NYS Music 202​1

Tag: Governor Andrew Cuomo

  • Virtually all Restrictions on Businesses and Social Gatherings Lifted Throughout NY

    Governor Andrew Cuomo lifted virtually all restrictions on businesses and social gatherings across New York State on Tuesday, June 15. The lifting of restrictions on businesses and social gatherings will make a huge impact for the music industry as it comes back to life. 

    In New York State, 70 percent of adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine already, which is a huge turn of events from New York being one of the worst impacted states at the beginning of the pandemic. Throughout the course of the pandemic, the death toll in New York has reached nearly 53,000 which is one of the highest in the country.

    Governor Andrew Cuomo spoke on the lifting of restrictions at the World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan saying, “This is a momentous day and we deserve it because it has been a long, long road,” and added that the changes meant a “return to life as we know it.”

    This lifted restrictions means that restaurants will no longer be forced to space tables six feet apart; movie theaters will be allowed to pack their auditoriums without spacing seats apart; and entering commercial buildings won’t require a temperature check. .

    lifted restrictions
    Empire State Plaza on June 15, 2021 – photo by Pete Mason

    There are some restrictions that will stay in place for the time being though. New York will still abide by mask guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has advised that unvaccinated people should wear masks indoors and maintain social distancing. There will also be some stricter restrictions remaining in certain environments like health care facilities, schools, public transit and homeless shelters.

    Some decisions will be up to the individual proprietor like the decision to end many of the precautions, such as allowing vaccinated customers to walk around without masks. Some businesses may decide to keep these types of precautions in place in order to allow their clientele and employees to feel safer until more people are vaccinated in their individual counties. 

    With these restrictions being lifted bars, venues, and live entertainment businesses will be able to open at full capacity throughout New York and bring live music back stronger, bigger, and better then before. 

    For more information on the lifted restrictions visit Governor Andrew Cuomo’s website.

  • Cuomo Annexes Vermont

    In a move sending shockwaves through the Empire State, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has annexed the entire state of Vermont. The move makes Vermont’s maple syrup industry, ski towns, and the entirety of Lake Champlain, all a part of New York. 

    cuomo vermont
    A map showing the borders of New York with the addition of Vermont. Source: Gov. Andrew Cuomo

    Despite the recent accusations and calls to step down, the Governor seems emboldened, ordering National Guard Troops to stand back and stand by, hinting that more than the Green Mountain State may become part of New York.

    Cuomo said in a brief statement on the takeover of Vermont, “I just felt that we needed to get All the great music scenes together, and since New York has so many, we should add in Burlington. So All the great music scenes are here now. Then I thought we have great skiing, so let’s get All the great skiing in the Northeast here in New York. So now we have All the best ski areas here. 

    Vermonters can deal with it. Go enjoy your Twiddling or whatever it is you do there. Welcome to New York.”

    Governor Cuomo, arriving to see Twiddle in their new homestate of New York

    With this statement, the Governor continues to give no indication he will resign, despite numerous allegations of bullying, sexual harassment and unwanted touching. See the whole list of accusers here.

  • New Excelsior Pass in Pilot Stage to Reopen Music Venues and Large Events

    On March 3, Govenor Cuomo announced a pilot program to test the Excelsior Pass to begin opening up businesses, starting with Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center. This follows the recent announcement of “NY Pops Up” featuring over 300 free live performances.

    Excelsior Pass
    Aeriel view of Madison Square Garden

    At the Governor’s 2021 State of the State Address, Cuomo declared the Excelsior Pass will use proven technology to confirm an individual’s vaccination or negative test results for COVID-19. Through confidential data transfer, the Governor is hoping this will help quicken the pace in reopening theaters, stadiums and more in accordance with New York State guidelines. Ticketmaster proposed a similar plan in November.

    The state tested the first pilot on Feb. 27 for the Brooklyn Nets game at Barclays Center and the second one on March 2 at a Rangers game at Madison Square Garden. The pass is like an airline boarding pass where the attendee has an app called the “wallet app.” There, they can either print it out or have admissions scan the QR code within the app.

    We’re doing everything we can to vaccinate as many New Yorkers as possible, as quickly as possible, while keeping the infection rate down and reenergizing our economy in a safe, smart way.

    Governor Cuomo

    The Governor also explained that the Excelsior Pass will get information to venues and establishments quick enough to avoid an outbreak and get more businesses to open their doors.

    Since the pandemic shut down the nation a year ago this month, many venues and restaurants have struggled to stay afloat. Although a lot of businesses qualified for the Paycheck Protection Loan and were able to maintain stability, others did not. Now that more New Yorkers are getting vaccinated and COVID-19 cases are decreasing, this is a chance to get those struggling businesses back on their feet.

