Source: United States Senator for Minnesota Amy Klobuchar
Klobuchar led the bipartisan Save Our Stages Act with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) which helped independent venues stay afloat during the pandemic
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) announced that Dayna Frank will be her virtual guest to President Biden’s State of the Union address. Frank is the owner and CEO of First Avenue, an independent organization that owns and operates eight entertainment venues throughout the Twin Cities, and is the National Independent Venue Association Board President. Klobuchar successfully led the bipartisan efforts to support independent performance venues through pandemic hardships by securing over $16 billion in emergency grant funding.
“Live venues were among the first businesses to close down from the pandemic and the last to reopen. As I worked to pass the Save Our Stages Act, Dayna Frank was a crucial partner in fighting to ensure independent venues could stay afloat, including our beloved First Avenue,” said Klobuchar. “Dayna helped keep businesses open, workers employed, and music alive for communities in our state and across the country. I’m excited to have her as my virtual guest to President Biden’s State of the Union to highlight the work we’ve done to help small businesses get back on their feet.”
“I’m honored to join Senator Klobuchar as her virtual guest for the State of the Union. When the pandemic hit, small independent music venues throughout the country were in real danger of closing permanently, harming local economies from small towns in rural America to the largest cities,” said Dayna Frank. “Senator Klobuchar heard our call and worked tirelessly across the aisle to pass the Save Our Stages Act. This crucial emergency funding helped us persevere through an incredibly trying time, and now I am proud to say First Avenue is open for business and serving the community we love, bringing back jobs, and welcoming fans by the tens of thousands.”
Senator Klobuchar’s bipartisan Save Our Stages Act, which was co-led by Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) was enacted into law in December 2020. The legislation created the Shuttered Venues Operating grant program to help independent performance venues, museums, and theaters survive the pandemic and continue paying their employees. Additional funding for the Shuttered Venues Operating grant program was passed as part of the American Rescue Plan that was signed by President Biden in March 2021. The bipartisan legislation gained more than 50 cosponsors in the Senate, and the House version of Save our Stages, led by Representatives Peter Welch (D-VT) and Roger Williams (R-TX), gained over 170 cosponsors. Since its enactment, the Save Our Stages Act has helped over 250 Minnesota venues and organizations, including First Avenue.
Frank organized a coalition of independent organizations, performers and promoters across the country to advocate for relief for independent venues through the National Independent Venue Association. The Star Tribune named Frank the 2021 ‘Arts Person of the Year’ for her efforts to support the performing arts industry,
Last August, Frank joined Senator Klobuchar for an event at First Avenue to highlight how the Save Our Stages Act benefited Minnesota’s independent venues.
A Twin Cities fixture since 1970, First Avenue has served as a launching pad for Minnesota artists such as Prince, Lizzo, and Hippo Campus.
President Biden will deliver the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on March 1 at 9:00 p.m EST/8:00 p.m. CST.
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