Maybe holiday miracles can happen after all. Congress announced Sunday that it reached a deal to distribute the $900 billion stimulus deal to send aid to American citizens and businesses affected by the pandemic — including the Save Our Stages bill which will provide around $10 billion in relief to independent music venues that have been almost entirely shuttered since March.
“We can finally report what our nation has needed to hear for a very long time, More help is on the way,” stated Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Sunday night, according to the New York Times.
The package will continue and expand benefits for gig workers and freelancers, and it extends federal payments for people whose regular benefits have expired. Of note, the stimulus package also includes expanded eligibility under the program for nonprofits, local newspapers, and radio and TV broadcasters and allocates $15 billion for performance venues, independent movie theaters and other cultural institutions devastated by the restrictions imposed to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
In a statement, Dayna Frank, owner and CEO of Minneapolis legendary First Avenue concert venue and board president of the National Independent Venue Association, said: “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. 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.”
Last week representatives for the concert industry, plead for federal aid before the U.S. Senate. The Save Our Stages bi-partisan bill was cosponsored in the Senate by Amy Klobuchar (D-Mn.) and John Cornyn (R-Tx.).
Since March, many New Orleans venues have struggled. Gasa Gasa, Saturn Bar, and others fell victim to Covid-business casualties and d.b.a., Tipitina’s, and others continue to do what they can to remain operating.
Dave Matthews, Foo Fighters, G-Eazy, Miley Cyrus, Monica, Reba McEntire, The Revivalists, and The Roots are just some of the big names that performed in the Save Our Stages benefit concert this October via livestream. Internationally famous performers livestreamed via indie stages across the United States, including Tipitina’s and Preservation Hall to raise money and awareness for the Save Our Stages plight.
“The smaller music venues and the ones that are really struggling are not only culturally important, they are emotionally important,” said Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters.
OffBeat will update with more developments as they become available.
