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From 9 p.m. to midnight, participating venues will illuminate red beacons from their buildings as part of a nationwide “red alert.” The still-closed businesses are trying to draw attention to the lack of financial support for people in the arts community.
“A variety of buildings — in particular, ones that usually house live events, things like theaters, concert halls — are going to glow red for the public to see as a physical ‘red alert,’ ” explained Bryan Buttler, spokesperson for the Philadelphia chapter of the Live Events Coalition.
Many in the live events and entertainment industry are still jobless due to the pandemic, and it’s unknown when venues will open again.
“I, as an arts and entertainment publicist, know performers who are literally down to a couple hundred dollars a week on unemployment,” said Buttler. “Right now, it’s estimated since March, 62% of arts and entertainment workers are fully unemployed. And even though the ones who are still employed somehow, 94% of them say they have some sort of income loss.”
Live entertainment workers include ushers, designers, stagehands, ancillary businesses that supply lighting or costumes, and much more. According to the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, the arts and entertainment industry across the five-county region generates more than 55,000 full-time jobs. Philadelphia alone creates more than 37,000 jobs.
Zachary James, an actor and opera singer based in Philadelphia, is struggling.
“I was on the pandemic assistance and it mysteriously vanished about 10 weeks ago,” he said. “(It) just says ‘in progress,’ which is not progress.”
James has been auditioning for TV, film and commercial gigs. He’s picked up a few voice students too, who he is teaching through video conferences.
“After applying to over 300 jobs, doing three interviews, and nothing coming, I just thought, well, it’s not flowing so we’re just going to stay put, get by, survive how you can,” he added.
The Live Events Coalition — along with #WeMakeEvents and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 8 — wants Congress to pass the RESTART Act, or the Reviving the Economy Sustainably Toward A Recovery in 2020 Act. The bill would bring back Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for workers in the arts and entertainment industry.
The federal government recently approved $300 in weekly benefits for jobless Pennsylvanians, but the state was waiting for official guidance on how to distribute it. Regardless, the money is likely to run out in mere weeks.
Buttler would like to see all supporters of the arts contact their lawmakers and urge them to pass the RESTART Act.
Meanwhile, indoor dining and theaters are allowed to reopen in Philadelphia on Sept. 8 at 25% capacity. Outdoor dining will continue to be capped at 50 people.
Indoor theaters and movie theaters can reopen at 50% capacity, with a maximum of 25 people.