The shows will go on.
Working in partnership with Rainbow Bistro owner Danny Sivyer, a group of music-loving business leaders has raised $50,000 to support one of Ottawa’s storied live music venues.
The money will help relieve the financial pressure at the Rainbow Bistro brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and related shut downs.
“We are not prepared to sit idle as yet another live music venue closed in Ottawa,” says Kevin Ford, CEO of Calian Group and amateur rock guitarist in local bands for many decades. “A city is more than homes and businesses. It’s about music and the arts, restaurants and a vibrant nightlife. These are essential parts of the city that all contribute to our quality of life.”
The working group, called the Rainbow Bistro Business Amplifiers, includes Kevin Ford (Calian), Jim Harmon (Boyden), John Jastremski (MDS Aero) and Cyril Leeder (Myers). Jamie Kwong of the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition is advising the group.
“I am totally overwhelmed by the interest these CEOs have shown in helping the Rainbow stay open,” says Sivyer. “They don't just talk the talk, they walk the walk as demonstrated in their goal of raising immediate funds to help the Rainbow pay bills for many months to come.”
Sivyer says the CEOs have tapped into their own contacts to raise the money and also provided valuable business advice.
The corporate donations come as the Rainbow Bistro prepares to celebrate its 37th anniversary with concerts by award-winning Canadian bluesman David Gogo on Friday, Nov. 26 and Saturday, Nov. 27. Tickets are available at www.ticketweb.ca.
MORE PLANS FOR 2022
Despite hitting the corporate donation goal, the business group has more plans, including helping the Rainbow Bistro update its website and launching a crowdfunding campaign in early 2022 and examining the business model of the Rainbow Bistro to provide a more stable financial foundation for the venerable live music venue.
LIST OF CORPORATE SUPPORTERS
- Boyden
- Calian Group
- Colliers
- E&Y
- excelHR and Altis Recruitment
- Kinaxis
- Kingsford Consulting
- Mark Motors
- MDS Aero
- Myers Automotive Group
- Real Strategy Advisors
QUOTES FROM OTHER MEMBERS OF THE RAINBOW BISTRO BUSINESS AMPLIFIERS GROUP
“We want to go beyond corporate donations. The long-term vision is to bring a new perspective to the Rainbow’s business model that can be leveraged by other small music venues in Ottawa facing similar challenges. Ottawa has seen too many small music venues close their doors as owners have struggled to make ends meet. Venues like the Rainbow create the link between artists and the community, they are also the lifeblood of young talented artists as they cross the country to build their audiences.”
-- John Jastremski, CEO, MDS Aero Support (and longtime rock guitarist)
“Seeing so many of Ottawa’s business leaders, many of whom are musicians themselves, come out in support of saving the Rainbow Bistro is a very welcomed good news story. The Rainbow Bistro will continue to be an important launching pad for local musicians and one of Ottawa’s favourite venues to catch great live music”
-- Jamie Kwong, Executive Director, Ottawa Music Industry Coalition