{"id":173853,"date":"2021-02-09T04:48:37","date_gmt":"2021-02-09T01:48:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/nyc-comedy-club-owner-slams-cuomos-pop-up-performance-plan\/"},"modified":"2021-02-09T04:48:37","modified_gmt":"2021-02-09T01:48:37","slug":"nyc-comedy-club-owner-slams-cuomos-pop-up-performance-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/nyc-comedy-club-owner-slams-cuomos-pop-up-performance-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"#NYC comedy club owner slams Cuomo’s \u2018pop-up\u2019 performance plan"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#NYC comedy club owner slams Cuomo’s \u2018pop-up\u2019 performance plan<\/strong>”
\n<\/p>\n

\n

A Big App<\/a>le comedy club owner thinks Gov. Andrew Cuomo\u2019s sudden plan to jump-start the local entertainment industry is a joke.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought it was an \u2018Onion\u2019 piece at first,\u201d said Dani Zoldan, co-owner of Upper West Side comedy club Stand Up NY.<\/p>\n

The governor on Monday announced an upcoming program of star-studded \u201cpop-up\u201d performances everywhere from subway platforms to local parks, many of which will be free of charge.<\/p>\n

But Zoldan said struggling independent venues like his have already been organizing similar outdoor events during the coronavirus pandemic \u2014 only illegally.<\/p>\n

\u201cOutdoor shows aren\u2019t even allowed [but] we\u2019ve been doing it anyway, because we have nothing to lose,\u201d said Zoldan.<\/p>\n

His club has produced more than 500 outdoor events in parks across Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens since May and hosts shows every Saturday night on the 1 Train.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve proven that we\u2019ve been able to do it safely,\u201d said Zoldan. \u201cAnd then [Cuomo] goes and announces this plan to create all this outdoor programming free of charge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not showing consideration for independent venues that are struggling to survive,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Instead of organizing performances, the state should \u201cbe working with venues directly to figure out how they can safely reopen,\u201d Zoldan said.<\/p>\n

Still, despite his critique of the program, Zoldan allowed that \u201cI guess it\u2019s good for New Yorkers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe more entertainment the better,\u201d he said. \u201cNew Yorkers need to be entertained.\u201d<\/p>\n

The state says the \u201cNY\u00a0PopsUp\u201d festival, which begins Feb. 20, will serve as a \u201cpilot program\u201d and create New York\u2019s \u201cfirst large-scale model for how to bring live performance back safely\u201d after the COVID-19 shutdown.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you shut down Broadway, when you shut down movie theaters, you shut down an entire economy,\u201d Cuomo said at a press briefing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo we\u2019re going to accelerate [their] reopening with 300 pop-up arts [performances] across the state.\u201d<\/p>\n

Charlotte St. Martin, president of the Broadway League, welcomed the program.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a thrill any time we can get the talented creatives and artists of our community back to work,\u201d she said in a statement. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to keep Broadway front of mind while we are still unable to be in theatres. This industry is vital to NYC\u2019s economy and brand and a key part of the city\u2019s comeback.\u201d<\/p>\n

She added: \u201cWe think it\u2019s a great idea that these amazing entertainers will bring the joy of the theatre to our city, our state and our fans.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the city will be offering a\u00a0new free permit for outdoor street performances<\/a>\u00a0by struggling groups like theaters.<\/p>\n

The new \u201cOpen Culture\u201d permits, which start March 1, will allow for 50-person events and will be given to qualified \u201cart and cultural institutions\u201d such as theaters that receive arts funding.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cAs you see the city come back to life, culture will lead the way,\u201d de Blasio told reporters at a separate press conference.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, we will be bringing our cultural community back to the greatest stage in the world, the streets of New York City.\u201d\n <\/p><\/div>\n