NORTH TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WBEN) - Patience is running out for music venues. They're pleading for the governor to reopen their industry which has been closed since the beginning of the pandemic in March.
The Riviera Theatre has tentatively planned for a show next weekend with The Chicago Authority. However, without a green light from Governor Cuomo, they'll be unable to run the show.
"There are studies and reports that 90 percent of all independent venues will be closed as a result of this," Dave Fillenwarth, Executive Director at the Riviera Theatre, said. "I don't intend to let that happen to the Riviera Theatre. In New York State we were led to believe that phase four would come along for reopening, the curve would be flattened, and there would be a plan in place to reopen. As I stand here today, right now, we're still in the dark."
The theatre in North Tonawanda has created a safety plan in order to reopen, a proactive step even though there is no guidance yet for music venues. The plan includes a 50 percent capacity, cleaning before and after every show, a mask mandate, temperature checks, and the closure of merchandise and concession stands.
"We are here to put on a concert in a safe environment as quickly and as efficiently as possible," Fillenwarth said. "There would be no intermission with our performances. We'll go straight through with the music."
There will be exclusively general admission seating. There will be at least two seats between each group size and one empty row between the groups. This will accommodate the social distancing measures mandated by the state.
Fillenwarth stopped short of giving a timeline for how much longer they can stay operate before having to shut their doors permanently, but suggested they're running out of time.
CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield told federal lawmakers that masks are "the most powerful public health tool" and may provide even more protection than a vaccine that may only be up to 70 percent effective.
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said the governor plans to reopen music venues yet, but didn't say exactly when that would be.
"The infection rate we have says to me if we can keep this going longer, we'll be one of the first states to fully reopen without reservation," Hochul said. "We'll be open when other states are struggling because they did it in a way that was too fast before they were ready. We're still in the throes of a pandemic. I know that's hard to accept and my heart breaks for those businesses that are just hanging on."
When told about Hochul's comments, Fillenwarth said "I need a date, I need capacity, and I can put together a business plan and get open ASAP."
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