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Colorado venues participate in 'Red Alert' campaign to draw attention to struggling event industry

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by
alexis kikoen
• Published on
Telluride Town Park stage lit red on September 1, 2020.
Rocky Mountain PBS

A red glow emanated from music and performing arts venues across the country the night of September 1. It was all part of the #RedAlertRESTART campaign to bring attention to the ongoing crisis facing the live events industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over 50 venues in Colorado participated, lighting their buildings up from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Duncan Goodman is the owner of Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom and The Other Side, two popular Denver music destinations. “We are one of the many venues that has been shut down going on six months now,” he said.

Goodman's venues participated in the Red Alert campaign to draw attention to the fact that the live events industry desperately needs help.

Colorado Voices

#RedAlertRestart puts the Spotlight on Live Event Venues

2:11
Published:

The #RedAlertRestart campaign draws attention to the live events industry.

The Denver Center for the Performing Arts also lit up their expansive complex. President and CEO Janice Sinden says the campaign is helping the live events industry "figure out how we can advocate before Congress to invest in federal stimulus packages that would help us keep the lights on and help us with our recovery."

A successful outcome for the initiative would be the passing of the Restart Act. Similar to the PPE loans given out earlier in the year as a response to COVID-19, the Restart Act would provide additional support for struggling venues. They're also hoping Congress will extend the $600/week unemployment benefits, because the bulk of event staff remain without work.

The Budweiser Events Center in Loveland also participated in the campaign.

“The arts and culture sector is absolutely a special place, we were among the first to close, and we’ll be among the last to reopen,” says Sinden. "We really feel a strong commitment to be part of the healing of our community…we just can’t wait for the day we turn our lights on bright and we have actors on our stage again.

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