Tag: Save Our Stages

The new Stimulus Deal Includes $15 billion for Live Venues, Independent Movie Theaters and Cultural Institutions

The new stimulus deal approved by Congress will include $15 billion of aid for live venues, independent movie theaters and cultural institutions. The entire stimulus bill will include $900 billion in aid in its entirety including expanded coverage to the self employed, “gig” workers and others in nontraditional situations applying for unemployment. The Senate voted on December 21, 2020 and passed the stimulus bill as well. The stimulus deal will now just have to be sent to the President before finally officially passing.

The State Theater of Ithaca lit up in red during the “Red Alert” demonstration in support of Save Our Stages.

The stimulus bill has been in the works for a long time with the last aid package for American citizens and businesses being passed back in March. The CARES Act was a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill passed by the 116th U.S. Congress and signed into law by the President on March 27, 2020 and served as a stimulus package. Since then there has been very little aid and with the end of the year quickly approaching this deal could serve as the much needed aid people and businesses need during these trying times.

The $15 billion in the deal being allocated for live venues, independent movie theaters and cultural institutions will make a huge impact on the entertainment industry. One of the big pushes behind this aid came from the Save Our Stages campaign and act put forward by the Nation Independent Venue Association. NIVA represents more than 3,000 independent venues and promoters in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The Save Our Stages became a bill and was cosponsored in the Senate by Amy Klobuchar (D-Mn.) and John Cornyn (R-Tx.).

The Town Ballroom located in Buffalo, NY posted on their Facebook page about Congress passing the stimulus bill saying, “HEY! We did it!! THANK YOU to everyone that wrote to congress and supported NIVA – National Independent Venue Association in trying to land the Save Our Stages act in the COVID-19 Relief Bill. Because of all your help, we were able to ensure that Venues and Employees will be supported through this economic crisis.Thank you to Senator Chuck Schumer Rep. Brian Higgins Kristin Gillibrand for pushing this through. Thank you to everyone that has stayed patient with us these past very very long months. We will be back. Stay tuned!”

The Palace Theatre in Albany NY, displaying support for Save Our Stages.

Dayna Frank, Owner & CEO of First Avenue Productions and Board President of NIVA spoke on the new stimulus deal saying, “We’re thrilled that Congress has heard the call of shuttered independent venues across the country and provided us a crucial lifeline by including the Save Our Stages Act in the COVID-19 Relief Bill. We’re also incredibly grateful that this bill provides Pandemic Unemployment Assistance which will help the millions of people who lost their jobs through no fault of their own during this economic crisis. We urge swift passage of this legislation, which will assist those in the greatest need and ensure the music lives on for generations to come,” in a press release shared by NIVA.

The Capital Theatre located in Port Chester, NY chimed in on their Facebook page sharing the Forbes article on Congress passing the stimulus bill saying, “Congrats NIVA – National Independent Venue Association on this massive accomplishment! Congress has finally agreed on a new COVID-19 relief bill that includes $15 billion in funding for independent theaters and concert venues that have been shuttered due to the pandemic. Extraordinary team effort by everyone involved. #SaveOurStages”

According to Variety’s article there are several statistics which NIVA has put forward that show that 90% of the country’s independent venues will close within weeks without federal aid. It also states that musicians on average derive between 70% and 90% of their income from live performance which has been virtually nonexistent and impossible since mid-March apart from live-stream performances.

The Apollo Theater in Manhattan NY.

They also shed light on the fact that economic activity, particularly in small towns, is connected to concert venues as shown according to a Chicago study. Every dollar spent at a venue generates $12 in revenue for surrounding or connected businesses like restaurants for instance where people go out to eat before or after a show or stay the night in a local hotel.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer released a statement of the aid package saying, “I’m especially pleased this this bill will provide money for bars and restaurants, and $15 billion in SPA grants for theater operators and small venue operators through the Save Our Stages Act. These venues are so important to my state and so many other states across the country. They are the lifeblood of our communities. They were the first to close and will be the last to open. This bill gives them a fighting chance.”

The Times Union Center in Albany, NY.

One of the other interesting parts of this stimulus package is in the expanded coverage to the self employed, “gig” workers and others in nontraditional situations applying for unemployment which will now allow musicians and independent managers, promotors, sound technicians, and etcetera in particular to apply for unemployment. There will also be an additional $300 per week for some unemployment recipients.

For more information on What’s Included In The $900 Billion Stimulus Deal read the HuffPost article.

