Thank You Congressman Mike Quigley!

Top Row, Left to Right: Jo (Berlin), Joe Shanahan (Metro), Jim Newcomb (Old Town School of Folk Music), Jim (Berlin), Rep. Quigley, Jennifer Estlin (Annoyance), Jim Weber (North Bar), Allan Chambers (Athenaeum), Chadd Kline (Metro), Tim Tuten (Hideout) 
Bottom Row, Left to Right: John Stoops (The Revival), Maren Rosenberg (Escape Artistry), Katie Tuten (Hideout), Tiffany Keane Schaefer (Otherworld Theatre), Chris Bauman (Patio Theater), Troy Hansbrough (Old Town School of Folk Music), Robert Gomez (Beat Kitchen/Subterranean)

Berlin had the honor last week to host a Thank You Event for Congressman Mike Quigley (@RepMikeQuigley), his staff Erica Reardon, Allison Jarus, Charlie Chamness, along with many of our friends in the Chicago music, theater and comedy scene . The venue owners pictured here from the Congressman's district were able to acknowledge he and his staff's unwavering support to get “Save Our Stages” legislation (now SVOG) through Congress. 

NIVA (National Independent Venue Association) a newly formed organization in February of 2020 representing independent music, comedy, and theater venues, festivals and promoters were able to successfully lobby for Covid relief on behalf of shuttered venues across the United States. Congressman Quigley was among the first to recognize the plight of this group and to understand the economic drivers these small arts venues were in their local communities. In addition these venues serve as the training ground and entry point for artists across the country. “Save Our Stages” is the largest funding program to the independent Arts community in the history of the United States. We as venues across the country say a huge Thank You, as without bipartisan leadership like his, and the funding it created, most small venues like Berlin would never have survived Covid.

In addition to thanking the Congressman and his staff, we want to give a huge HATS OFF to our supporters who heeded our cry for help and took a few valuable moments, and through NIVA, or on their own, sent the message to Congress that “Save Our Stages” required their support. With your help we had over 2 Million messages sent to Congress (this was unheard of by most in DC from most organizations let alone a new organization) asking for support for your favorite independent venues. The members of NIVA Illinois are proud to say that Illinois sent the second highest number of messages to Congress, preceded only by New York! 

Thank you for your overwhelming support! And remember Congressman Quigley was there for us when we needed him!

Jim & Jo
The Berlin Staff & Artists