Thursday October 4, 2001

Local organizers and participants of Fall Crawl have faith in attendees

Tomorrow night promises to be a Tucson music lover's dream.

More than 100 bands will gather in local bars and clubs in the downtown area for Fall Crawl. The event is expected to draw more than 7,000 people.

However, many groups, including the City Council, the Tucson police and local neighborhoods, worry this might not be the best time to gather a large amount of people, with terrorism fears at an all-time high.

Rialto Theater owner Jeb Schoonover said one group in particular, the police, voiced concerns about the amount of people attending the event.

"We probably average at these events 8,000 to10,000 people," Schoonover said. "Every year it's gotten bigger. Their (the police) whole thing was to keep it at a manageable level. We did agree to keep the number at 7,500. We are working with the police to make sure it's going to be safe."

Schoonover said limiting the amount of admittance wristbands sold for the event to 7,500 could help security maintain the level of attendees.

The $5 wristbands, Schooner said, should be purchased early at Zia Record Exchange outlets or participating nightclubs.

He added that it has been more of a process setting up Fall Crawl this year than in previous years, which Schoonover attributes to April's Fourth Avenue riots.

The event's security will be boosted as a result of the community's recent terrorism fears. Each venue will have its own security. Several police squads will patrol as well.

"Better safe than sorry," Schoonover said. "We always have a lot of security at our events because it is a 21-and-over event. We're very keen in terms of anyone sneaking in. We will have ample security at any of the exits to the venues."

Schoonover also noted that this event is spread out over many different areas in downtown Tucson, not just one.

"In terms of a large gathering, this event is unique because it takes place in so many venues," Schoonover said. "Unlike a UA football game, this event is spread out over 20 different venues."

As far as anticipating any trouble, Schoonover is quick to point out that this event is no newcomer to the Tucson scene.

"This will be our eighth year, and we do it twice a year," Schooner said. "We have never had any incidents. This event is all about the music and having fun."

History senior David Rothschild of the Hampton Band said he is less worried about problems than he is about the wait for his band to play Friday night.

"(I'm feeling) not so much anxiety (about the event) as excitement and anticipation," Rothschild said. "It's always fun to play a show and make people dance and watch them groove to our music."

Rothschild added that Fall Crawl will have a different atmosphere than the NCAA men's basketball national championship crowd. That infamous crowd proceeded to commit random acts of violence until police moved in, throwing tear gas and shooting rubber bullets.

"It's not the same setting as the national championship was," Rothschild said. "I really don't perceive any problems. I think people are going just to have a good time."

Rothschild said this will be a great end-of-the-week event for the Tucson community.

"I think people are going to have fun, have a couple drinks, and enjoy the beginning of their weekend," Rothschild said. "It's a good way to unwind from the stressful school week. Where else can you see 100 bands for five bucks?"

Schoonover also has great faith in the night's events.

"Good music evokes good feelings in people," Schoonover said. "That doesn't allow there to be bad feelings. You can see it, it's almost like it's Mardi Gras in Tucson - everyone is walking up and down the streets with a great attitude. I don't think I need to tell people to come with a great attitude; I think they already will be in that mindset."

Schoonover wants to make clear that although the event is special every year, it may be even more so Friday.

"If we have ever needed to have fun, it's right about now," he said. "I encourage people to come out, let loose and let go of some of the ugly feelings that have been bottled up over the last few weeks."

Schoonover recommends getting the wristband in advance because of the limited amount this year, and to get to the venues early. The music starts at 8 p.m. and runs until 1 a.m. Parking elsewhere is also recommended because of the limited spaces available near Fourth Avenue.