FESTIVALS WITHOUT BORDERS

WITH ROBERT BAIRD

A HOPEFUL SNAPSHOT OF NORTH AMERICA

Outside of my log home north of Toronto, the birds continue to sing, the garden continues to grow and the chipmunks scurry across the driveway incessantly. Life seems quite normal in my little “bubble.” The world beyond my property, however, is completely altered. COVID-19 has changed many things: There are fewer people about, everyone wears a mask and keeps social distancing, and doing the simplest of things has become difficult. There is always the tension of being near other people (will I contract COVID- 19?), wearing a mask whenever one goes indoors (don’t touch the mask!), paying for goods (will they accept cash or credit card only?) and always planning in advance so as to minimize the number of trips needed to keep supplies stocked up, getting the mail, doing banking, etc. It is amazing that ordinary life could so rapidly become so difficult.

As the pandemic progressed, we have had to deal with the outbreak of cases in more vulnerable sectors of our population such as patients in long-term care facilities, the homeless who have nowhere to go except the street, and the less affluent who have to endure crowded living conditions and fewer resources to cope with enforced unemployment, either through personal sickness or the loss of jobs caused by the pandemic shutdowns.

In the performing arts world, nothing is as it was. Conferences where we all used to gather are now being organized virtually, with a few exceptions. Mainstream artists in popular music and tribute acts are no longer able to tour and festivals worldwide have shut down. Concerts as we knew them are a thing of the past: now masking and social distancing are required for artists and audience alike and this severely affects what groups can perform and to what size audience. Planning for an uncertain future when the course of the pandemic is unknown becomes a task based on a “wing and a prayer.”

Generally, it is a waiting game with interim measures being instituted to bridge the effects of the pandemic on the performing arts world until people can once more gather to be entertained and/or edified by artistic performers. One unfortunate consequence of being unable to function normally means that many artists, agencies, conferences, festivals and venues simply will not be able to survive and, when the smoke clears, the landscape will be significantly altered.

Coping with the new normal is underway. Artists have turned to virtual performances and there are literally thousands of opportunities to access artists on the internet. Listings of upcoming performances are available from many organizations and there are new initiatives begun which provide artists with a platform for performance and an opportunity to earn some income from virtual performances. Exclusive virtual performances have been contracted by some venues. Venues have shut down and have had to consider options for either shuttering until performances can happen or offering alternatives for garnering income, e.g. small groups meetings, streaming performances to socially-distanced, mask-wearing audiences, etc. Venues able to remain open have to adhere to stringent health measures to ensure the safety of artists, audience and staff in this pandemic. All venues are making every effort possible to maintain their relationships with subscribers and supporters. Agencies have furloughed staff, relocated to more economically-viable geographical areas, or changed their focus to the promotion of virtual performances for their artists. Drive-in concerts have been undertaken in several jurisdictions with great success. The Mayo Performing Arts Center in New Jersey hosted 150 socially-distanced vehicles viewing a live performance onstage with rock keyboardist John Ginty and his band. The event was held at a local farm.

The good news is that we are in a creative field and dealing with the vicissitudes of life is simply something with which we have to cope. Historically, the arts have always been in a state of flux as society’s institutions and expectations changed. The heyday of big bands or lounge pianists passed away long ago as society’s tastes and routines were affected by new generations and the historical and societal events which shaped them. Having to perform with fewer people to smaller audiences under COVID-19 restrictions is simply another societal crisis with which artists have to cope.

The fact that artists are flexible and creative under adverse circumstances is a testament to their commitment to artistic expression and a harbinger of a glorious return to a multitude of live performance around the world when the pandemic ultimately comes under control and everyone feels confident in a return to being with crowds in confined spaces.

Until then, we await the day when artists will grace our stages once more!

Robert Baird is President of BAM! Baird Artists Management Consulting in Toronto, Canada and an acknowledged expert in international touring including visas, withholding and taxation. He offers free advice to artists, agents, managers and venues and has an international clientele. He served for many years on the Executive Board of Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) and is a former Vice-President of that organization. He can be reached at: P: 1-800-867-3281 E: robert@bairdartists.com or for more information go to: www.bairdartists.com

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