Many local artists and
supporters of the Armory's mission to create an artistic haven in
Somerville came to the hearing to support the administrators and
artists who defended their case for obtaining an entertainment license,
which is required by Massachusetts law to hold public shows and to be
able to charge admission.

According to their website, the Arts
at the Armory "seeks to galvanize the creative spirit by providing a
space where working artists and the community can come together." Now,
after many community meetings and a four-year restoration of the
building, the Arts at the Armory is ready to hold theatre productions,
dance shows, and concerts within the halls of the Armory.

The
entertainment license will allow the organization to host events from
7pm to 10 pm on weekdays and 7pm to 11pm on weekends. Already, the
organization plans to host a production of Shakespeare's "Coriolanus"
put on by the Actor's Shakespeare Project – one of many organizations
who rent space in the Armory to pursue their artistic vision.

The
Armory building itself is a well-known site in Somerville. It is hard
to miss when driving down Highland Avenue towards Union Square.
Resembling a white castle with big turrets and a grand front door, the
Armory sticks out remarkably well in this mostly residential
neighborhood.

Built in 1903 by George A. Moore, the Armory's
original purpose was to house the Somerville Light Infantry of the
Massachusetts' Volunteer Militia. For a good portion of the 20th
century it would also be home to the Massachusetts National Guard. The
building would then sit vacant for 30 years before the state would put
it up for auction.

In 2004 Joseph and Nabil Sater, owners of
Central Square's prominent 'Middle East' music club, bought the Armory
for $2.6 million. Joseph Sater had a vision of turning the run-down
Armory into a community arts center for the city of Somerville.

Over
four years later, the Armory has been completely restored and brought
up to code, and the Arts at the Armory is ready for their entertainment
license. "We want to do our job and fulfill our mission." Explained
Debra McLaughlin, manager of Arts at the Armory. McLaughlin believes
that to be an effective organization, the Armory must explore the "four
corners of the art world," meaning visual arts, music, dance and
theatre.

Not everybody in the community is happy about the
entertainment license though. While the crowd who attended Monday's
meeting was overwhelmingly in support of granting the license, there
were a few community members who spoke against it.

Most of the
community members' worries were about the issue of amplified music.
"The concern is that Mr. Sader owns the Middle East and we do not want
that sort of environment in the Armory," explained one opponent to the
license, referring to the rock and roll performances common to the
Middle East music club.

McLaughlin and other supporters were
quick to note the Arts at the Armory has spent thousands of dollars on
sound proofing the building and doing sound checks to make sure
potential noise from concerts would not disturb any residents.

In
addition, McLaughlin noted that the Arts at the Armory had several
professionally mediated meetings between the organization and the
community. At these meetings 41 conditions were agreed upon to gain the
community's consent to pursue an Entertainment License. Nine of these
41 conditions make stipulations concerning sound control. According to
McLaughlin the Arts at the Armory will comply with all 41 of these
conditions.

"We want to be a good neighbor." Said McLaughlin.
"We're taking every measure we can to do that very thing." McLaughlin
and other supporters went on to promise that an open dialogue would
continue between the community and the center via an Advisory board of
elected community members.

At the end of the meeting, one
member of the licensing committee commented that there seems to be "an
overwhelming public need for this project" – an opinion that was only
confirmed by the loud applause after the license application had
officially passed.