WANTAGH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — Live performance venues and dwell theaters are nonetheless closed, leaving native musicians and performers, stagehands and others within the business struggling.
Tuesday, there was some assist for these of us, within the type of much-needed meals.
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As CBS2’s Carolyn Gusoff reported, earlier than the pandemic the Liverpool Shuffle was reserving 60 dwell gigs per 12 months. COVID shut them down for all however a number of digital live shows.
“It has simply been brutal, and Lengthy Island is especially laborious hit. At one time it appeared Lengthy Island was the middle of the COVID universe,” mentioned Joe Refano of the Liverpool Shuffle.
The primary to shut, the final to reopen, dwell music performers are nonetheless struggling.
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At Mulcahy’s in Wantagh, the dinner theater is open, however a lot of their collaborators haven’t seen a paycheck in a 12 months.
“Stagehands, lighting techs, roadies, all the pieces. Merch gross sales, managers… and they’re all out of labor,” mentioned co-owner Tim Murray.
For them, Long Island Cares has created an emergency response: Music Field of Meals. A number of days of meals, private care merchandise, even pet meals.
LINK: Long Island Cares
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“We are going to guarantee they’ve sufficient meals for his or her household and they’re welcome to make the most of this program as usually and lengthy as they want it,” mentioned Dr. Jessica Rosati of Lengthy Island Cares.
Containers will be picked up at venues the place they’ve held so many profit live shows to assist others.
“To return and ask for assist I feel could also be embarrassing for some. You don’t wish to admit you want it,” mentioned Michele Rizzo-Berg of the Patchogue Theater.
Digital occasions have paid some payments however Lengthy Island Cares predicts the necessity for long run assist.
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“That is the top of the road for many individuals within the leisure enterprise and the music enterprise. For greater than 12 months, no work and feeling hopeless,” mentioned Lengthy Island Cares CEO Paule Pachter.
A pure partnership, Lengthy Island Cares was based by the late, nice Harry Chapin, who lived by the best of giving again.
“Music is in our roots and we wish to guarantee that native artists and leisure of us have the assistance that they want,” Rosati mentioned.
For those who or somebody you realize within the business wants help, you possibly can name Lengthy Island Cares at 631-582-FOOD. It should assess the necessity and direct you to one of many venues the place packing containers will be picked up.
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Lengthy Island Cares has fed an extra 270,000 individuals through the pandemic thus far.
