Written by Sylvia Longmire, SpinTheGlobe, August 16, 2022
If you’ve ever browsed through any of my social media accounts, you know that the local live music scene here in Orlando is my social life blood. I started playing the piano when I was seven years old, and tearfully, I had to give it up when I became unable to play with my right hand and use the foot pedals. However, I’ve been singing since I was 19, and I continue to do that today. I’ve been an ardent fan of live music in almost every genre for most of my life. I’m so lucky to have friends in so many local bands here, and that they regularly invite me to sing a few songs with them at numerous venues.
Singing at Haven jam night with Rick Navarro (Beautiful Bastards) and Timothy “Timbo” DiDuro (Completely Unchained) LEFT and Scott Bennett (Torn) and Greg Thompson (Sound Theory) RIGHT
The problem? Let’s just say that dive bars and many local live music venues across the country aren’t exactly known for their wheelchair accessibility. I go out at least two or three nights a week to see my friends play, check out new bands, and just enjoy music ranging from 70s classic rock to 80s pop to 90s alternative. I also regularly sing at local jam nights at three different bars in town. However, each one requires a fair amount of planning, preparation, and considerable bladder control. We’ll get into that later.
For example, this past weekend was so much fun for me. I went to two different bars for live music performances by two amazing local bands (Bandemic and Rockit Fly). I had a great time with friends, and rocked so hard in my chair that I needed ibuprofen both mornings for my neck! However, all that fun comes at a cost. The three biggest problems for me when attending a local live music event are: finding a decent place to situate myself where I can actually get a view of the band; unpredictable behavior towards me by drunk patrons as the night goes on; and my inability to use the bathroom at most places I go.
Let’s start with the first issue. If there’s a popular band playing at a local venue, I have to get there at least half an hour before the band starts just to get a space where I can see anything. If I want to sit at a lower table (some of these venues serve food), I get there at least an hour before. Some of the bars I go to don’t even have low top tables near where the band is playing. As such, I have a removable cupholder that I can attach to my chair so I have a spot to place my beer or soda.
If and when I do find a place to park myself, I’m pretty much stuck there the whole night because there’s no way I can navigate through the (drunk) crowds to go see friends or just move to a different place. I’m usually not able to use a bathroom because they’re not accessible (more on that later), but even if I could, I usually don’t because navigating through people in my power chair and getting back to a spot that may not be there when I get back is almost impossible. Even if I do find a good spot, most people are completely unaware when they stand in front of me that I’m low and can’t see past them. Everyone is always really nice if I just tap them on the back and ask them to move aside, but when alcohol gets involved, people are completely oblivious that they’re blocking my view. I’ve just learned to live with it.