December 22, 2020
Non-for-Profit Venues in Upstate New York Call for Aid With #lightsUPstateNY Initiative

Non-for-profit venues across upstate New York call for aid from Governor Cuomo and their state elected leaders during the COVID-19 crisis. They are calling for aid through their #lightsUPstateNY initiative, trying to bring light to the hardships these performing arts centers are facing.

Bardavon interior photo by Tim Lee.

According to Chris Silva, Executive Director at
Bardavon 1869 Opera House, the new protocols, requirements and re-staffing caused by COVID-19 will require not only time and capital, but every month these closures continue the costs of these eleven venues add up to a collective $1,500,000 dollars, with no significant revenue to offset it. This is a huge amount of money to these smaller local economies. These venues hope to bring light to the reality of their dim situation, as many venues across the United States are pledged with Save Our Stages campaign.

The venues involved call for aid with the #lightsUPstateNY initiative are: The Bardavon in Poughkeepsie, UPAC in Kingston, Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, RBTL’s Auditorium Theatre in Rochester, Smith Center for the Arts in Geneva, Landmark Theatre in Syracuse, Stanley Theatre in Utica, Proctors Collaborative in Schenectady, Palace Theatre in Albany, State Theatre in Ithaca, and the Clemens Center in Elmira.

These venues estimate the cost to reopen themselves, if a spring 2021 opening is possible, will be at least 15 million dollars – more if the “pause” caused by COVID-19 continues. As a group they bring over 250 million of collective, local economic impact to Upstate each year, which has come to an abrupt halt.

Silva explained the reasoning behind the union of #lightsUPstateNY initiative saying, “The large theatres of Upstate so often share similar realities. As we think about our restarts sometime in 2021, we decided to come together to speak with one voice about our needs and challenges as we get back to being at the heart of our cities and communities.”

All of the venues involved operate as 501(c)3 non-profit organizations – committed to serving their communities – and have worked together to create a network across Upstate for bands and theatrical performances to take place. They do this by offering a variety of live entertainment for all audiences, including concerts, comedy, dramatic and family events, as well as offer a mixed-use space for local performing groups, graduations, recitals and other presentations.

The hope of #lightsUPstateNY is to bring awareness to the dire need these venues are experiencing, while also calling on Governor Cuomo and their state elected leaders for aid.

December 9, 2020
moe. to ‘Play for The Palace’ on December 11

moe. will perform once again from the lobby of The Palace Theatre, this time to benefit the historic and beloved Albany venue.

photo by Frankie Cavone

moe. shared on their Facebook page:

We set up in the lobby of one of our favorite venues, the Palace Theatre in Albany, NY, during rehearsals for our Fall Drive-in Tour and recorded the whole thing. Along with our playthrough of Not Normal, we recorded a full 2 set show that will premiere on December 11.

With venues across New York State being severely impacted by closures related to COVID-19, the need for assistance for these businesses to continue to remain open is greater than ever.

Join moe. on Friday, December 11 at 8:30PM for a special performance to benefit the Palace Theatre. Pick up Broadcast tickets and poster bundles here – a portion of every ticket and ticket bundle sold will be donated to the Palace Theatre.

photo by Frankie Cavone

The Palace has been Albany’s iconic downtown landmark for more than 80 years, bringing the biggest names in entertainment to the Capital Region. The history and programming of the Palace is a unique and often untold story with roots dating back to the period of the Great Depression.

The Palace Theatre was built in 1931 and originally presented vaudeville acts, feature films and later became a civic auditorium before closing its doors in 1969. The theatre maintains its original beauty and design and is a historical landmark in the City of Albany.

The Palace Performing Arts Center was established in 1984 and incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1989, created to operate the Palace Theatre. The Palace brings world-class arts and entertainment to New York’s Capital Region, greatly enhancing the area’s cultural and economic development.

Read more of NYS Music’s past coverage of shows at The Palace Theatre, and tune in for moe. on December 11.

November 27, 2020
Small Music Venues Get Relief from Nonprofit Live Music Society
After months of being shut down and struggling to make ends meet, small business music venues will, finally, get the help they’ve been asking for. Live Music Society, a new nonprofit organization, announced their launch of relief efforts for the industry.

Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, NY.

The Society’s first phase is getting monetary grants to 20 small venues around the country. For the first two years of their operation, they promise to give $2 million in grant money to the live music industry.

