COVID-19 Update: March 27, 2020: Stimulus Bill Passes

After a delay caused by Representative Thomas Massie, Republican, of Kentucky, the stimulus bill has passed the House. President Trump has now signed the stimulus bill: plasa.me/t1cvu.

Now that the bill is passed, what will you get out of it? bit.ly/2wIjfsb.

If you're wondering when your tour or live production might resume, the film industry has all the same questions: bit.ly/3apRseK.

Bruno Mars has donated $1 million to the MGM Resorts assistance fund: bit.ly/2WMSEoH.

Broadway remains uncertain about when it can reopen: bit.ly/2R5Qop1.

Meanwhile, the Broadway community moves to make needed supplies, including sewers who are making protective gear for doctors: bit.ly/33PcIrW. It's part of the Broadway Relief Project, which also works to connect manufacturers with government agencies to make supplies: www.openjarstudios.com/broadwayrelief.

PixMob has joined the mobilization effort: First, the team created the SafeWatch wristband, which assists in protecting essential services workers by helping reduce the spread of viruses in the workplace. It will be offered as of Friday, March 27 for all companies providing an essential service to the population. The first deliveries are scheduled for April 6. Second, the PixMob team is developing Triago, a solution that uses connected objects to quickly locate patients, caregivers, and equipment in hospitals. This solution is based on the existing platform behind klik, a technology that has already been proven in more than 300 global corporate events and is therefore ready to deploy immediately. Finally, thanks to expertise in the mass production of several types of products, PixMob has converted its supply and assembly lines to develop and produce equipment to protect medical personnel. The first piece of equipment resulting from this initiative is a protective face shield. Nearly 20,000 protective face shields are already available and in the next week, PixMob foresees a production capacity of 5,000 to 10,000 units per day. Other types of protective equipment may also be produced in the coming weeks.

Sadly, the conoravirus claims another prominent member of the New York theatre community. Actor Mark Blum was 69: bit.ly/33Py0FT.

The latest from industry companies:

Astera has launched Astera Academy, offering webinars about its products: www.astera-led.com/academy.

Barco is offering training sessions at bit.ly/3ap71mX, demos at bit.ly/2UlxPPA.

NAMM and Gantom Lighting have created an online event to help attraction professionals navigate these uncertain times. The first virtual attractions conference is this weekend, March 28 and 29 to discuss the impact of COVID-19 and network with fellow industry professionals. The goals of this free, virtual conference include:
"* To bring conversation about COVID-19 into the forefront. These are conversations we need to have about our community.
"* To show people they are not alone.
"* To combat the growing panic by connecting people in a constructive way."

Visit Virtually Prepared: A FREE Conference for Attraction Professionals at www.namm.org/covid-19/articles/virtually-prepared-free-conference-attraction to see the agenda, learn more about the speakers, and register.

Pangolin is presenting a series of "quick hint" videos, offering tips on how to best use its products: bit.ly/3dJ6HBM. The company is also offering live streams on its Facebook page biweekly on Thursdays at 2:00pm EST.

Powersoft is presenting online training sessions for Deva multimedia units. Go to bit.ly/39pzRT5.

Sennheiser is presenting a series of free webinars at www.sennheiser.com/webinars.

Of course, the cancellations continue:

New York City Ballet has cancelled its spring season: bit.ly/39pyuDV.

New York's Café Carlyle, top cabaret venue, is closed through June 20: bit.ly/3btofzM.

Oregon Shakespeare Festival is closing until September and laying of 80% of its staff. According to a press release, "The effect on the organization's finances has forced OSF to lay off approximately 80% of its full time-staff, artists, and seasonal workers in order to mitigate additional losses. All laid-off company members with current OSF health benefits will have them fully paid for two additional months, with many expected to return to OSF when programming resumes."

More entertainment opportunities:

3 Legged Dog, the downtown presenter/producer with an emphasis on technological innovation, is streaming a full-length dance piece by the Taiwanese artist Huang Yi at vimeo.com/139965638.

The organization Global Citizen is presenting many performances by top music artists as part of its Together at Home series. The lineup includes Chris Martin, Hozier, Common, and John Legend. Scroll down to the bottom of this story to find links to performances: bit.ly/3dvhNKq.

Feinstein's/54 Below, another of New York's top cabaret venues, is offering streams of some of the many acts that have played there: www.youtube.com/54Below

Ailey All Access, a new service from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, will offer streamed performances: www.alvinailey.org/ailey-all-access.

Fresh off of the success of The Actors Fund's partnership with Rosie O'Donnell that raised over $600,000, The Actors Fund is teaming up with Schitt's Creek star Emily Hampshire for a new weekly live-streamed talk-show Humpday with Hampshire. It debuts on the fund's YouTube channel on April 1: bit.ly/2WMycnL. Go there now and see performances from the series Stars in the House.