Buildings and Venues Across Cleveland Light Up Red for 'Red Alert RESTART'

Buildings and venues across Cleveland donned the glow of red lights on Tuesday night to raise awareness for the devastation that COVID-19 has caused the live event and entertainment industry.

The lights were part of the #RedAlertRESTART initiative from We Make Events, a coalition that includes many businesses and workers in the entertainment industry. This event was inspired by a UK event that lit up 715 buildings and a barge on the Thames River.

According to We Make Events, 95% of live events have been canceled due to the global pandemic, causing job losses and the loss of income for so many. COVID-19 has affected everyone from stage managers and bartenders to musicians, comedians, and actors.

Greg Harris, president and CEO of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, stated, "This shutdown has been hard on everybody. Make no mistake about it, every single sector has felt it. The live music industry, venues, performing arts places, they have really felt it."

A road comedian, Mary Santora, said, "It went from, you know, six nights a week, traveling every other weekend to gone, absolutely nothing."

Over 1,500 venues and buildings across the United States were lit up to raise awareness.

Photo Credit: Jay Kossman