SaskMusic launches second phase of Sask Venues Project to help out struggling industry

SaskMusic is back with its next phase in the Sask Venues Project, releasing eleven new, limited-edition T-shirts to support the industry.

This next phase is a continuation of the August fundraiser, which featured 13 smaller Saskatchewan venues. All proceeds go to the venue it supports.

Phase two includes nine venues, along with two other special edition T-shirts for sound techs and production crews in the province.

SaskMusic is facilitating the project, and its executive director Michael Dawson told 650 CKOM Tuesday the reason behind the additional two designs.

“We (at SaskMusic) recognize that there are so many people that work in the live music sector… who are effectively out of work until things start to return. This gives us an opportunity to raise some funds to give directly to those folks,” he explained.

Each T-shirt costs $30, and they were specifically designed by local graphic designers.

Shirts are available for pre-order until Oct. 16.

This phase also includes two shirts to support the event centre sound and lighting tech’s, along with others in the struggling industry. #LightUpLive pic.twitter.com/Wyscdg6aLm

— Brady Lang (@BradyLangSK) October 7, 2020

Emily Kohlert, or “Emily Only Design and Creative” as she goes by with her freelance business, designed the shirt for Coors Event Centre in Saskatoon.

Being a musician herself, Kohlert explained her design in a Monday interview with 650 CKOM.

“I have been to a number of shows at the Coors Event Centre and I felt like I understood their essence… I knew I wanted to invoke live music, (my) design features a guitar and I thought the name was kind of interesting,” she said, explaining the Coors brand along with the title of the event centre.

“I wanted to really dress up the text and make it really stand out as this really unique and cool, abstract (vibe) to it.”

Kohlert said she understands just how crucial it is through the pandemic, to support the industry which has struggled throughout.

“(Live event centres) build and support our community and contribute significantly to our economy. Live music is for everyone, (it’s) so incredibly universal… the support allows for musicians the time and space to compete on the world stage,” she said.

Dawson echoed those comments, and said on the Sask Venues Project website, SaskMusic also posted a resource for those looking to donate or find ways to support the industry.

“A lot of these venues are cultural institutions in our province and having the inability to run at full capacity is financially damning to some of them, or many of them,” he said.

Along with the Coors Event Centre, Saskatoon’s TCU Place is also featured. Regina’s O’Hanlons, T + A Vintage and the Fat Badger, along with rural locations and event centres featured as well. Shaunavon’s Harvest Eatery, Moose Jaw’s Mae Wilson Theatre, Range Line Tavern in Cadillac and the Grand Theatre in Indian Head round out the featured T-shirt designs.

The shirts are now available for pre-order until Oct. 16, when the next phase ends.

Dawson also mentioned that SaskMusic’s next project will feature these venues within a podcast format, presenting the stories of the facilities in a unique format.