Festivals Without Borders

WITH ROBERT BAIRD

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO GO BACK INTO THE WATER

There is a buoyant mood in America as the country starts to re-open, but, while the pandemic is slowly getting under control, there are indications that a cautious approach to a new normal is wise. We need to get back to a semblance of normality but we need to do it carefully and considerately. Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the water, there are still metaphorical sharks out there. Among the considerations are: 1. Is continued use of masks in indoor settings a good idea? 2. Is physical distancing still a good idea for your venue or festival?

At a time when the situation is still unresolved in many ways, dealing with an audience made up of fully-vaccinated patrons, children who have yet to be vaccinated and adults who cannot get vaccinated for medical or other reason is going to be a challenge. Another consideration will be the mental state of audiences and the willingness to attend events after such a traumatic period for both society and individuals over the past many months. We have all seen the increasing awareness of inequities in society in such movements as “Black Lives Matter” and more, and this awareness will be reflected in our audiences and their expectations for increased sensitivity to these matters in the performing arts world.

Many festivals and venues assumed that since the pandemic was more or less under control, that programming of events for the summer and fall of 2021 could proceed. And, in fact some events have proceeded in the desire to ramp up artistic activities once again. Unfortunately, not is all as it was before the pandemic.

International travel into the United States is still not allowed for foreign nationals from certain countries and travelers who can enter the United States need to have had a negative COVID test no later than three days prior to travel. Unfortunately, U.S. Consulates and Embassies around the world are backlogged with literally tens of thousands of visa requests and even if an artist has a work permit from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, they are currently unable in many jurisdictions to get an entry visa into the United States. I know of many artists who have secured work permits to tour the United States, only to find that they are unable to get Consular Appointments for entry visas and many tours have had to be cancelled as a result.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation in the United States and especially, the increasing prevalence of the Delta variant. It is likely that the United States borders will remain closed until the CDC advises that it is safe to open them, or safe to open them under certain restrictions. Until then it would be prudent to plan far in advance, rather than counting on borders opening up to travel into the United States any time soon.

Having said all of this, we cannot help but feel more positive as to the final outcome. Our scientists developed vaccines that are highly effective in an unbelievably accelerated timeline, even against variants in COVID-19, and we see people gathering once more to share in activities which delight and inspire. We have started to put our toes back into the water, knowing that the “sharks” will soon be dispelled or at least tamed sufficiently to allow us a sense of security. And, once our toes are in the water, it won’t be much longer until we can once again safely go swimming.

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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