Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
LA Venues Join National Movement To Avoid Closing Forever
OneWorld Comedy Night at Largo on April 29, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Angela Weiss/Getty Images)
This isn’t the first time Mark Flanagan, owner of the nightclub Largo at the Coronet Theater, has lived through tough political and economic times.
“I grew up in the '70s in Belfast, so this is not strange to me, to be in a lockdown,” he told KPCC’s Take Two. But three months after being one of the first businesses to close during the stay-at-home order, he estimates the Largo has lost about $300,000 in revenue. And his venue is far from the only one.
Flanagan is now one of the leaders behind the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), which is trying to raise funding and build an assistance program for theaters and concert spaces around the country.
“My goal is to represent all venues, whether they’re well-known and famous, or not,” he said, “so if and when we reopen, we’re not hit with unsurmountable bills that would cripple us immediately.”
He points to the world-famous Troubadour, which announced earlier this month that it’s in danger of closing and set up a GoFundMe page.
John Mulaney, Nasim Pedrad, Seaton Smith and Zack Pearlman at the "Mulaney" Premiere Event at Largo at the Coronet on September 4, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images for FOX)
NIVA’s goal is to encourage fans to donate to their local theaters and concert halls, in addition to asking their lawmakers to include venues in upcoming relief packages.
Sponsored message
But Flanagan says even with the help, it might not be until after a vaccine is developed, that he’s willing to reopen his own club’s doors. “I don’t want to risk any customer or any performer,” he said, noting the possibility of the virus making a resurgence in the fall.
Largo has been a top spot to see stand-up comedy since the mid-90s; some of the performers who have graced the stage includel John Mulaney, Ali Wong and Zach Galifianakis, among many others.
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH MARK FLANNAGAN BELOW:
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate now.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
