California Authorities Charge 2 Live Crew Concert Obscene

SONOMA, Calif. — The 2 Live Crew, which battled obscenity charges years ago in the U.S. Supreme Court, has given the owners of Little Switzerland some potential trouble.

The Little Switzerland beer garden of Sonoma, Calif., hosted a concert by the controversial rappers last week and could face fines and even suspension of its alcohol license after state regulators witnessed partially nude lap dancing, simulated sex acts and explicit lyrics.

The California Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control said it had undercover agents who witnessed alleged obscenity violations at the concert.

Little Switzerland, a local beer garden that usually hosts polka bands, is owned by Antonio and Alina Garcia, who have owned it since the 1970s. Both could not be reached for comment Wednesday by XBiz.

The 2 Live Crew was not specifically targeted, according to regulators, but their show scheduled in nearby Guerneville for Nov. 20 was canceled after the Little Switzerland incident.

In 1986 2 Live Crew released its first album and a Florida record store owner was charged with obscenity for selling it to a 14-year-old girl. He was later acquitted.

In 1990 the Florida Supreme Court declared its third album, "As Nasty As They Wanna Be," legally obscene. That ruling was later overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp Signs Age Verification Bill Into Law

Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law on Tuesday a bill that includes Georgia’s version of the age verification of adult content provisions being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Aylo Asks Judge to Trim Sweeping GDP-Related Lawsuit

Aylo asked a California federal judge during a hearing on Monday to drop trafficking claims from a sweeping lawsuit brought by a former GirlsDoPorn model.

California Republicans, Democrats Team Up to Advance Age Verification for Porn

Both Republicans and Democrats in the California Assembly’s Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee voted last week to move forward a version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Washington Post Spotlights ECP VP Solomon Friedman's Appearance at XBIZ LA

The Washington Post published this weekend a lengthy feature about Pornhub and Aylo, focusing on Ethical Capital Partners’ VP of Compliance Solomon Friedman’s keynote address and other appearances at XBIZ Los Angeles in January.

'Sex Workers Deserve Protections': Congressional Candidate Joe Cohn Reaches Out to Adult Community

Veteran civil rights attorney Joe Cohn, who is currently running in a New Jersey Democratic primary for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, says he is reaching out to the adult community to champion an inclusive approach to civil liberties that encompasses all sex workers and adult businesses.

Seoul Authorities Force Cancellation of Adult Expo for 'Distorting Perceptions of Sex'

After Seoul authorities repeatedly prevented 2024 KXF The Fashion from finding a suitable venue, event organizers have canceled the popular Korean adult industry expo, which was scheduled for this week.

FSC to Hold Discussion on Adult Industry Rights With Congressional Candidate Joe Cohn

Free Speech Coalition will hold a virtual discussion with congressional candidate Joe Cohn, whom the organization calls a strong advocate for adult industry rights.

Democratic Governor Fails to Veto Kansas Age Verification Bill

Kansas’ Democratic governor, Laura Kelly, expressed strong reservations about the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists, but ultimately decided not to veto it, allowing the legislation to become law by default without her signature.

FSC's Alison Boden Testifies Against California Age Verification Bill, Urges Action to Defeat It

Free Speech Coalition Executive Director Alison Boden testified Tuesday against AB 3080, California’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Phoenix Marie Sues Aylo, Danny D Over Incident on Digital Playground Set

Phoenix Marie has filed a lawsuit against Aylo, performer/producer Danny D and other defendants, alleging she has suffered defamation and damage to her career over a 2023 incident on a Digital Playground set in Spain.

Show More