“Save Our Stages” Starts With First Avenue

This year has been so hard for so many.  But the hardest hit would be the hospitality industry.  This includes bars and restaurants, hotels, and of course music and entertainment venues.

The  entertainment venues have been basically closed for the whole year.  When you depend on people coming and enjoying anything from concerts, to events to weddings, home shows, expos, basically you name it when it comes to a large group gathering together, ALL of it has been cancelled.  I feel like it's 2020- CANCELLED!

First  Avenue in Minneapolis decided that they would start a fundraiser for these music venues.  It's aptly called "Save Our Stages".

There was a "save our stages act" which was a relief bill that was introduced so that these places would be able to see the light of day when this pandemic is over.  It's been a rough year.

“Independent venues were some of the first establishments to close down and will likely be some of the last to open. I refuse to sit by and let the music die, which is why I was proud to introduce the bipartisan Save our Stages Act,” Klobuchar said in a statement. “This funding will get small entertainment venues the help they need to make ends meet and serve our communities for generations to come.” 

There have been so many artists who have performed at First Avenue.  And a lot of big named artists got their start at First Avenue and have sort of a soft place in their hearts for the venue.  Now, one of the artists that got her start there, Dessa, has put together, with the help of several other artists, a compilation album to benefit First Ave.

"First Avenue cares about music. And artists. And the culture of our city. That’s not true of everyone in this business. Let’s show them the support they’ve shown us all along," she wrote on the First Love Project website. 

There is a subscription fee of $25.  After the venue reopens to the public and things start to be a bit more normal, hopefully sooner than later, this will be taken offline  and will be  done at the venue for people to come and support the effort in person.

All in all, we all hope to  be able to see live music in person again soon.  But until that happens, this is a great way to support the effort and enjoy some music at the same time.