NYC Nightlife United launches emergency fund

NYC Nightlife United is a new emergency fund aiming to provide financial relief for cultural centres and the nightlife community - such as musicians, comedians, sound techs, bar staff and DJs - who are struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.

The project is being led by Brooklyn spot Friends and Lovers and promoter and publication AdHoc Presents, with a number of other New York nightlife people and organisations involved. They are looking to raise funds through corporate sponsorships and donations.

Non-profit The Solo Foundation is on board to ensure funds can be distributed smoothly.

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Friends and Lovers owner Diana Mora said: “No one can deny that nightlife is culture. This forum for self-expression influences art, music, fashion and brands. If you think about music especially, it is the most powerful passion point. It’s the original social network, transcending every barrier— socioeconomic, distance and language. That's why protecting this rare resource that defines the spirit of NY is so important.”

AdHoc Presents owner Ric Leichtung said: “Businesses in live music need immediate aid and face challenges unique to our industry, but there were no relief programs made just for us. We’re fiercely independent people who tap into our community to make the changes we want to see happen. When there’s no road paved for us, we make the concrete.”

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Ariel Palitz, Senior Executive Director of the Office of Nightlife at the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, said: “In order to find our way through this crisis, everyone must band together in unprecedented ways, and venues, promoters, and entertainers are coming together through important new organizations such as NYC Nightlife United to look out for each other in this time of need."

Head to nycnightlifeunited.com for further details and to donate.

Patrick Hinton is Mixmag's Digital Features Editor, follow him on Twitter