Last summer’s spat between some Downtown Belmont residents and area eateries over noisy outdoor music seems to have blown over, as La Taza has announced a “Night of Music” tonight (Live music is from 7:30-9 and $5 cover charge), with a DJ spinning records next door at Saxx Jazz Club until 1am. Given the fact that some Belmont residents have said they’ve already got a problem with Friday After Five shows at the Pavilion being too noisy, this might seem like a recipe for disaster.

In March, the City passed a new ordinance that limits sound levels to 75 db(A) when measured outside a restaurant after 11pm.

However, according to La Taza owner Melissa Easter, the music on La Taza’s patio tonight will be acoustic, low key and stop at 9pm. And those promoting the Saxx event say the sound outside the venue will be at an acceptable level.

“I haven’t heard anything negative since the issue last year,” says realtor and Belmont resident John Sweet. ” The Easters and Ryal Thomas [of Saxx Jazz Club] were very responsive and have made big changes to what they allow.”

Indeed, a music-infused fundraising event at La Taza last summer caused some problems, but this year the same fundraising event–to benefit Nuestros Ahijados (The God’s Child Project), an organization headed by photographer David Kalergis that assists poverty-stricken children, to be held Saturday, July 19–promises to be much more noise conscious.

“It was just recently brought to my attention that during the last event…a noise complaint was filed,” writes Kalergis in an email to the Belmont Neighborhood Association. “… this year’s fundraiser will be very toned down from last year. We plan on starting off the event around 2 pm and ending promptly at 10pm. We will have our sound levels at appropriate DB’s, and hope to keep everything within compliance of being respectful to the neighborhood.”

According to Kalergis, there will be live music, food provided by nearby Belmont BBQ, and all proceeds will be split 50-50 to aid the God’s Child Project and a environmentally friendly solar coffee farm in Guatemala. For more information about the event you can contact Kalergis at [email protected] or (434) 409 6521.