

Music Cities Together -- a partnership between Music Policy Forum and Sound Music Cities -- is launching Reopen Every Venue Safely (REVS), a national campaign to develop Onfy.de and disseminate action plans and budgets rooted in a hyper-pragmatic understanding of the challenges ahead.
The Pilot Cities
Los Angeles, California // Seattle, Washington // Chicago, Illinois // Cleveland, Ohio // Albuquerque, New Mexico
New Orleans, Louisiana // Portland, Oregon // Louisville, Kentucky // Austin, Texas // Charlotte, North Carolina // Denver, Colorado
International Partners
Canada managed by Music Policy Forum board member Kwende Kefentse // The United Kingdom managed by Music Venue Trust co-founder Mark Davyd

The inaugural reopening guide from the REVS initiative out of pilot city Austin, TX
Wednesday, May 6th, 2020
Live music is not only an essential part of the music industry, it is a central component of local economies across the United States. Not only does live music provide jobs, it supports complimentary businesses and is a major element in quality of life and civic engagement. Bringing live music back is an essential puzzle piece in reopening our society and economy.
Independent music venues understand this and are up for the challenge. At the same time, they recognize that these uncertain times carry additional responsibilities and costs. On one level, most venues were economically vulnerable even before the crisis and are working hard to pursue recovery funds to help stay afloat during the shutdown. More broadly, it is unrealistic, and in some ways irresponsible press, to blithely move ahead and assume venues will be in a position to open without an aggressive, integrated plan to anticipate the resources and strategies necessary to successfully -- and safely -- reopen our live music economy.
These are difficult months ahead for the live music industry - a deeply interconnected web of business relationships that are threatened by the economic impact of the shutdown. Music Cities Together and our partners strongly support efforts to provide significant, targeted economic support for music venues and related businesses during the shutdown.
CITIES & LEADERSHIP

LOS ANGELES LEADERSHIP
Ben Johnson // Performing Arts Program Director, City of Los Angeles
Photo by Sterling Davis

SEATTLE
LEADERSHIP
Kate Becker // Creative Economy Director, Office of King County Executive Dow Constantine
Scott Plusquellec // Nightlife Business Advocate, Seattle Office of Film + Music
Dena Morris // Former President, Washington Global Health Alliance
Photo by MILKOVÍ

CHICAGO
LEADERSHIP
Chris Bauman // Founder & President, Zenith Music Group
Photo by Lance Anderson

CLEVELAND LEADERSHIP
Megan Van Voorhis // President & CEO, Arts Cleveland
Photo by Stephen Leonardi

ALBUQUERQUE LEADERSHIP
Brandon Gibson // Recreation Services, City of Albuquerque
Hakim Bellamy // Poet
Photo by Kyle Hinkson

NEW ORLEANS LEADERSHIP
Ashlye Keaton // Co-Founder, The Ella Project
Photo by Aya Salman

PORTLAND LEADERSHIP
Meara McLaughlin // Executive Director, MusicPortland
Kayode Balogun (DJ Ambush) // Chair of the Music Policy Council
Photo by peter bucks

LOUISVILLE LEADERSHIP
Zach Davis // Vice President of Destination Services, The Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Nicole Twigg // Vice President of Tourism Development, The Louisville Convention & Visitors Bureau
Photo by govtech

AUSTIN
LEADERSHIP
Erica Shamaly // Division Manager, Music & Entertainment of Austin, TX
Stephanie Bergara // Artist & Industry Development, Music & Entertainment of Austin, TX
Brian Block // Entertainment Services Manager, Music & Entertainment of Austin, TX
Photo by Carlos Alfonso

CHARLOTTE LEADERSHIP
Rick Thurmond // Senior Vice President, Community & Economic Development, Charlotte Center City
Photo by Clay Banks

DENVER
LEADERSHIP
Lisa Gedgaudas // Program Administrator, Denver Arts & Venues
Chris Zacher // CEO & Executive Director, Levitt Pavilion
Photo by Cassie Gallegos
Get In Touch
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