The Save Our Stages Act: A Holiday Miracle For Independent Venues
Photo by Duncan Goodman, courtesy of Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom
Every single industry has suffered in different ways since COVID-19 began to worsen in March. The one that has faced the most economic hardship has been the music industry, specifically live entertainment. After a long plea by senators, venue owners, and other music industry professionals beginning in July, the next $900 Billion stimulus package has come to fruition, as Congress finally passed before it tonight . By agreeing on this stimulus package deal, congress passed the “Save Our Stages Act.” The bill will grant $15 Billion to a variety of independent venues, movie theaters, and cultural institutions. This will be the first major relief deal involving independent venues since the pandemic began nearly 10 months ago.
“Thanks to musicians, fans & friends for the grassroots work to convince people in D.C. that music & theaters & venues are key to our American economy & culture.” (Amy Klobuchar, US Senator, Minnesota)
It’s relieving to see many senators like Amy Klobuchar, the creator of the Save Our Stages Act, fight to preserve the culture that venues bring to the US. If the majority of independently-run venues permanently closed due to a lack of income from COVID-19, those who work in the music industry and the economy as a whole would suffer the consequences.
Klobuchar understands how important the live music industry is to the U.S. economy and recognizes the effect it has on local culture as a whole. Her knowledge of the importance of the live music industry has led to the development of the bill that will give venues a fighting chance over these next few months. This bill will give the multitude of venues like The Black Box, Marquis Theater, and Larimer Lounge a better chance at making it through the last stretch of COVID-19.
Denver’s indie venues not only contribute a great amount to the melting pot that is Colorado’s music scene, but also help drive traffic to other local businesses. The passing of this bill would benefit many more businesses than just the venues themselves. It would preserve culture, livelihoods, and the economy.
(Senator Klobuchar, Courtesy of Matt Stevens)
On Twitter, Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut stated, “Theaters & stages are struggling to keep the lights on. For the sake of our cultural gems & the small businesses they support, Congress must pass the Save Our Stages Act”.
The economic importance of live music is unmatched by any other music industry sector. Venues support local businesses by creating crowds that will spend money at restaurants, small businesses, and convenience stores in the surrounding area. The Save Our Stages Act will directly support the small businesses that rely largely on the crowds from venues to make money. Without the traffic from functioning venues, many businesses would not make an in income significant enough to operate. To put it briefly, this act is needed in order to prevent a domino effect of economic loss.
With the (normally) thriving Denver music scene, it is easy to forget that many well-known venues are independent and need help to stay alive through this pandemic. Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom and The Oriental Theater are both extremely popular venues that have struggled throughout the Covid Era. There is fear of the misconception that well-known venues have been able to survive through socially-distanced shows. While socially-distanced shows offered venues some income when they were allowed, it was not anywhere near sufficient to be able to stay open and operate successfully. Thankfully, the next stimulus package could roll out in as soon as the next few weeks. This gives some
hope that Denver’s favorite indie venues would start to receive the much-needed funding soon, before it’s too late.
Thanks to the Save Our Stages Act, venue owners, lighting technicians, and other venue event staff can finally feel relief and hope for one of the first times since COVID-19 shut down the U.S. Denver’s indie venues will receive some help in the fight to survive from the funding they receive until live shows are allowed to come back.
Independent venues are places where big names are made, where memories are made, and where new music is discovered. With the (hopeful) passing of this act, culture, music, and the future of up & coming musicians will be saved.