Downtown Mobile turned red Tuesday night as local venues joined a coast-to-coast lighting demonstration aimed at drawing attention to an industry fighting for survival during the coronavirus pandemic.
Part of a 1,500-Building Nationwide Action
Mobile’s participants included the Alabama Contemporary Art Center, GulfQuest museum, The Steeple, Alabama Music Box, and The Merry Widow. They were among as many as 1,500 buildings across North America lit in red as part of the #WeMakeEvents Red Alert campaign, which organizers hoped would create pressure on Congress to deliver relief for entertainment workers and venues.
The North American action followed a similar day in the United Kingdom on August 11, when more than 700 buildings glowed red for the same cause.
An Industry Nearly Shuttered
The stakes behind the lights were stark. Industry estimates put roughly 96% of live events workers — as many as 12 million people — out of work, furloughed, or down to a fraction of their normal income since concerts and events shut down. The world’s largest concert promoters reported revenue losses near 98% since the pandemic began.
For Mobile’s music halls and cultural venues, the campaign was a visible reminder that stages have stayed dark and crews, sound engineers, bartenders, and performers have had little to fall back on while gatherings remain limited.