"The Kids Are Alright?"

"What is the difference with someone going to The Vogue and pre-drinking. Or before their prom? Or drinking outside Rogers Arena before a hockey game… I've been to Canucks games and there are always abusive comments and I've seen scuffles, and so, do you just shut everything off? No alcohol sold at hockey games?" ...

If the city decided to make all hockey games 19+ or if they banned all alcohol from Rogers Arena the backlash from Vancouverites would be swift and intense. Why can a 16-year-old go to a hockey game where alcohol is served in public, but can't see a band at a venue where alcohol is in a sectioned off area, or not even in the venue at all?

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"I've been involved with or been a patron of very unsafe, illegal venues, and it has made me realize that when that is the only option for underage kids to see live local music, its kind of setting them up for situations they might not be able to handle, such as drugs, drinking, and indoor smoking," says a concerned [Sarah] Cordingley. "Kids are going to find a way see bands, and if these illegal and unsafe venues are the only option, these shows will keep happening," she says.

Full article at BeatRoute.