    That app has been tested right now, both at Barclays and Madison Square Garden, and those tests have been successful. So, once we get the approvals, the app will be available for download on both platforms, on Google, on Apple platforms; people download to their smartphones. And that will allow someone to show the result of their test, whether it be a PCR test, which (will be) valid for up to 72 hours, or rapid test, which will be valid for six hours. In addition, though, if you don’t want to use an app, you will be able to download a paper result of your test that you can then print out and use that to demonstrate your negative test.

    Rob Mujica, New York State Budget Director

    The news on the Excelsior Pass was followed up by an announcement that beginning on Friday, April 2, event, arts and entertainment venues can reopen at 33% capacity, with up to 100 people indoors and up to 200 people outdoors. All attendees must present proof of negative test prior to entry, which can lead to a capacity increase of up to 150 people indoors and up to 500 people outdoors.

    Social distancing and face coverings will be required by all attendees, as well as strict adherence to all applicable Department of Health guidance.

    Excelsior Pass

    Additionally, Cuomo announced that beginning March 22, residential gatherings of up to 25 people can be held outdoors. Indoor residential gatherings remain capped at 10 people to reduce the continued risk of spread. Also, non-residential social gatherings of up to 100 people can occur indoors and up to 200 people can occur outdoors.

    Cuomo isn’t the only one who’s optimistic about returning the music industry to somewhat of a normal state. Live Nation’s CEO Michael Rapino believes outdoor events will be able to achieve an audience capacity of 75 or even 100 percent across the nation.

    “We might have certain states that might not be ready, but we have enough states and enough artists willing to play the open slots if we get to that level in the right markets,” Rapino said.

    For individuals wishing to use the Excelsior Pass, their information will be completely confidential and protect any personal health information. They will have a variety of passes to choose from for their own comfortability.

  • Madison Square Garden May be Opening for Live Audiences Sooner than You Think

    Madison Square Garden may be opening for live audiences sooner than one might think, according to President Andy Lustgarten. Their first in-person event will take place on February 23, 2021 for the Knicks game. 

    Madison Square Garden

    Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that arenas could open up to 10 percent capacity on February 10, 2021 using a testing- based program.  People who provide a negative PCR test within 72 hours of the live event in question would be able to attend live entertainment like musical events according to the testing- based program.

    At Madison Square Garden 10 percent capacity is about 2,000 people. Which means at the upcoming Knicks game against the Golden State Warriors 2,000 people can be cheering from the crowd. Although 2,000 isn’t that many, Madison Square Garden hopes that they “are on a path to continue to increase capacity,” according to Lustgarten. They hope that in time  attendance will be able to increase beyond 10 percent before the basketball and hockey seasons end.

     “This was earlier than we had expected,” Lustgarten told analysts on a Friday at the New York Post. And because of the fact reopening to live audiences was unexpected there are some things that are still up in the air. Like the fact there will be limited types of food for sale, but it’s unclear what types of food will be available in the upcoming events. Madison Square Garden says details will be coming soon on what options will be available. 

    Madison Square Garden

    This MSG reopening is coming just in the knick of time for the arena with its second fiscal quarter, ending in December of 2020, was down $23.1 million which is 94.1 percent from the previous year’s $394.1 million according to Billboard. The live entertainment industry has been harder than most industries by the COVID-19 pandemic. The fact that live shows are slowly but surely coming back is the light at the end of the tunnel the industry has been searching for. 

    For more information on Madison Square Garden visit their website.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BlGnzGICNQ

  • Gov. Cuomo Plans to Bring Back Live Music with Reopening Large Venues and “NY Pops Up”

    Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his plans for reopening large sized venues throughout the state on February 10, 2021. This will help bring live music back to the state in combination with the “NY Pops Up” program which is bringing 300 live performances for free. 

    NY Pops Up MSG
    Empty Madison Square Garden in NYC. Photo by Steve Malinski

    Cuomo plans to use a testing- based program, which was used by the Buffalo Bills, to bring live performances back to any large stadium or arena later this month. How the testing- based program would work is the people who provide a negative PCR test within 72 hours of the live event in question would be able to attend live entertainment like musical events. The program would also be able to be made into person for sport events like baseball, soccer, football and basketball games possible. Arenas can open to the public on February 23, 2021. 

