University Daily Kansan / Tuesday, May 1, 1990 7B U.S. immigration laws frustrating artists The Associated Press WASHINGTON — Boundaries may be opening worldwide, but some people in the entertainment industry say the U.S. border is one of their best defenses with a guitar and the ability to carry a tune. They are concerned that new visa rules will allow superstars such as Paul McCartney to pull in millions at U.S. concerts while singers who have more promise than paychecks are left trying to win over an audience of U.S. immigration officials. "There's an aversion by some people to contemporary, international music being brought into this country," said Bill Kitchen, a professor of vocalizations, a major East Coast concert promoter. The new U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service rules spell out tougher standards for temporary workers coming into the United States. Would-be visitors have to prove that U.S. workers cannot do the same job, and artists have to show they have gained recognition and made a living at their art. French Culture Minister Jack Lang complained this month that if impressionist painter Vincent van Gogh were working in the Netherlands he could not get a visa for the United States. Promoters and agents said they knew of no fledgling Beatles who been turned away at customs since the new rules took effect Feb. 26. But they said the regulations followed tighter rules during the past decade that had led to some tours being canceled at the last minute. And they fear U.S. stages may be out of reach for artists who cannot afford immigration lawyers to lead the way. "There is a concern about how the regulations could be interpreted," said Jeffrey Gabel, an immigration lawyer in New York who has written about the new rules for immigrants. Categories of immigrants The big change is in the two categories of visas the United States gives to enter the country for temporary employment. In the past, most artists were given H-1 visas. They were handed out without much question to film directors, singers and groups. The new regulations make clear that the H-1 is for aliens of distinguished merit and ability and sustained achievement. One-hit wonders are not favored, but the winner of an Academy Award or Nobel Prize, the INS suggests, should have no trouble getting an H-1. Other aliens are directed to the H-2, which requires an application first to the Labor Department and then to the INS. That process can take from two to six months, but entertainers who may not be able to set tour plans more than a few weeks ahead of time. "We're not getting into judging what they do," Rick Kenney, an ANS spokesman, said in an interview. "They would have to show that they know what's a service that's good for the United States." It should not hinder the Royal Danish Ballet from touring, but the Philadelphia Orchestra might have to answer a lot of requests to hire a third violinist from Great Britann. "We just make judgments of who is and who is not just a regular worker," said Kenney. Kitchen, the promoter, said that 'even before the new rules, British folk rocker John Wesley Harding's performance at a Washington club consisted only of an explanation to the crowd that he did not have a visa to perform. And he said a French rock group, "Ningara," canceled one date and got to play another only after France's cultural attach and Sen. John Warmer, R.Va., interceded with the officials who were unhappy pressed with the groups' French clipsions and videos. "I have yet to hear an explanation of why a band shouldn't be brought over," said Seth Hurwitz, owner of Washington's 9:30 Club, a small venue for international acts on the rise. "This takes business away from American businessmen like me, and it deprives the American public the chance to see someone they want to see." said Hurwitz. The INS says the new rules mean promoters are going to have to be better prepared — no more booking garage bands from Liverpool day to play in New York on Wednesday. "Unfortunately, this is a big change for everybody," said Kenny. "It's going to be a change in practice for a lot of people, and it will probably get used to it and stop taking it personally." "You have to be aware that it's going to take more information and you're going to have to file longer in advance," said Joel Schoenberg. "It has the National Talent Group in New York. As for Lang's comment on Dutch-born van Gogh, who sold only one painting before he died in 1890, Kenney said the French official was exaggerating. Making a connection brings success to children's author The Associated Press IONIA, Mo. -- For author Vivie Glocke, the big thing in writing is sharing her thoughts with someone else, or as she puts it, making a connection. The book won the Putnam Award in 1987 for an outstanding first novel written for 8 to 12-year-old children. It was nominated for the New York Book Award and the Mark Twain Award in February. She has been connecting with young readers across the country since her first children's book, "Good-bye, My Wishing Star," was published in hardcover by G.B. Putnam's Sons and in paperback by the Scholastic and Weekly Book读书 clubs. The story, told by a 12-year old girl, is about a family losing its farm. Grove, 4; wrote it not only to address the farm crisis, but to say farewell to her grandmother, whose death had left her unable to write in her usual upbeat style. "It was a sad book, with humor in it, but it was a sad story," she said. "I wanted the story to be told right. I had seen too many times when the farmer's fat was pulled out of the fire at the last minute, and it isn't always like that." Although she has been writing professionally for 7/4 years, Grove still finds hard to believe her first children's book received such critical acclaim. "I broke into book publishing accidentally by winning a contest," she said. "My biggest fear is that Putnam will drop me. He just been fooling them all this time." writing for children "I think 12 is the best age in anyone's life. I write from the first person and the narrator is always a 12-year-old," said Grove, who graduated with a master's degree in English from Central Missouri State University at Warrensburg. "The Fastest Friend in the West," which will be released in May, is her favorite. “It’s about a family living in the back of a station wagon because of economic conditions,” she said. “Kids like that change schools on the average of two weeks. My protagonist is a 12-year-old girl named Alexandra. She lives in a card because she does not have an address. She tries to make one fast friend at every school. Somehow in the past year, Grove has also found time to write two "What Would You Do?" books for Group Publishers. "These are for a broad age range, 14 to 25," she said. "They're ethical decision books about sex and dating and friendship." Grove has also written one adult romance and more than 240 magazine articles, but she prefers writing juvenile fiction. "You can write about anything," she said. "You don't really restrict vocabulary or ideas, and you are writing for an audience where imagination and enthusiasm are very high. You don't have to fill it full of sex to sell." YOU DON'T NEED A COUPON! 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