While it is stalled in committee, the so-called Promoters Ordinance--which would place a difficult, expensive and largely unnecessary new level of bureaucracy on local concert promoters and club bookers--is far from dead; it's just a question of when it will rear its ugly head again, and in what form.

Meanwhile, a number of community activists continue to keep a watchful eye on this legislation, examining the possible ramifications and trying to mobilize the troops. One source for monitoring the situation is the Chicago Music Commission, which tries to take a moderate, level-headed, political lobbyist's approach. A far more radical (and entertaining) view comes from the underground group TheRecordIndustry.com, which has made a video documentary entitled "Chicago's Promoters Ordinance Kills Independent Music."

(Disclosure: I was among those interviewed for this film.)

On Saturday, the Chicago Art Department, 1837 S. Halsted, will present a screening of the new film starting at 7:30 p.m., followed by a Q&A panel discussion featuring Law Professor Henry H. Perritt, Jr., among others. Admission is free, and more info is available here.

If you can't make it out in person, the video also has been posted on the Web.