Despite the fact that some performance venues were given the go-ahead to reopen at a limited capacity in Phase 4 of Chicago's reopening plan, the city's independent music venues remain closed for the foreseeable future. With bills to pay and staff to support, they're finding new ways to keep the lights on, including streaming performances, exclusive merch and a new beer from Goose Island that will benefit a coalition of Chicago concert halls.
CIVL Pale Ale is named for the Chicago Independent Venue League that was originally formed by leadership at local institutions like Subterranean, Hideout, Metro, Sleeping Village and the Empty Bottle to speak out against public funding of Sterling Bay's Lincoln Yards development (which at one point included several Live Nation-run music venues). Over the past few months, CIVL has turned its focus to securing federal assistance, joining a national organization that is asking lawmakers to allocate funds for independent venues. "We were among the first [businesses] to close, we will likely be the last to reopen," Sleeping Village and the Whistler co-owner Billy Helmkamp told us back in May.
Goose Island will begin selling cans of CIVL Pale Ale (emblazoned with the organization's eagle logo) from its Fulton Taproom on Wednesday, July 8. All proceeds from thew $10 four-packs will go to CIVL and will be distributed among the associated venues. And while you're enjoying this special pale ale, you can add your voice to the calls for assistance and help ensure that Chicago's stages remain a place for musical discovery for years to come.
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