New York Club Owners Expected to Come Together Today To Ask NY State to Throw Them a Lifeline
There are over 2,400 independent venues in NYC alone who have been shut down during Covid-19 closures with no idea when or how they will be permitted to reopen, and no additional monetary support from the city or state. They are in the dark in every way.
To address this, New York Comedy Club has joined with the other clubs in New York City to do something about it. They’re hosting a rally and press conference TODAY, on Tuesday Sept 22nd at 12pm in front of their East Village comedy club location (New York Comedy Club on 4th Street: 85 East 4th Street). The clubs are asking that the State of New York address their dire situation, and they’re asking everyone who loves live comedy to come show support.
Emilio Savone, the owner of New York Comedy Club told us, “As you can imagine, we are drowning and desperate here.”
Since quarantine started in March, it was clear that live performance clubs would be among the last businesses to be allowed to resume operation, but little to no guidance and no additional financial support or relief has been afforded these venues.
While clubs around the country struggle with the decision to close permanently, operate illegally, or just continue to go into debt with no end in sight, New York Club Owners have decided to fight for survival.
Initially, Savone said, comedy clubs were expected to be allowed to reopen in phase 4, which was supposed to commence on July 20th. “When everything got pushed back indefinitely, people in our industry were scrambling more than ever to survive,” he said. “Many of us were able to stop the bleeding by producing safe outdoor events. Our club actually teamed up with other restaurants in a joint effort to help them during slow hours and it was helpful to us since we don’t really have enough space outside of our venue to run shows or offer any sort of service.” Savone thought having comedians perform at an outdoor restaurant would be fine, but then after weeks of running outdoor shows successfully, the governor of New York put out a mandate banning all outdoor ticketed events. Savone said enforcement was scouring the city looking for violations, and hand down severe penalties.
“It was at that point we contacted Senator Gianaris (Queens) whose been a huge champion for small businesses and we created the NY Comedy Coalition comprised of comedy club owners throughout all 5 boroughs, Long Island, Westchester, and upstate,” Savone said.
The clubs are seeking to work with the Governor’s office to create safe conditions under which they can operate- outdoors now, and when the weather turns, to come up with a plan to operate on some level indoors.
Restaurants are set to open at 25% capacity in less than a week, along with other businesses such as museums, haunted houses, gyms, escape rooms, and basically every other industry except performance venues.
Today’s rally hopes to open the eyes of the State of New York to find a way to support these important businesses and arts centers. Comedians, venue owners, and supporters will be out raising awareness of the significance of the industry, and asking for the state to recognize and support these clubs either by setting a plan under which they can reopen, or alternatively offering real economic support.
The clubs have sent a detailed 5-page proposal to the Governor but have not heard back. Hopefully today’s rally and press conference can help. Here’s what they are asking for- the right to hold outdoor performances immediately, followed by the right to operate along with restaurants at 25%, and other entertainment venues like bowling alleys at 50%. Alternatively they are seeking information- the metrics to when and how they can reopen.
Efforts to secure Federal relief are proceeding as well, but today’s rally addresses the State’s restrictions on club operations.
If you are able to show support for the industry we all love, now’s the time to do it.
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