The organizers of the U.S. version of Independent Venue Week have shifted their direction to helping dozens of small clubs and music venues across the country with figuring out how to ride out widespread closures caused by the spread of the COVID-19 virus. New York-based Marauder Group held the first of a planned series of teleconference panels and discussions to give owners and operators around the country the opportunity to discuss the challenges they face from either outright closures of bars and restaurants or strict limits on the size of gatherings. Among the discussion topics: finding alternative business models with most performances canceled or indefinitely postponed, how to plan for a return to normal business at a still-unknown time, possible state and federal assistance programs to help with cash flow issues, and options for providing pay to employees and performers while no revenue is coming in. “If that achieved nothing… Continue Reading Small clubs band together to find a path to survival