About a year ago I made the decision to leave my role at Newport Festivals Foundation to become an independent contractor. I took the leap, and had the opportunity to (finally) work with an old friend, meet new friends, and delve into projects I was so excited about. Of course, the pandemic changed all that. My entire calendar, like everyone else, was cancelled. I wouldn't be seeing my teammates out on the road or at festival sites, and didn't know when things would be going "back to normal". Well, 7 months later, and the music industry is still hard hit. I am so fortunate to have found some serendipitous new roles, but I am acutely aware that I am among the few in our business who is making an income right now - the vast majority are jobless, furloughed, or working at a reduced rate if they're lucky. And those months of the unknown were scary, stressful, and devastating. To cope with the rollercoaster of emotions, I decided to start running. It has been a great challenge, and a great stress reliever. But all of my friends who are still out of work are constantly on my mind.
Music venues were the first to close. They will be the last to open. They are 100% shut down for an indefinite period of time. They have zero revenue. They are small businesses who are in danger. So I've teamed up with my wonderfully talented friends over at Neighbor to coordinate a Thanksgiving weekend 5k to benefit NIVA: the National Independent Venue Association. Please consider joining me to run, walk- hell, push road cases around for 3.11 miles and pretend like you're loading in on site - just please donate and support the Emergency Relief fund that is so desperately needed to keep our favorite music venues afloat.
My colleagues are some of the most resourceful, creative, and brilliant people I know - and I can't wait to see them again down the road. Until then, I'm going to keep running for each and every one of them. Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance for your support!
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Join Neighbor to show your support for NIVA, the National Independent Venue Association, on Thanksgiving weekend 2020.
The mission of the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is to preserve and nurture the ecosystem of independent live music venues and promoters throughout the United States. There are over 2,900 independent venues in 50 states and Washington D.C. that have banded together to ask Washington for targeted legislation to help them survive.
Some of our most important and favorite memories were made in an independent music venue. That's why we're coming together to raise money for the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund. You can learn more and take action at www.saveourstages.com.