The Society’s relief program has a broader approach to ensure small venues will get their aid. The Live Music Society Grants will supply philanthropic aid to music venues that have been in operation for three years or more with a sellable capacity of 250 occupants or less, with maximum one-year individual grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000.

Across 14 states, the Society’s first grant recipients are known for their community engagement. Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs is a quaint venue, with a mere 110 seats. This compact concert hall hosted an array of artists throughout the years, most notably, Bob Dylan. Other venues in New York State receiving grants are The Bowery Electric in Manhattan and Levon Helm Studios in Woodstock.

Music is magic. It has tremendous power to connect people and create energy. There are small venues around the country that create soul-filling experiences for their audiences, staff, and for the local and touring musicians that play there. These clubs are a precious and important part of our nation’s music ecosystem, and our goal is to help them continue to be excellent at what they do.
Founder and Board Chairman of Live Music Society Pete Muller

Muller is a singer-songwriter and a champion of music education. He helped in the saving of New York’s Power House Studios along with Berkley College of Music in Boston and the NYC Mayor’s Office of media and entertainment.

As the pandemic soared around the world, live music was put to an abrupt halt, leaving thousands of industry workers jobless.

The National Independent Venue Association pushed hard for economic relief. They were able to get Congress to pass the Save Our Stages Act, which allowed the Small Business Association to give grants and loans to venues, but it only extends to December of this year and there are limitations.

During such trying times, the society’s hope is to keep struggling venues from closing their doors.

Our original goal was to support a small network of like-minded clubs around the country that could share best practices and learn from each other. But then the pandemic hit, and now we are simply trying to help these clubs stay afloat until they can open their doors again.
Executive Director Joyce Lim

Live Music Society will open the next round of applications for the 2021 cycle starting in early January. The criteria for application include:
- Venues with sellable capacity of 250 seats or less
- Venues that have been in operation for 3 years or more
- Venues that are committed to live music as its primary activity
Here are the recipients for the first phase:

LIVE MUSIC SOCIETY GRANT RECIPIENTS

(OCTOBER 2020)

The Hotel Café (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Dazzle Denver (Denver, Colo.)

Hi-Dive (Denver, Colo.)

SPACE (Evanston, Ill.)

The Jazz Showcase (Chicago, Ill.)

Club Passim (Cambridge, Mass.)

Jonathan’s Ogunquit (Ogunquit, Maine)

Seven Steps Up (Spring Lake, Mich.)

The Word Barn (Exeter, N.H.)

The Bowery Electric (New York, N.Y.)

Caffé Lena (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.)

Levon Helm Studios, Inc. (Woodstock, N.Y.)

BOP STOP @ The Music Settlement (Cleveland, Ohio)

Mercury Lounge (Tulsa, Okla.)

The Kennett Flash (Kennett Square, Pa.)

Club Café (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

McGonigel’s Mucky Duck (Houston, Texas)

Jammin Java (Vienna, Va.)

Barboza (Seattle, Wash.)

The Royal Room (Seattle, Wash.)
October 30, 2020
NYIVA Releases Data on the Dire State of Independent Live Venues in New York

NYIVA, also known as the New York Independent Venue Association, released data on the dire state of independent live venues throughout New York due to COVID-19. The information was released on October 25, 2020 and includes how many respondents, the amount of months before business will be forced to close permanently, the monthly relief needed, and the amount of debt accrued by them already.

The information is based on responses from NYIVA’s members comprising a majority of the music and comedy venues within the state. Currently, independent venues across New York State have accrued and estimated $105 million in debt at a rate of $15 million per month. Of the 68 respondents (representing approximately 1/3 of the industry), more than half have stated they will close for good within the next 90 days, even with the state’s eviction moratorium in place due to the pandemic.

Three of the 68 respondents say they will be forced to close in less than a month. One says they will be forced to close in a month. 18 say they will be forced to close within two months. 15 will be forced to close within three months. Six will be forced to close within four months. The respondents would need $5,155,015 monthly to stay afloat. They are currently in $20,073,835 of debt due to the pandemic.

NYIVA’s co-chair Jen Lyon explains the difficulties businesses will having trying to come back with the amount of debt they have accrued saying, “Paying this back, even without interest, will eat into most if not all of our members’ businesses profits for the next five years — and that’s if they aren’t forced by the weight of their debt to fold before that. New York stands on the precipice of losing the critical cultural and economic institutions that make up our vibrant live performance communities as well as significant tourism revenue for the state. This is not sustainable. We need help now.”

