Why won’t they let the music play at Lola’s? It’s a story that’s steeped in fear, racism and a couple of neighbors who aren’t happy about their new interracial neighbors.

While this isn’t our normal type of content, it’s important to note for a number of reasons. Racism is still very real and alive. Fears run the fashion world and prevent more ethnic models and designers from breaking through certain barriers. In addition, we’ve had to deal with our own issues with racism and have seen first hand in our events that the type of “crowd” you bring in determines whether or not you’ll work with a venue again. Too “black” and you’re packing your bags.

To give you some background on Lola’s, located at 15 Watt Street, here’s the story so far.

In 2004, the owners we’re looking to open up the Creole restaurant in Soho. As news began filtering through of their new potential neighbors, fliers were posted in doorways throughout Soho asking residents to come to Soho Alliance full board meeting to “Say No to Lola.” The fliers called the restaurant a threat to the neighborhood, claiming it would increase crime because Lola featured rhythm-and-blues music. Owner, Ms. Patrick-Odeen, who is African-American, felt the implied link between a black musical genre and the threat of increased crime was inherently racist. Charges of racism were raised at the full board meeting, where Soho Alliance members spoke in opposition to Lola, and again last Wednesday at the S.L.A. hearing, when a neighbor supporting Lola — called the opposition to the restaurant “a high-tech lynching.” She was rebuked by S.L.A. Chairman Boyle for her choice of words.”

After the opposition at the meeting a petition was passed around to get the restaurant out of the neighborhood. A private detective discovered that dozens of petitioners named on the Soho Alliance’s first Article 78 proceeding were residents of Shelter Island whose names were supplied by Mary Evans, a dedicated (also see has nothing to do with her free time) anti-Lolaist, who owns a home there. Other Soho residents named as petitioners signed affidavits denying they ever gave the Soho Alliance permission to use their names. One resident petitioner, Ronnie Wolf, said that although she had given the Soho Alliance her name several years ago “to fight the growing number of bars and restaurants in Soho,” she was “not familiar” with Lola.

Now the Soho Alliance (made up of mostly white members) continues it’s tirade on Lola’s fighting to prevent the restaurant from allowing live music in their venue, privilege enjoyed by white owned restaurants like the Cupping Room Cafe and Idée on West Broadway, Boom on Spring St. and Café Tina on Prince St. The Soho Alliance has not taken action against any of these venues.

Let the music play you racist bastards!!!