Nearly every day I mourn the loss of live music. We are seeing some bounce back in outdoor settings and for smaller audiences but I miss “my space” stage left at First Ave , stage right at the Turf Club or anyplace with dance space in another venue, at this point I even miss the tallest guy in the room standing right in front of me during the show.
But I don’t want to mourn them forever so I have written to my legislators (Senators Smith and Klobuchar and Rep Betty McCollum) to ask them to allocate money to keep venues alive while we find a way to make music happen again. You can do it too at #SaveOurStages where they make it easy to send the following message…
I write today in support of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and ask you to please support and cosponsor S. 3814/H.R. 7481, the RESTART Act, introduced by Senators Young and Bennet in the Senate and Representatives Golden and Kelly in the House, which would ensure the survival of independent venues across the nation.
The PPP and other programs do not work for venues, which are completely shuttered small businesses in need of long-term support that provides flexibility for the use of funds due to high overhead costs.
Venues are experiencing upwards of 90% revenue loss and will be closed well into 2021 due to safety concerns posed by large gatherings. Without support from Congress, 90% of NIVA’s independent venues across America say they will be forced to close their doors forever.
This would also take a toll on our local economy. Independent music venues are economic multipliers, community builders, and beloved institutions. A Chicago study estimated that $1 spent at a small venue resulted in $12 of economic activities for neighboring restaurants, hotels and retail shops. Venues drive revenue to other businesses in cities and towns across America. What would our communities look like without them?These venues closing permanently would also impact the entire music economy and ecosystem in America – artists, talent agents, stagehands, security, catering, artist managers, tour bus industry, production, radio/social media/tv/print advertising, record companies, and many others.
The closure of these venues would be devastating for music lovers. The cultural impact of our venues on our local communities is priceless. We are the steadfast incubators and launch pads for the most popular talent in the world.
We are thankful for the support of so many Senators and Representatives that are helping to #SaveOurStages, and we are asking you to support and cosponsor S. 3814/H.R. 7481, the RESTART Act. Doing so would ensure that independent venues – arguably the industry hardest hit by the pandemic – receive the financial assistance needed to be able to reopen their doors when it is safe to do so.
Thank you for your hard work for our state and our country in these absolutely uncharted times.
Mostly Minnesota 