New York state has received $5 billion in Coronavirus Relief Funds (CRF) from March 30 till now. Currently New York independent venues are looking for a mere 1.5% ($75 million) of the state CRF allocation to save New York’s music and comedy clubs in order to stay afloat until a national aid package is passed. Independent venues haven’t received nearly as much aid as they need to stay afloat. Hopefully the CARES act with the addition of Save Our Stages will be passed soon and help protect independent venues from shutting down.

For more information on the survey details visit NYIVA’s website.

October 28, 2020
Independent Venue Week Launches Weeklong Fundraiser for NIVA Emergency Relief Fund

The Independent Venue Week announces their weeklong fundraiser benefiting the The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) Emergency Relief Fund. The auction will be taking place between October 24 – 30, 2020. It will host memorabilia for auction to the general public and the revenue will help assist independent venues and promoters.

The NIVA Emergency Relief Fund is raising money for the most vulnerable venues to try to keep them afloat while waiting on Congress to pass Save Our Stages. The fund will be administered to these affected venues by The Giving Back Fund; a separate non-profit that will collect the money and oversee the application process for venues to receive grants from the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund. People can directly donate to the fund here.

People will have the chance to bid on one of 70+ pieces of music history throughout the week in an effort to #SaveOurStages for the years of history to come. Items up for auction include everything from two original paintings from Independent Venue Week Artist Ambassador, Alison Mosshart (The Kills/The Dead Weather), a pair of seats from the original Merriweather Pavilion, Al Bouchard’s (Blue Oyster Cult) very own Fender Jaguar Bass, signed by the rock legend himself, a limited edition vinyl box set from Blue Note Records, curated by the legendary jazz label’s president, Don Was, a stunning Epiphone “White Lightning” Explorer signed by Tommy “Spaceman” Thayer (KISS), courtesy from the Gibson Foundation, and much more.

Merriweather Post Pavilion Original Seats. Photo provided by press release.

The auctioned items and programming will be held and by some of the country’s most treasured live venues. There are over 140 participating venues. Independent Venue Week is partnering Eventbrite, Big Room, Ascend Insurance Brokerage, and School of Rock to bring the auction to life.

Brand new Epiphone “White Lightning” Explorer signed by Tommy “Spaceman” Thayer from KISS. Photo provided by press release.

The Independent Venue Week is also introducing a series of discussion panels featuring professionals from all aspects of the live music industry to discuss their experiences, expertise, and the future of live events. The topics will include what venues can do to help build and diversify their audience, how live events are adapting to a virtual world, and the importance these stages have to the economy and community. October 29 will involve an entire day for students to “Get Schooled” and will feature programming that is aimed towards students getting their start in the live music and events industry.

The full list of items and week’s programming can be found at Independent Venue Week’s website .

October 24, 2020
U.S. Senate Introduces New Bill to Give Music Venues Economic Relief

On Oct. 20, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley co-sponsored a brand new inclusive package that, if approved by the House and Senate, will provide more that $370 billion to small businesses and music venues in Oregon and nationwide that were most affected by the pandemic.

Live concert pre-pandemic

The Heros Small Business Lifeline Act is an off shoot of the Paycheck Protection Plan, which gave small businesses loan forgiveness and grants at the start of the pandemic. Heros 2.0 essentially would extend those programs and give more help to those businesses in need.

This legislation would provide an urgently needed lifeline for thousands of small businesses struggling to keep their doors open and to employ Oregonians who want very much to earn a paycheck.
Senator Ron Wyden

For the National Independent Venue Association, this bill needs to be passed so that venues can get the relief they need since they were of the businesses that were hit the hardest.

Last month, the House passed the Save Our Stages Act. This was a huge accomplishment for NIVA in that the SOS authorizes the Small Business Administration to makes grants eligible to live venue operations and other music industry workers. They now need to go a few steps further in the Senate in order for music venues to keep their doors open.

This is urgent. Our members cannot wait any longer for emergency relief. Once independent venues go under, they do not come back. We respectfully implore our elected officials to come together and Save Our Stages.
NIVA

As of today, 95% of music industry workers have been furloughed and are still not operating. NIVA urges Congress to move forward with HEROS 2.0.

