+++UPDATE: 4 ways to get your global nightlife & music news in the Corona moment…
There is a tidal wave of information surging through the internet at the moment that can be overwhelming when trying to identify what’s relevant to you.
The following sites are providing accurate, nightlife-specific information amidst the unfolding crisis, with global scope:
- Resident Advisor running updates and features: electronic music focus
- Music x Corona newsletter : general music industry focus, run by Bas Grasmayer (Berlin, DE based)
- Global Cities After Dark running updates: music and policy focus (Sydney, AU based)
- Nighttime.org AKA us! running updates and features: global nightlife focus
+++UPDATE: Denmark: Commission approves €12 million Danish scheme to compensate damages caused by cancellations of large public events due to COVID-19 outbreak
“On 11 March 2020, Denmark notified the Commission of its intention to set up a DKK 91 million (€12 million) aid scheme to compensate organisers of events with more than 1,000 participants or targeted at designated risk groups, such as the elderly or vulnerable people, irrespective of the number of participants, which had to be cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Under the scheme, operators would be entitled to be compensated for the losses suffered as a consequence of the cancellations or postponements of the events, for which, for example, tickets were already sold.”
—European Commission, 12 Mar 2020
News: UK: The last dance: clubbing in the coronavirus crisis | Guardian
“[Event organizers] were left with an unenviable decision to mitigate in real time. Do you risk asymptomatic people spreading the virus? Do you send workers home, from performing artists to lighting technicians to security to bar staff, who might desperately rely on that last paycheck before work in events is vaporised? With insurance policies unclear on cancellation policy due to Covid-19, and no emergency fund from the government in place for nightlife industries, a string of bankruptcies are a very real possibility, too – although this was looked upon dimly by European counterparts who enacted compulsory closure much sooner.”
— The last dance: clubbing in the coronavirus crisis | The Guardian | 17 March 2020
+++UPDATE: SF Bay Area: Queer Nightlife Fund
A cross-sector coalition of Bay Area nightlife venue owners, artists, activists, and nonprofit leaders announced yesterday the formation of a support fund for workers in the nightlife industry.
Race Bannon, author and leather community member, of the QNF steering committee, put it: “Queer nightlife is a renowned and integral aspect of San Francisco Bay Area culture. The people who produce and staff local queer nightlife have been financially devastated by the venue closures resulting from the coronavirus crisis. Funds raised by the San Francisco Bay Area Queer Nightlife Fund will help these people stay housed, eat and pay vital bills. The Bay Area is known worldwide as a center for amazing queer nightlife. Let’s keep that nightlife alive by lending a helping hand to those who need our help in these trying times.”
Read more about the SF Queer Nightlife Fund: https://sfqueernightlifefund.org/about/ (Facebook | Instagram | Twitter)
News: USA: How Independent Venues Are Dealing With Large-Gathering Coronavirus Bans, Inevitable Loss of Small Rooms | Billboard
“The large-gathering bans and closures will impact live music events of all sizes, but for independent venues and promoters they could be make or break situations.”
— Billboard, 16 Mar 2020
+++UPDATE: Australia, Austin TX, US Theatre: I Lost My Gig
As the saying goes, “You can’t manage what you don’t measure.” Lost work in the freelance and event world can be more difficult to quantify than “9-to-5” work and income—and data is essential in this moment. The nascent ILostMyGig movement aims to address this, putting numbers to the work and income lost to coronavirus event cancellations— enabling policymakers to better respond to the needs of freelance, event, arts, and nightlife communities.
As of March 17, I Lost My Gig Australia tallies 380,000 people impacted by 65,000 cancelled events, totalling $100M in lost income.
As of March 17, in addition to the original ILostMyGig page for Austin, TX, USA, there are ILostMyGig pages for Australia and the USA theatre community.
Similarly, other cities’ nighttime commissions are using their own platforms to gather data on clubs’ and workers’ lost revenue, like New York (MOME), Berlin (Clubcommission, in German, open through 18 Mar), and Vilnius (Vilnius Night Alliance, in Lithuanian).
Other scenes running an ILostMyGig database not listed here? Send it our way: hello@vibe-lab.org .
+++UPDATES: Watch this Space – Global Nighttime Recovery Plan 🌎🌓
From lockdown to long-term, cities are asking how we re-envision urban systems to coexist with the ongoing threat of COVID-19. Those new visions must extend into—and through the night.
With the support of our network, VibeLab is developing a global nighttime recovery plan. This plan will utilise case studies to present workable solutions for cities of many sizes, geographical and economic contexts, and multiple models of nighttime governance.
Interested in finding out more?
Please reach out via our interest form which is live until May 15th, or direct questions to hello@vibe-lab.org.
VibeLab is actively seeking:
- partner cities to participate in case studies
- development support from funding partners
- community input
In the coming weeks, VibeLab will host conversations to inform strategy and resources that can be adopted worldwide. For more background and team info head here.
Sign up to the regular Nighttime Newsletter dispatch, with updates on resources, tools and news.
Check the global nighttime advocacy map to see what organisation is working to save nightlife near you.
And stay up to date with global night time industry news below.
Coronavirus impact on nightlife industry – information, strategies and support
VibeLab is currently channeling information to advise and support night mayors, nightlife industry stakeholders and event attendees, in mitigating the negative impacts of the coronavirus crisis on cities’ nighttime industries, businesses, and cultural scenes.
We will be mobilising our international network to facilitate communication between stakeholders, working together to find creative solutions to this global challenge.
Our goal is to develop informed strategies that minimise damage to nightlife industries and ensure the survival of smaller grassroots venues and promoters.
Starting immediately, VibeLab will be providing updates for both industry and event attendees on available support, recommended strategies and relevant news.
NOS/Felicia van der Graaf