Rye Could Be Dancing in the Streets

Rye resident Allen Clark wants to hold the city's first ever "Evening of Dance," which would take place on Purchase Street in late June.

Clark discussed his proposed event at the Rye City Council meeting this week, but several City Council members said Clark needed to present them with a more formal outline of his plans, including information about what liabilities or responsibilities the city would have if it approved his request.

Clark, boldly, if not jokingly, stated he wanted the City Council to approve the event the same night he presented the proposal. He said the "Evening of Dancing" would be a perfect complement to a slew of other events that will be held as part of Rye's 350^th Anniversary celebration.

"It would be a three hour dance, from six to nine o'clock," Clark said. "We would have DJs and live music. It would be run by volunteers, but we would need your help."

Clark said the city would need to provide six or seven police officers for security for the event. He requested that Purchase Street be blocked between Arcade Bookseller's and Purdy Avenue.

Clark said he has asked the Rye Chamber of Commerce to encourage its local businesses to stay open later during the event. An "Evening of Dance" would cost between $3,000-$5,000 and have between 400-500 attendees, Clark estimates. He is hoping to get the backing of corporate sponsors to help foot the bill.

Council member Peter Jovanovich embraced Clark's idea, saying it would be a great way to bring the community together.

"I think it's a terrific idea. " Jovanovich said. " But, a couple of questions—does this include swing dancing?"

"I hope we find a way to make this happen," he added.

Other council members weren't so jubilant about Clark's proposal.

"It's an interesting idea, but you need a lot of volunteers and a lot of financing," council member Catherine Parker said. "I think your figure of $3,000-$5,000 is very underestimated, [especially with] overtime issues for six police officers."

"I think this is slightly premature. You're sort of at the ground level here and you need to come to us when the idea has been more fleshed out," she added. "It needs to be more than a germ of an idea and I think that's where we are."

Clark said he decided to approach the City Council with the idea as soon as possible because their approval would make it easier to get corporate sponsors.

Council member Paula Gamache asked what the city's liability would be if it approved the event.

"What's the city's liability with getting 500 people happy in the middle of the street?" she asked. "This would be a big concern to me. I think that we're sort of asking for trouble."

Gamache said that if Clark wanted to throw an event on Purchase Street, then he had to bear full responsibility for all the costs, including cleanup charges from the Department of Public Works.

Mayor Doug French said Clark's idea was unique, but the City Council needed more information before it could make a decision.

"I think it's an interesting concept. Clearly I don't think we're ready to vote on anything tonight," he said.

Clark said he would contact potential corporate sponsors to see if he could get any financial support for his idea. Clark intends to present a more thorough plan to the City Council at an upcoming meeting.