Mayor Peduto taking steps to help local entertainment, music venues struggling during COVID-19 pandemic

PITTSBURGH — It's too soon to grasp the full impact of the coronavirus crisis , but it's clear that local entertainment and music venues, including artists, are hurting.

“We have our fixed costs — Insurance, utilities. They don’t go away and this is a 35,000-square foot building. The costs continue even when there is absolutely no revenue coming in,” said Maggie Forbes, executive director of Andrew Carnegie Music Hall.

The Andrew Carnegie Music Hall in Carnegie is a historical landmark and is host to numerous performances throughout the year from local and regional artists.

Opening night here turned into closing night on March 13th, when venues like this were ordered to close, costing them close to $100,000 in ticket revenue.

“We are bracing ourselves for a long, slow recovery. Nobody is really saying getting back to normal but getting to whatever the new level is,” Forbes said.

Have questions about the spread of the coronavirus? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak. CLICK HERE for more.

Help could be on the way. Mayor Bill Peduto announced on Thursday he has issued a letter to U.S. congressional leadership in support of three bills that would offer relief to these venues that are in danger of permanent closure.

In a press release, Peduto said in part:

"Art, music, and entertainment are historically woven into the rich cultural fabric of Pittsburgh. There's no price you can put on their cultural value for our neighborhood and our city, but there is a price we can put on making sure they don't go under."

The National Independent Venue Association, or NIVA, has supported the Carnegie Music Hall during its hardship as well.

“It’s hard to make your voice heard if you’re acting alone. We really appreciate what NIVA has done but also what Mayor Peduto is doing because this is a fairly theater-rich town,” Forbes said.

AHN, Mayor Peduto’s office team up to address challenges for homeless during COVID-19 pandemic AHN, Mayor Peduto’s office team up to address challenges for homeless during COVID-19 pandemic

Cox Media Group