Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the closure of music venues has devastated the business of performing musicians, music professionals that support the venue, venue staff, and the venues themselves. Now more than ever, local venues need the support of the community. Independent Venue Week is organizing on behalf of venues nationwide that have been financially affected by the pandemic. 

The organization has developed the National Independent Venue Alliance (NIVA), a movement with plans to take to Capitol Hill to stand up for independent venues and promoters. They intend to come together and unify a voice for venues in dire need of federal financial support, which has been overlooked. NIVA encourages all venues, especially independent New Orleans venues, to sign up and get involved. Here, those interested in being added to a list of venues participating in the Alliance can register. Folks can help save our stages by contacting state legislators and by taking other actionable steps. Click here. 

Independent Venue Week is an organization centered around a seven-day celebration of music venues across the country and the people who keep them functioning. As uncertainty rises during the pandemic, Independent Venue Week has shifted its focus to rallying and providing resources for all the music venues struggling in this time. The organization met with Music Venue Trust to collaborate on support efforts, including advice on how to maintain venues at this time. Additionally, IVW has created a directory all off the fundraising campaigns for independent venues in the US and in the UK, which can be found here.

Music venues are at the forefront of the music industry, without these spaces we love and cherish, there is nowhere for music and art to be showcased. They ask for everyone to consider the value and importance of giving back to venues during this time.