October 23, 2020
YouTube Music and NIVA Announce #SOSFEST set for October 16-18

YouTube Music and National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) will collaborate to host the three-day virtual #SOSFEST from Oct 16. to Oct.18. The goal of the festival is to help save independent venues from the economic repercussions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Viewers can watch the #SOSFEST on NIVA’s Official YouTube Channel.

#SOSFEST, hosted by Reggie Watts, will feature live recorded performances from 35 artists at more than 25 independent venues across the U.S. The performance venues include Apollo Theater, Exit/IN, First Avenue, Ryman Auditorium, Troubadour, Tipitina’s, World Cafe Live, and more. The collaborative efforts of YouTube, NIVA, and the performing artists at #SOSFEST look to achieve the goal of raising nationwide funds to provide relief to independent music members during the livestream. NIVA has been a strong supporter of the “Save Our Stages” initiative, which advocates for passing the Heroes Act that would provide financial support to independent venues and their unemployed workers.

The list of performers at the #SOSFEST includes Brittany Howard, Foo Fighters, Dave Matthews, Dillon Francis, The Roots, Marshmello & Demi Lovato, Kelsea Ballerini, Miley Cyrus, Monica, Reba Mcentire, Sebastia̕n Yatra, YG and many more.

Fans can donate to the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund on NIVA’s Official YouTube Channel, to help benefit independent venues. #SOSFEST looks to continue NIVA’s mission of preserving the ecosystem of independent venues with the help of original performances from diverse artists across a variety of music genres.

During this shutdown, all the uncertainties we have and are experiencing have been very unnerving and have caused a high level of despair. That is why we are so happy and beyond grateful to all the fans and music community for banding together to help and to show their support and love to all the independent venues across the country. This is our light and hope in our time of darkness.
Christine Karayan, Owner of Troubadour in Los Angeles

Alec Benjamin will kick off #SOSFEST on Friday, October 16 at 5PM PT / 8PM ET with a performance recorded live from Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles. Dillon Francis, Major Lazer and The Lumineers will take the stage for the final performances of the evening on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday respectively.

#SOSFest Full Line-up And Schedule

FRIDAY, October 16th
5 PM PT / 8 PM ET – Alec Benjamin, Hotel Cafe
5:30 PM PT / 8:30 PM ET – FINNEAS, Teragram Ballroom
6 PM PT / 9 PM ET – Sebastián Yatra, Broward Center
6:40 PM PT / 9:40 PM ET – Dizzy Fae, First Avenue
7:10 PM PT / 10:10 PM ET – Macklemore, Neumos
7:50 PM PT / 10:50 PM ET – YG, Troubadour
8:15 PM PT / 11:15 PM ET – G-Eazy, The Independent
8:45 PM PT / 11:45 PM ET – Marshmello + Demi Lovato, Troubadour
8:55 PM PT / 11:55 PM ET – Dillion Francis, Teragram Ballroom

SATURDAY, October 17th
1 PM PT / 4 PM ET – Jason Mraz, Belly Up Tavern
1:40 PM PT / 4:40 PM ET – Adam Melchor, Hotel Cafe
2:10 PM PT / 5:10 PM ET – Kelsea Ballerini, Exit/In
2:40 PM PT / 5:40 PM ET – JP Saxe, Troubadour
3:15 PM PT / 6:15 PM ET – Cautious Clay, World Cafe Live
3:55 PM PT / 6:55 PM ET – Bea Miller, Teragram Ballroom
4;35 PM PT / 7:35 PM ET – Gus Dapperton, (Le) Poisson Rouge
5:15 PM PT / 8:15 PM ET – Phoebe Bridgers, Troubadour
6:00 PM PT / 9 PM ET – Rise Against, Metro
6:25 PM PT / 9:25 PM ET – Brittany Howard, Ryman Auditorium
6:55 PM PT / 9:55 PM ET – Leon Bridges, Troubadour
7:15 PM PT / 10:15 PM ET – Miley Cyrus, Whisky a Go-Go
7:35 PM PT / 10:35 PM ET – Foo Fighters, Troubadour
8:10 PM PT / 11:10 PM ET – The Roots, Apollo
9:20 PM PT / 12:20 AM ET – Portugal. The Man, Crystal Ballroom
10:10 PM PT / 1:10 AM ET – Major Lazer, Gramps