    According to NBC New York though there will be certain rules and restrictions in place to make this possible. Some of the restrictions include a, “strict 10 percent capacity limit in arenas and stadiums with more than 10,000-person total capacity. Venues have to submit their plans to the State Department of Health for approval. Core mitigation efforts like mask-wearing, temperature checks and mandatory assigned seating to ensure social distancing will also be required.”

    cuomo regulations NY Pops Up
    NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo conducts press briefing and makes a presentation at the 3rd Avenue office in New York on July 23, 2020. Governor, announced that President Trump will not send federal agents into New York City. He again pleaded to young people to be responsible, keep social distances and wear masks. (Photo by Lev Radin/Sipa USA)(Sipa via AP Images)

    On top of this excitement of the prospect of live music in person in venues there is also the announcement of  the “NY Pops Up” program starting on February 20 through Labor Day bringing over 300 live performances. Cuomo announced that the first performance will happen on February 20 in New York City with a free performance especially for healthcare workers featuring big names like  Jon Batiste, Anthony Roth Costanzo, Cecile McLorin Salvant and Ayodele Casel. The ‘pop up’ will be traveling across the city’s five boroughs to perform in different parks, on street corners, and outside hospitals. 

    With COVID-19 still raging on throughout the world the prospect of some sense of normalcy is extremely intriguing and exciting. People across NY can be attending live events again before the beginning of March with these new programs. 

  • Governor Cuomo Announces ‘New York Arts Revival’ Program

    Governor Andrew Cuomo announced the launch of ‘New York Arts Revival’ program on January 12, 2021. After the devastating blow the live entertainment industry has taken from the Coronavirus Pandemic the ‘New York Arts Revival’ could be exactly the push New York needs to help save the live entertainment industry.

    The ‘New York Arts Revival’ will be a combination of a public and private partnership and will be one of the most ambitious programs to promote live entertainment on a statewide scale. The program will feature and promote indoor and outdoor shows over the coming months and will feature upward of 150 performers. 

    What is a city without social, cultural, and creative synergies?… We must bring culture and arts back to life… and almost one has been hurt more by COVID than our Artists. According to a study by the national endowment of the Arts 52% of actors, 55% of dancers, and 27% of musicians were out of work in September of 2020. In New York the arts and culture account for almost half a million jobs and generate $120 billion in economic output. But these aren’t just statistics. These are our friends and our neighbors. These artists are part of what makes New York, New York.

    New York Governor Andrew Cuomo

    Governor Cuomo’s plan to help save these artists and the industry is with the ‘New York Arts Revival’ program. The program will host multiple pop up performances starting on February 4, 2021 across the State of New York. The outdoor venues will be outdoor stages in prominent Cities across the state to State Parks. They will also use flexible venues adapted for social distancing. These pop up performances will include big names Amy Schumer, Chris Rock, Renée Fleming, Wynton Marsalis, and Hugh Jackman. Art organizations will also be involved with the ‘New York Arts Revival’ like the Ballet Hispanico, ARS NOVA, The Albany Symphony Orchestra,  The National Black Theatre, and the Pendragon Theater.  

    Jane Rosenthal who is known as the co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival and Broadway and film producer Scott Rudin will be leading the charge in the ‘New York Arts Revival’ along with the New York State Council on the Arts according to Governor Cuomo. The program will culminate with the opening with the Little Island at a new 2.7-acre public park on Pier 55 in the Hudson River, close to Greenwich Village and the 20th anniversary of the Tribeca Film Festival. 

    Not everyone is as thrilled about the ‘New York Arts Revival’ though due to the fact it didn’t seem to focus on the music industry as much as the other live entertainment industries. Lowell Wurster of Plattsburgh band Lucid spoke on Cuomo’s address saying, “He doesn’t mention anything about live music in there. If you can socially distance at Chris Rock show then you can do the same thing for live music. More than half my friends are out of work right now.  Most of them aren’t making ends meet by doing live streams. If they can find a safe and responsible way to have an audience for stand up comedian then they should be including live music in that mix also.” 

    Greg Bell of Guthrie/Bell Productions shared a similar sentiment, noting the lack of specifics and attention to Upstate New York from Cuomo.

    It appears that Gov. Cuomo is basically talking about the greater Metropolitan region when discussing his new Arts Revival. He does not appear to be considering the rest of the state at this time. I assume that he is planning to test the waters Downstate before making plans for the rest of New York. At best, we would be looking at outdoor venues, large theaters and large arenas that may be able to put on shows with social distancing. I do not see clubs and smaller venues benefiting from this at all. I do not know if the plan includes independent promoters doing Drive-In shows or small outdoor festivals returning or if it is geared towards large corporations like Live Nation and State or local municipality run events. While a step in the right direction, I think that it is unclear how much this new plan will affect live music overall.

    Greg Bell, Guthrie/Bell Productions

    Will the ‘New York Arts Revival’ help the music industry? It’s unclear if it will but hopefully musicians will be added to the docket and be included in the programing as much as performers from other entertainment industries.