Three weeks ago, life changed. Most performers still had a most of their events on their calendar and income still coming in. But the Covid 19 epidemic hit a point where everything started to collapse. Event after event cancelled along with all travel plans, and even allowances.
Most performers I know are in a pretty tight spot with their living budgets already stretched on a normal year. It’s really hard to know just how long this will stretch on. Today I received an email from a client regarding their Nov 21 event, nearly 8 months away. He said:
It has been crazy here keeping calm, as we are an essential service with our team on the front line. Trying to keep everyone calm and focused has taken up most of my time.We received a notice from the township that our name is still on the hall for that date, but all admittance to township facilities have been suspended indefinitely.This whole thing has messed up a lot of people. We need to get Social Confidence back into people’s heads. Comedy and entertainment will be more important than ever to help with the healing process.I know we have staff already telling us that they will not attend a function in a social/theater/stadium situation for a long time including our Christmas Party (which is crazy as we are like 8 months away).
I love his perspective on how comedy and entertainment will be a part of the healing process. I hope there will be an explosion of events that consider having professional entertainment at their events when then resume.
I find it disconcerting that some people are declaring NOW that they won’t attend an event that is nearly 8 months away!
Indeed it will be a long road for the events industry, to get to the point where the public is not afraid to be in public, even when it is declared safe to do so.
Lets hope and pray that this global event is on the decline enough that we can at least have July and August events this summer, and the confidence that people will actually attend.