SUNDAY, October 18th
2 PM PT / 5 PM ET – Little Big Town, Exit/in
2:35 PM PT / 5:35 PM ET – Brothers Osborne, Mercy Lounge
3:05 PM PT / 6:05 PM ET – Dave Matthews, Jefferson Theater
3:40 PM PT / 6:40 PM ET – Monica, Center Stage
3:55 PM PT / 6:55 PM ET – Black Pumas, The Parish
4:10 PM PT / 7:10 PM ET – Nathaniel Rateliff, Boulder Theater
4:50 PM PT / 7:50 PM ET – Reba McEntire, Ryman Auditorium
5:30 PM PT / 8:30 PM ET – The Revivalists, Tipitina’s
6:05 PM PT / 9:05 PM ET – The Lumineers, Boulder Theater

October 12, 2020
The ‘Heroes Act’ Passes in the House of Representatives

The ‘Heroes Act’ passes in the House of Representatives on October 1, 2020 including the Save Our Stages revisions which were added on September 28, 2020. The $2.2 trillion coronavirus stimulus aid package will include $10 Billion set aside for independent music and live-entertainment venues.

The relief bill passed in the largely Democratically – controlled House of Representatives with votes 214 to 207. The votes were split largely along party lines. Unfortunately the bill still needs to be passed in the Senate which is notoriously slow in passing bills and is largely controlled by Republicans.

The State Theater of Ithaca lit up in red during the “Red Alert” demonstration in support of Save Our Stages.

The addition to the ‘Heroes Act‘ including Save Our Stages revisions will make a huge impact on the live entertainment industry that’s suffering horribly due to the coronavirus Pandemic. According to the Variety article, “A poll taken by the 2,600-member National Independent Venues Association, some 90% of its members said they will be forced to close permanently without federal assistance.”

According to section 619 of the ‘Heroes Act,’ “Grants for Independent Live Venue Operators (H.R. 7806, Save our Stages Act or the SOS Act) 37 1. Authorizes $10 Billion for the SBA to make grants to eligible live venue operators, producers, promoters, or talent representatives to address the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on certain live venues. 2. The SBA may make an initial grant of up to $12 million dollars to an eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative; and a supplemental grant that is equal to 50% of the initial grant. 3. Such grants shall be used for specified expenses such as payroll costs, rent, utilities, and personal protective equipment.” Basically this is saying that independent venues, producers, promoters and talent representatives can use the funds to cover things like rent, mortgages, utilities, insurance and other expenses that these businesses are in during the ongoing pandemic.

One factor that may hold up the passage of the ‘Heroes Act’ relates to the recent outbreak of COVID-19 among Senators and the President. Three Senators – Thom Tillis (R-NC), Mike Lee (R-UT) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) – all tested positive and are quarantining. Thus, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has postponed all floor activity until October 19, thus prolonging the time it will take to debate and vote on the ‘Heroes Act’ by two weeks.

For more information on the ‘Heroes Act’ read the one page summary here.

October 4, 2020
Save Our Stages Act Added to the Heroes Act in the House of Representatives Relief Bill

The Save Our Stages Act was added to the House of Representatives-revised relief bill on September 28, 2020. The addition of the Save Our Stages will make it so the Heroes Act will allocate ten billion dollars for independent venues impacted by Coronavirus.

The ten billion dollars that would go to independent venues, producers, promoters and talent representatives will be able to be used to cover things like rent, mortgages, utilities, insurance and other expenses that these businesses are in during the ongoing pandemic. The hope is that these grants will help keep the entertainment industry afloat during these unprecedented times if the Heroes Act is passed.

If the Heroes Act gets passed and signed into law it will include another round of stimulus checks to American families, as well as a second round of Paycheck Protection Program loans for businesses particularly impacted like the restaurant and live entertainment industries. The 2,500-page bill will would be a lump sum of $2.2 trillion in grants

According to the Rolling Stone article on the addition of the Save Our Stages to the relief bill most venues weren’t able to “take advantage of the Paycheck Protection Program loans for small businesses contained in the CARES Act that passed in March.” The main issue with the CARES Act for venues in particular is that the main thing it provided was loan forgiveness if businesses spent 75% of said loan on their payroll. Unfortunately, these venues were/are mostly closed down due to regulations on live entertainment during the pandemic and therefore have few to no employees which makes payroll loan forgiveness unhelpful unfortunately.

The original Save Our Stages Act was introduced to the Senate by John Cornyn and Amy Klobuchar. Save Our Stages gained a significant amount of public support as well as support in both the House and the Senate.

For more information on the updated Heroes Act read the one page summary here.

September 30, 2020

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