Victoria jazz club seeks help surviving latest pandemic wave after 40 years in operation
One of Victoria’s iconic music venues is reaching out, asking for financial help from its loyal followers and patrons.
Hermann’s Jazz Club has been showcasing local, national, and international blues and jazz musicians for over 40 years in B.C.'s capital.
Recent COVID-19 restrictions have forced the jazz club, which has a restaurant and ticketed venue licence, to operate at 50 per cent capacity.
The reduced capacity plus surging COVID-19 cases means in-person ticket sales have been decimated as of late, leaving the club scrambling to keep the lights on.
Hermann’s has been livestreaming concerts by donation since the beginning of the pandemic, as well as hosting live audiences as permitted by B.C. health regulations.
But the club says revenue streams have dwindled in the past two months, and government subsidies aren't enough, leaving management no choice but to turn to the public for help.
"It’s our first and only appeal through the pandemic," says Ashley Wey, manager and artistic director at Hermann’s Jazz Club.
"This wave has hit us the hardest and what we are asking for really is support to help us with operational capital to help us be able to pay staff and get food to serve."
Wey says the appeal is a short-term measure and will help keep musicians working
"We’re all really worried about the artists and how they are going to pay rent, but also the venues have been hit so heavily, it’s really tough to keep going."
Hermann’s Jazz Club is run by the Arts on View Society, which was incorporated in December 2016 for the purpose of preserving the iconic jazz club.
The society’s goal is to enhance the public’s appreciation of jazz music through all-ages live performances.
Wey first started coming to the club at the age of nine with her dad, who was friends with Hermann, and later became a musician and entertainer herself, travelling around the world performing.
She continues to perform at the club as well as mange it, saying it’s like her second home – and for the community, a cultural center.
The cause is close to her heart.
"We aren’t planning on shutting down, but this is a cry right now from us asking the community for support and donations to keep us going."
If you want to support Hermann’s Jazz Club and the musicians that perform there, donations can be made through the Arts on View Society.
For more information on Hermann’s Jazz Club, upcoming concerts, or livestreaming events, visit the club's website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.