Tag: SaveOurStages

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NIVA Issues Statement In Response to Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremonies

#SaveOurStages

After receiving recognition for helping venues survive, NIVA has responded to the kind words from Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame CEO Greg Harris.

To kick off the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony this weekend, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame & Museum CEO Greg Harris started the evening by recognizing and thanking the National Independent Venue Association for spearheading and securing $16 billion in emergency federal relief, stating, “During the darkest days of the pandemic the leaders of the National Independent Venue Association worked tirelessly to secure federal support for clubs, venues, and museums. And because of your great work, Congress passed the Save Our Stages Act. It was a lifeline to this industry, and those leaders are with us here tonight. Join me in thanking them: NIVA.”  

NIVA members from more than 30 states came for the Induction Ceremonies, most meeting for the very first time, though they started working together in April 2020 in the effort to save the industry. Known as Precinct Captains, these NIVA members indefatigably organized advocacy outreach to Congress so elected officials would know the devastating effects the shutdowns were having on independent venues, promoters, and festivals.

Sean Watterson, owner of the Happy Dog in Cleveland and a NIVA Precinct Captain, led the initiative in Ohio to lobby for emergency relief. He closely collaborated with Greg Harris of the Rock Hall to include artists’ voices to #SaveOurStages effort. Watterson said, “I’m incredibly grateful to Greg and his team for inviting NIVA’s Precinct Captains to Cleveland, and for recognizing the importance of even the smallest of stages from the biggest stage of all: the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony!”

NIVA Board President and CEO of First Avenue Productions, Dayna Frank said, “It’s a huge honor for NIVA, and all independent venues across the country, to receive this recognition from The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They understand the eco-system of live entertainment, and the role independent venues play as pillars in our communities and as the launching-pads for artists’ careers.”

ABOUT NIVA:

Formed at the onset of the COVID-19 shutdown, National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), created and led the #SaveOurStages campaign, resulting in landmark legislation establishing the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program administered by the Small Business Administration. NIVA’s mission is to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of independent live venues, promoters, and festivals throughout the United States. The National Independent Venue Foundation (NIVF) was founded to further this mission by also seeking to support a transparent, competitive marketplace serving a diverse and inclusive community of artists, fans, and industry workers. NIVA is committed to equity in its support and advocacy for independent venues, and seeks to create and encourage opportunities for venues, promoters, and festivals owned, operated, and staffed by people of color, women, non-binary, LGBTQ+, veterans, and people with disabilities.

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Congress Allocates $15 Billion To Help #SaveOurStages [VIDEO]

After nine months without concerts or assistance, independent concert venues across the US may soon receive a much-needed helping hand.

Congress is (hopefully) hours away from passing a long-awaited second COVID-19 relief package to boost the economy and help citizens nationwide. Much of the coverage around the package has focused on the $600 stimulus checks Americans will receive, but there is another piece of the package that has the music industry crying tears of joy. It turns out, Congress may #SaveOurStages after all.

According to USA Today’s Nicholas Wu, the relief package incorporates the  Save Our Stages Act (#SaveOurStages). First introduced by Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota over the summer, the act calls for six months of financial support to “keep venues afloat, pay employees, and preserve a critical economic sector for communities across America.” Under the original proposal, venues would be provided grants accounting for either 45% of a business’ operation costs from the previous year or $12 million in total — whichever is the lesser amount. Venues would then be allowed to use that money to pay off “costs incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic” as well as rent, utilities, mortgages, personal protective equipment, maintenance, administrative costs, taxes, and expenses to meet local and federal social distancing guidelines.

“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,” said Dayna Frank, owner & CEO of First Avenue Productions and Board president of NIVA.

“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.” 

Congress is expected to pass the latest COVID-19 relief bill before Christmas. President Donald Trump is expected to sign the legislation as soon as it is presented to him. Follow Haulix for more updates on the #SaveOurStages movement while the industry waits for live music to return in 2021.

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#SaveOurStages Explained: How COVID-19 Is Killing Venues

Visit https://www.nivassoc.org/take-action and do your part today. It takes less than a minute and costs nothing.

COVID-19 brought the live music industry to its knees. Almost overnight, virtually every venue in the United States had to close their doors and layoff their staff. Many venues remain closed today, and there is no clear timeline for them to reopen.

While all venues are suffering right now, independent venues are worse off than the rest. These concert halls are essentially local small businesses, but only many shops and companies, they have not received any financial aide from the federal government. Not one cent of any federal stimulus or bailout money has been given to live music businesses, and that needs to change. 

As of June 2020, over 90% of all independent venues in the United States are in jeopardy of closing before October. Such a loss would upend the entire music ecosystem, not to mention leaving thousands without a job. NIVA, the National Independent Venue Association, is trying to save these establishments from going under, but they need our help.

In this episode of Music Biz News, host James Shotwell explains the #SaveOurStages movement and what viewers can do to take action. Please do your part. 

Music Biz is brought to you by Haulix, the music industry’s leading promotional distribution platform. Join Haulix today and gain instant access to the same promotional tools trusted by Bruce Springsteen, Jason Isbell, Slipknot, and thousands more. Visit http://haulix.com/signup for more information.

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