Day of Action to Save Our Stages

Help make our independent venues New York Tough and Save Our Stages! The New York Independent Venue Association (NIVA) in affiliation with the newly-formed National Independent Venue Association is counting on the public to help #SaveOurStages. August 4th marks the official Day of Action, where music lovers, constituents and the communities can support two newly-introduced bills to congress that could very well save the music industry!

Help Make Independent Venues New York Tough

DAY OF ACTION TO #SAVEOURSTAGES

The Save Our Stages Act and Restart Act are the two bills that have been introduced and can ensure the survival of independent venues across the nation.

In a recent op-ed interview for Rolling Stone, Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar, who introduced the Save Our Stages Act with Texas’ John Cornyn, said: “My message to music fans who want to help their favorite venues is to advocate; call their congresspeople, and say ‘We need you to support this bill.’ You have fans that go to venues all the time and miss it very much, and then you have people that understand that that’s how their favorite artists got started. You don’t want to take away the way that so many of our artists get started.”

“Our voices are powerful and we must ensure our elected officials realize that no action will result in the forfeiture of NY’s cultural identity”. – National Independent Venues Association (NIVA)

Help make independent venues

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

The stakes are extremely high. Music venues were the first to close and will be the last to re-open. Most venues are at risk of going out of business if nothing is done. Sadly, some venues have already closed their doors.

According to a statement from NIVA, on average, a venue will need $300,000 to sustain itself if they are to remain closed until 2021. ($60 million for the industry in aggregate)

In New York City, the independent venues are disastrously close to losing NY’s cultural lifeblood. Nationally, over 1.5 million live music lovers have written letters to their elected officials via SaveOurStages.com, but it’s not enough. “Our voices are powerful and we must ensure our elected officials realize that no action will result in the forfeiture of NY’s cultural identity,” NIVA.

music heals

THE NEW YORK VENUES

Over 150 Independent venues in New York City have come together to form the New York Independent Venue Association in affiliation with the newly formed National Independent Venue Association. On August 4th, they will be calling for a Day of Action to seek support for their current very pressing issues.

Music venues were the first to close and will be the last to re-open. Most venues are at risk of going out of business if nothing is done.

Did you know that on average, a NY venue already has $150,000 their landlord could claim in arrears and more than 80% of venues have no definitive arrangement with their landlords?

“We can’t pay rent if we’re closed,” says Steve Walter, owner of iconic NYC venue, The Cutting Room. “If I pay my rent, then the landlord takes his profit and the band takes its profit, which leaves the venues sitting with the debt. So the question remains, where is it going to come from”?

WHAT ABOUT LIVE STREAMING?

Live streaming has yet to become a viable source of revenue. The average NY venue’s monthly profit from Facebook, live streams, and merchandise comes out to $375 (after labor and cost of goods).

NYC’s legendary venue The Blue Note announced that they will begin holding performances/concerts from the venue beginning in September. The caveat — no audience – only Live Stream.

Will More Independent Venues Follow Suit?

The next few months may bring more venues on board with this concept. We asked the Cutting Room’s Steve Walter to elaborate on this very question. “We are looking into different ways to live stream from our venue,” says Walter. “We want everyone involved to make money — especially the musicians and our staff.”

New York, has for the moment, managed to stay “New York Tough” and crushed the curve of the coronavirus’ infection rate. However, the tough protocals to protect the state from a resurgence come at a heavy price — modified phases – meaning know indoor dining or entertainment.

We are disastrously close to losing NY’s cultural lifeblood. Nationally, over 1.5 million live music lovers have written letters to their elected officials via SaveOurStages.com, but it’s not enough.

NIVA hopes that through the August 4th “Date of Action” our elected officials will realize that no action will result in the forfeiture of NY’s or the Nation’s cultural identity.

Socially Sparked

So, support the independent venues today by taking action. Write your congressmen, use social media, email blasts — whatever means you can to convey the message, SAVE OUR STAGES! Music aids us with what ails us — it soothes our souls and heals our hearts. Nothing can replace the vibe and sound of live music. The intimacy, shared passionate experience takes on a life of its own. — Forever Socially Sparked.  Tweet @sosparkednews & @asparks01