INDUSTRY
New York Venues Receive Green Light to Open at Capacity—But Must Ask for Proof of Vaccination
In a wide-ranging speech from the stage at Radio City Music Hall, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo explained that within the next month venues will begin operating at full capacity provided they request proof of vaccination from attendees. IQ reports that on June 19th, Radio City will open at full capacity and attendees will be required to present a vaccine passport—likely New York’s Excelsior Pass—in order to enter the venue. Cuomo explained his view that attendance scalability is predicated upon the amount of tickets allocated to vaccinated patrons. “I encourage [private venues] to have a high percentage available for vaccinated people,” he said. “Radio City is going to be 100%, I encourage that, because that’s an incentive for people to get vaccina...
Hollywood Bowl to Prioritize Fully Vaccinated Attendees Under New 67% Capacity Cap
Nearly 40% of adults in the United States have now been fully vaccinated, paving the way to a promising future of live events in 2021. And, with the CDC’s recent announcement that these individuals no longer need to wear masks outdoors, venues are adjusting their COVID-19 safety measures to match. Leading the way is the Hollywood Bowl after releasing an updated Safety Information breakdown on May 20th. According to these new protocols, fully vaccinated event attendees will be given priority access to seating at the venue, which will operate at 67% of its usual capacity. To be considered “fully vaccinated,” patrons must be two weeks past their final dose of the vaccine and be able to present either physical or digital documentation, the Bowl’s website stat...
Mass Gatherings Are No More Risky Than Shopping, According to Study
According to data gathered by the United Kingdom government’s Event Research Programme, mass gatherings and events without COVID-19 safety measures—like social distancing and face coverings—are no riskier than retail shopping or eating at a restaurant. Pilot events were held in Liverpool over the May Bank Holiday weekend without those safety regulations in place. Additional events like the FA Cup final and the 2021 BRIT Awards took place, with admission granted only to those with negative COVID-19 test results. A large crowd at a Fabric London event. Fabric London “We are still waiting for the final bits of data but the results so far have been very encouraging,” a government representative told The Times. “It will help make the case that these large events are not i...
Nigerian government determined to eradicate poverty, unemployment – minister
The federal government has reiterated its determination to eradicate poverty as well as tackling unemployment in the country to the barest minimum, saying its many programmes designed to tackle the issues have had tremendous success. The government said the alarming rate of out-of-school children witnessed some years ago had considerably reduced due mainly to some of its initiatives, among which it said, was the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme. The government’s position came as it inaugurated an expanded committee on National Home Grown School Feeding Programme with a task on members to make meaningful contributions to stamp the problems out of the country. Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, speaking at the event i...
France’s Nightlife Sector Remains Shuttered While Strip Clubs Reopen
As France continues to ease pandemic restrictions Members of French Parliament are pointing out a perceived flaw in the government’s strategy: the decision to keep nightclubs closed while reopening swinger’s clubs. May 19th marks the next milestone on France’s path to normalcy as movie theaters, retail locations, and museums have been given the green light to reopen, leaving nightclubs among the last types of establishments to still remain shut. France’s nightlife sector came to a screeching halt over 14 months ago and according to one MP, the closures have resulted in a loss of 45,000 jobs and counting. Blue Night Things get even messier with proper context, however, as May 19th will also allow many swinger’s clubs to reopen. This is due to the fa...
Red Rocks Amphitheatre to Offer COVID-19 Vaccinations During Concerts
Starting Thursday, concert-goers at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheatre will be able to receive COVID-19 vaccinations during select concerts. Westword reports that Denver’s cultural agency, Denver Arts & Venue, has joined forces with the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment to inoculate attendees onsite starting tomorrow, May 14th at Diplo and SIDEPIECE’s concert. Health officials at Red Rocks will administer the one-time Johnson & Johnson shot for anyone 18 and over. Fans who opt to get vaccinated will also receive an 80th anniversary Red Rocks t-shirt and a voucher for concessions. Offering 100 doses each night, the DDPHE is focusing on vaccinating younger concert-goers who may not have had access to the vaccine. Colorado’s iconic Red...
VP Osinbajo: Nigerian government democratising broadband connectivity
It’s the first in sub-Saharan Africa and one of the three such cutting-edge facilities on the continent, with top prime global certifications for smart card manufacturing and it is based in Lagos, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, relished yesterday afternoon while touring SecureID company’s premises, and affirmed Nigeria’s extremely bright economic future, which he said cannot be aborted despite current challenges. According to him, “the economic future of our nation is extremely bright. Yes, we have challenges today and they may look daunting. But let me assure you that these issues will be resolved. The march of this nation to its manifest destiny as Africa’s leading economic power will not be aborted. We are more than able to overcome.” An impressed Prof. Osinbajo said the Buhari Admi...
Lagos recovers N50 million over fraudulent real estate activities
The Lagos State Government on Tuesday said it had recovered more than N50 million from parties involved in illegal real estate transaction activities. Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Housing, made the disclosure during a news conference in Ikeja. It was to give account of activities in the housing sector for the 2nd year anniversary of the Sanwo-Olu-led administration of the Governor. Benson-Awoyinka said that the agency had successfully mediated in about 55 out of 150 petitions/complaints between property developers, landlords, potential tenants and tenants. She said that 50 cases were adjourned for further mediation while 40 were referred to appropriate agencies, with five cases in courts in Ketu, Ajah, Ikorodu, Gbagada and Yaba. The special advise...
Vaccine Passports Gain Traction as New York’s Economy Reopens
As the trend towards reopening has picked up steam in major metropolitan areas, nightlife’s “new normal” is beginning to come into focus. In the immediate short term, as venues and event organizers alike are adapting to navigating a post-vaccine environment, requiring vaccination passports is expected to become much more prevalent. Governor Andrew Cuomo recently announced that venues have been permitted to scale up to 33% capacity starting May 19th. This announcement comes as 37% of New York City residents have become fully vaccinated. Amid the successful vaccination campaign thus far, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio has painted a rosy outlook. “Our plan is to fully reopen New York City on July 1st. We are ready for stores to open, for businesses to open, offices, the...
Washington, D.C. to Lift Capacity Restrictions for Nightlife Venues This Summer
The trend towards reopening is rapidly picking up steam for the nightlife industry. Washington, D.C. is the latest major U.S. city to loosen pandemic restrictions on nightlife and entertainment venues. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in particular has gone even further, effectively putting a date on when capacity related restrictions could be lifted altogether. On May 21st, entertainment venues—including bars and nightclubs—will be allowed to operate at 50% scale, up from the current limit of 25% which was instated earlier this year. The new limits for nightlife venues align with Bowser’s recent directive for gyms, libraries, and retail locations, which were given the go-ahead to increase capacity on May 1st. Famed Washington, D.C. music venue Echostage. Echostag...
AEG Presents Launches New Sustainability Initiative, Climate Positive Touring
Global live events giant AEG Presents announced a new sustainability effort this Thursday, called Climate Positive Touring. With team members located across the organization’s various divisions, the initiative will primarily seek to reduce tour-related carbon emissions to net zero or better. It will work alongside AEG 1Earth, the business’s corporate sustainability program, which releases the company’s annual Sustainability Report. According to a press release, Climate Positive Touring is currently working on a data-focused Venue Environmental Survey in order to identify and inform new environmentally focused priorities and solutions. Additionally, the project has released the first installment of its Green Touring Guide. Its recommendations will actively shape the ...
