Congress Theater Bans Electronic Dance Music

The agreement remains in effect even if the old movie theater is sold to a new operator

A Chicago theater, which has hosted performances by EDM stars like Skrillex, Rusko and Steve Aoki, has reportedly banned electronic dance music.

The ban is part of an agreement recently signed by Eddie Carranza, owner of the Congress Theater in Logan Square and the city of Chicago in a “plan of operation” for the theater, DNAinfo reported.

The agreement reportedly remains in effect even if the old movie theater is sold to a new operator.

The theater, located at 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave., has been shut down since losing its liquor license last year.

Gregory Steadman, the city’s liquor control commissioner, told the website the “license revocation had to do with EDM events” and said “the community does not want those events there.”

Steadman, who noted that not all EDM events are bad, also reportedly expressed concerns on the safety of EDM events in a venue of that size.

Ald. Joe Moreno told DNAinfo he felt the ban goes too far and said the blame should be placed on the operator for the handling of crowds at EDM events, but he ultimately supports the plan of operation.

The city defines EDM as "music created by a DJ or multiple DJs primarily using specialized equipment and software instead of traditional instruments."

There has been no reported change in the status of the theater’s liquor license.

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