Onstage at The Cap: Sen. Chuck Schumer and owner Peter Shapiro // Photos by Dino Perrucci

On Thursday, April 1, Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer visited The Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, NY to maintain that there is indeed “Help On The Way” for independent music venues, thanks to the American Rescue Act.

“Independent venues, like theater, concert halls and cinemas are the beating heart of New York’s cultural life and a driving force in the economy,” Schumer said, beneath The Cap’s famous marquee. “These local businesses were among the first to shut down at the start of the pandemic, are struggling to stay afloat and will be among the last to fully reopen, costing jobs and leaving a giant hole in the fabric of our communities. Getting federal dollars into the hands of struggling small businesses, like independent venues in the lower Hudson Valley not only makes sense, but it’s the curtain call needed to keep live music venues like the Capitol Theatre going.”

Schumer held a similar conference in August 2020, flanked by LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy at New York City’s Baby’s All Right club.

The Save Our Stages Act was included in Congress’ $1.9 Trillion stimulus bill (previously mentioned as the American Rescue Act), which was signed by President Biden in March.

Read Relix‘s recent feature on David Weingarden, who was heavily involved in NIVA and the Save Our Stages initiative.