If you notice an unusual amount of red lights across Colorado tonight, it’s because the live-events industry is in crisis mode.
In an effort to draw attention to the ongoing #WeMakeEvents #RedAlertRESTART initiative, nearly 50 Colorado venues and countless more homes and shop windows will turn red from 9 p.m. to midnight on Sept. 1.
They range from Empower Field at Mile High — the home of the Denver Broncos — and Front Range music venues such as Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the FirstBank Center, Mission Ballroom, Globe Hall, Aggie Theater, Fox Theatre and The Black Sheep to ski-resort towns like Aspen and Avon.
“The goal is to raise public awareness that the live events industry is on red alert for its very survival and create congressional pressure to act now,” organizers said in a press statement. “It is estimated that 96%, or as many as 12 million people in the live events industry, are currently unemployed, furloughed or have lost up to 90% of their income.”
That’s not news to anyone who’s been paying attention, but it’s still worth noting that even the biggest promoters, such as AEG Presents — which books the majority of shows in the region — and Live Nation have reported a 98% loss of revenue since the start of the pandemic, according to organizers of the event.
In Colorado, coronavirus shutdowns have wiped out years of growth in the arts and culture scene, including its formerly robust live-events industry. Between April 1 and July 31, 2020, Colorado’s statewide music industry lost 8,327 jobs and $344.6 million in sales revenue, according to a recent report. This represents 51% of total employment statewide and 24% of its annual sales revenue.
It’s this bad everywhere, unfortunately. That’s why as many as 1,500 buildings across North America will be lit in red on Tuesday night to urge Congress to pass the RESTART Act (S.3814), which would provide financial relief. Tuesday’s event is also in support of ExtendPUA.org, which supports an extension of the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance to provide relief to those without work due to COVID-19.
Check out the full list of venues and organizations taking part — and try digging up that red bulb from your last Halloween party or some holiday lights to put on your front porch or balcony.
Participating Colorado venues and buildings
Aspen: Wheeler Opera House
Avon: Avon Performance Center
Boulder: FirstBank Center, Boulder Bandshell, Boulder Theater, City Hall, Fox Theatre
Colorado Springs: Black Sheep, Broadmoor Arena, BruesAleHouse and Music Venue, Colorado College Fine Arts Center, Pikes Peak Center
Denver: Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Archipelago Clubs (2435 7th St), Armory Denver, Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom, Daniels & Fisher Tower, Dazzle, Denver Convention Center, Denver Pavilions, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Denver Theatre District, Empower Field at Mile High, Globe Hall, Knew Conscious, Larimer Lounge, Lost Lake, McNichols Building, Mission Ballroom, Paramount Theatre, Pepsi Center, Union Station
Dillion: Dillon Amphitheater
Fort Collins: Aggie Theatre, Avogadro’s, Bud Event Center/Ranch, Colorado Room, Comedy Fort, Lincoln Center, The Armory, The Coast
Greeley: UNCO Norton Theatre
Paonia: Blue Sage Center for the Arts, Paonia Town Park Stage, The Paradise
Telluride: Liberty, Sheridan Opera House, Telluride Town Park
Winter Park: Headwaters Event Center, Ullrs Tavern
Colorado companies supporting #WeMakeEvents #RedAlertRESTART: 7S Management, Blooming Footprint, BRICONIC Productions, Brown Note Productions, Conscious Alliance, Eddy Sound, Encompass Event Group, Lifestyle Events, Longevity Productions, Multimedia Audio Visual, Night Lights Denver, Production Resource Group (VER), Production Services International, Rogue Productions, Spectrum Audiovisual, Symbiotic Events, Wiseman Event Services and Z2 Entertainment