• Save Our Stages Act would provide relief to indie concert venues, promoters,

It took nine months, during which Pittsburgh lost the Rex Theater and Brillobox, but local concert venues and promoters are finally getting some relief.

The $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress on Monday includes the Save Our Stages Act, providing a $15 billion Small Business Administration grant program for independent establishments.

Introduced in July by Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., and House Reps. Peter Welch, DVermont, and Roger Williams, R-Texas, it provides assistance to local businesses such as Drusky Entertainment, Jergel’s, Roxian Theatre, Mr. Smalls Theatre, Spirit, Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall, Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall, The Smiling Moose and Opus One Productions.

“This is the lifeline our industry so desperately needs to emerge from a devastating year,” said Dayna Frank, owner and CEO of First Avenue Productions and board president of the National Independent Venue Association. “Without independent venues and promoters across the country working to engage their communities, staff and artists, our voices would not have been heard — we are thankful for those tireless efforts. Careers came to a standstill overnight, and people continue to face personal hardships, which is why legislation like this and extending Pandemic Unemployment Assistance is essential.”

The legislation provides a grant equal to 45% of gross revenue from 2019, with a cap of $10 million per entity.

Promoter Brian Drusky, the local representative of the National Independent Venue Association, said in a statement: “This is truly a godsend that Save Our Stages was included in this next stimulus package. We can’t thank Congress enough, as some venues have closed and some were just hanging onto the last shred of hope counting their nickels and dimes and maxing out credit cards, to help keep their lifelong dream alive.”

The grassroots Save Our Stages campaign was backed by such stars as the Foo Fighters, Miley Cyrus, Dave Matthews, The Roots and The Lumineers, who were part of the virtual #SOSFest on YouTube in October that raised more than $1.8 million.

In Congress, Save Our Stages had 230 bipartisan co-sponsors, including Sen. Bob Casey, DPa., Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Mt. Lebanon, and Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills.

“This definitely helps bridge the gap between now and when we can fully reopen and get back to normal. I am glad they thought about the extension of PUA,” Mr. Drusky said. “There are thousands of people in this industry and many industries barely getting by now because they don’t have jobs to go to because of the closures.”