By Sylvia Maria Gross
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-575679.mp3
Kansas City, MO – In December, we brought you to the Mutual Musicians Foundation, the historic black musician's union hall that has been holding weekend jam sessions for more than 75 years. The non-profit organization was busted for selling liquor without a license back in September. The jam sessions have continued without alcohol, but attendance has suffered.
The Foundation's board members have worked with lawyers, neighborhood residents and area church-goers to get together an application for a liquor license. But with the license, according to state law, last call will be at 3 am. At that time they'll have to close the bar upstairs, but can continue jamming in the downstairs lounge. State Representative Mike Talboy has filed a bill in the Missouri house, which would allow non-profit organizations on the National Historic Register, to serve alcohol until 6 am. Talboy says he first learned about the Foundation's problem when he was campaigning in the fall.
Mike Talboy represents Missouri's 37th District and introduced the bill that could allow the Foundation to stay open until 6 am. The General Assembly is back from Spring Break this week and the bill will be assigned to the local government committee for a hearing.
See, also this historical website about the Mutual Musician's Foundation.