are fighting for what we love, and would hope that you can support us.
Please contact SSP at your earliest convenience to let us know your opinions on this matter.
The Department of Licensing has lumped them in with sports entertainers who take their careers very seriously. SSP IS NOT PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING.
Please help us in our attempt to live our lives. This is not just for me. This is not for all official members of SSP. But it is for the biggest part of the show, the most important part of the show:
The neighbors we love.
Thank your for your time. I look forward to hearing from SSP as to what your opinion is on the matter.
PUT YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION HERE
9
If you are sick and tired of government trying to control everything or if you support
SSP and night life in general, come to Motor, April 1st and watch them perform.
Motor will be hosting a SSP benefit to fight the good fight,no pun intended! I've seen
them on stage and it was a lot of fun. The show is more theatre than sport and the state should butt out and address some real problems. We at Motor are glad we can help these folks. Don't let Big Brother push us around. What's next? Ban burlesque, live music, or anything else they don't like. Just my 2 cents!
Joe Motor
SSP and night life in general, come to Motor, April 1st and watch them perform.
Motor will be hosting a SSP benefit to fight the good fight,no pun intended! I've seen
them on stage and it was a lot of fun. The show is more theatre than sport and the state should butt out and address some real problems. We at Motor are glad we can help these folks. Don't let Big Brother push us around. What's next? Ban burlesque, live music, or anything else they don't like. Just my 2 cents!
Joe Motor
10
On HR 1348: Actually it looks like this could be a good thing for SSP.
See Section 4, amending RCW 67.08.015: it removes the bit about "A... wrestling event may not be conducted within the state except under a license..." leaving only "The following are not subject to the licensing provisions of this chapter:... Entirely amateur events..." where 'amateur' means that nobody competes for a prize worth more than $50. It does however retain a section stating that an amateur event must be sanctioned by a recognized association. And it is a mess: those recognized associations are only defined for boxing, kickboxing, or MMA, not wrestling.
See Section 4, amending RCW 67.08.015: it removes the bit about "A... wrestling event may not be conducted within the state except under a license..." leaving only "The following are not subject to the licensing provisions of this chapter:... Entirely amateur events..." where 'amateur' means that nobody competes for a prize worth more than $50. It does however retain a section stating that an amateur event must be sanctioned by a recognized association. And it is a mess: those recognized associations are only defined for boxing, kickboxing, or MMA, not wrestling.
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