Stabbing, gun-shots raise pressure on Club Majestic

By day, the Majestic Theater, 115 King St., is a renovated old-time movie house. But by night, the building becomes Club Majestic, and the fights that have spilled out of its doors have Madison police on alert. The club has been in hot water since late 2005, when a series of bar-time fights erupted outside its doors on King Street. Problems subsided in the winter, but emerged again last spring, when a fresh set of brawls led to new demands for police action. Club Majestic owners Nick and Jim Schiavo have dismissed music as a cause of the violence and Madison Central District Police Captain Mary Schauf said claims that hip-hop is to blame are ""grossly oversimplified."" However, fights have been worst when the club is dedicated to hip-hop. Club Majestic is not the first downtown bar to come under fire as a result of its hip-hop nights. Kimia Lounge, 14 W. Mifflin St., met sharp criticism when owner Kami Eshraghi attempted to expand the club's capacity in early 2006. Eshraghi, who was never allowed to expand his club, maintained that racism was at the heart of neighborhood objections. But Schauf said race is a side issue when weapons are drawn and fights turn potentially deadly. Police presence must increase to confront recent violence outside Club Majestic, she said. Ironically, a particularly violent weekend in early August that featured a stabbing and several gunshots outside the club freed up some much needed funding for the police. Schauf said doubling the number of central district police officers at bar time—from nine to 18—and focusing a surveillance camera on the club's entrance are helpful measures, but stressed that they are ""short term interventions."" She said limiting the number of bars downtown and pushing bar owners to better manage their crowds will prove more useful. ""It's not unusual to have a problem,"" Schauf said. ""But if you can manage a business, you can manage to prevent problems."" Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, a member of the Alcohol License Review Committee, said Club Majestic's liquor license could be in jeopardy if violence continues. Meanwhile, nearby bars have reported a drop in customers in the aftermath of the Majestic stabbing. Natasha Bachman is a manager at Opus Lounge, 114 King St. She said King Street has been on edge for much of the summer. ""We've had regulars come in and tell us that they're now afraid to come to the Opus on weekends,"" Bachman said. ""They don't want to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.""