(Above image via wemakeevents.org)
ORLANDO | We Make Events North America — a coalition of trade bodies, businesses, unions and live events workers — will be lighting as many as 1,500 buildings nationwide in red as a part of Red Alert RESTART, an event to raise awareness about the economic plight on the live events industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Red Alert RESTART, which will take place Sept. 1 from 9 p.m.-12 a.m., not only hopes to raise public awareness that “Live Events Industry is on Red Alert for its very survival” but also to create congressional pressure to pass the RESTART Act, which will offer economic relief to the industry that has been shuttered since March.
“This is an important cause that, if not acted upon immediately, could result in the complete collapse of our industry and the workers who make it possible,” said Brad Nelms, director of We Make Events North America, in a press release. “The results from the UK efforts were outstanding. We’re hoping that we can generate at least double the participation to demonstrate how much impact this shutdown has had and will continue to have.”
Several buildings across Central Florida and Tampa Bay will participate by lighting up in red.
“We are so grateful to the building owners in Orlando who have committed to participating and we are in active discussions with many others who have expressed interest,” Cosmo Wilson, an Orlando-based lighting designer and director who has worked with more than 40 acts including AC/DC, Aerosmith and The Rolling Stones, said in a press release. “It’s our goal to light up as many buildings as possible to help raise awareness about the Restart Act.”
Participating buildings in Orlando include Amway Center, Camping World Stadium, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Empire Building, Exploria Stadium/Orlando City Soccer Club, Solaire at the Plaza, The Waverly on Lake Eola, 200 South Orange Avenue (former SunTrust Tower) and Winter Park Playhouse.
Tampa’s Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa Theater and Yuengling Center, as well as St. Petersburg’s Mahaffey Theater – Duke Energy Center for the Arts will all participate in the Tampa Bay area.
Along with lighting up more than 60 U.S. cities in red, We Make Events will also stream Red Alert Live beginning at 9 p.m. ET on Facebook and YouTube. The streaming event will include video footage and live interviews.
Viewers can also show their support by posting a red-tinted photo of their favorite live event to social media and contacting their members of Congress. You can tint your photo red and find more information on getting involved by going to WeMakeEvents.org.
“This is our opportunity to show the world the scale of what it really takes to make events possible,” Nelms said.
