If you’re eager to rock out, you’re not alone. 

So are the entertainment companies that promote and bring concerts to Western New York. 

After Dark Entertainment brings shows to 37 venues around Western New York, from club-like settings with 200 people, to thousands at Canalside.

The owner says the company has been shut down since March, and it doesn’t look like it will get to reopen until mid-to-late-2021. 

He’s now calling on lawmakers to approve financial assistance to help the music industry for the long-term. 

“Everything they’re doing right now is looking out for the employees, which are great but the business owners take draws, take distributions, are not on payroll, and those factors weren’t taken into consideration. To save the jobs for the employees, we have to figure out how to save the business for the owner,” said After Dark Entertainment president Chris Ring. 

The National Independent Venue Association was formed during the pandemic, and is lobbying to help its 300 venues and promoters in New York State stay afloat.