In Stroudsburg, Sherman Theater Executive Director Rich Berkowitz faces rent, mortgage loans and other obligations with no way to generate income. He added that the live music ecosystem also feeds into other industries including dining and hotels. “It is critical that we make an effort to preserve this industry which is a jewel of the Commonwealth’s cultural crown,” Wheatley said. Pennsylvania is home to 225 independent live music venues that employed more than 10,000 people in 2019 and generated roughly $1.36 billion in business, Wheatley said. Grant funding may be used for payroll and benefits, rent, utilities, mortgage interest payments, interest payments, insurance, PPE, existing loans, payments to 1099 employees and other ordinary and necessary business expenses. Grant funding may be used for expenses incurred between March 1 and Dec.Each recipient is eligible for a grant no greater than 45% of gross revenue from 2019 or $2 million, whichever is less.Eligible recipients must have fewer than 500 full-time employees, not be publicly traded companies, not own or operate venues in more than one country or more than 10 states, or receive more than 10% of gross revenue from federal funding.Establishing a $200 million grant program for those that organize, promote, produce, manage or host ticketed live concerts, comedy shows, theatrical productions or other events by paid performing artists.“We do not know if funding is coming from anywhere federally again because we are the forgotten industry.” “Funding now would mean that all the independent venues, promoters, etc, can continue the work that they invested their whole life in,” Drusky said. “Without us, this whole landscape of the industry changes and that can be devastating to the American Dream for millions of people whether that be aspiring musicians, artists, actors producers, promoters and entrepreneurs.”ĭrusky’s company, Drusky Entertainment, has pivoted to staging shows over the summer and fall at the Starlight Drive-In in Butler, but with cold weather setting in, an Oct. “Independent promoters and venues are the lifeblood and the backbone of the music industry,” Drusky said. Pittsburgh music promoter Brian Drusky agreed. Even if they were to say tomorrow, ‘Everyone can open at full capacity,’ that kind of still doesn’t help.” “The problem is, we’re the first to close and the last to open,” Pergal said. The bill would provide grants for independent venue operators, theaters and promoters who have been unable to open their doors due to the health and safety measures in place to stop the spread of coronavirus. “It’s do or die,” Pergal said about the PA Save Our Stages Act, introduced last week by State Rep. Pergal owns the Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall in Lawrenceville, and is part of the ownership group for the Roxian Theater in McKees Rocks.īoth buildings are usually filled with the sounds of music and the sight of dancing crowds enjoying their favorite bands.īoth have been silent since mid-March, and a group of state legislators is hoping to keep them financially solvent until they can pump up the volume once again.
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