SNOOP DOGG RULE INTERESTS CALGARY

Calgary's top bylaw officer says a measure brought in by Lethbridge to
financially punish entertainers who encourage rule-breaking behaviour
while onstage might make sense here.

Earlier this week, Lethbridge city council voted to force performers
with bad reputations to post a bond when they book shows, to ensure
they behave. The measure was introduced in response to a January
concert by rap artist Snoop Dogg during which he and several band
members apparently smoked marijuana and encouraged the audience to do
the same.

"It's a very up front way of enforcing a bylaw," Bill Bruce said of
the Lethbridge measure. "It doesn't sound unreasonable.

"I wouldn't put it out of the scope."

Aside from the illegality of smoking pot, Snoop Dogg's act also broke
Lethbridge's recently implemented smoking bylaw.

Now, an artist deemed to be a trouble maker will have to agree to post
a bond when the contract is signed, and will receive the full amount
owed from the gate receipts only if they haven't broken any laws
during the performance.

"We're not trying to take the life out of Lethbridge," said Mayor Bob
Tarleck. "We're just saying if you come to our house, you live by our
rules."

The resolution came before council after several complaints were
registered following Snoop Dogg's performance.

Tarleck said anyone unwilling to agree to the new terms will not be
welcome to perform in Lethbridge.

It will apply to any type of performer including all musical acts,
comedians and speakers, but only if there is a history of bad behaviour.