Flamingo Cantina: SXSW and Covid-19 Relief Fund
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The legendary FLAMINGO CANTINA has been Austin's home for Reggae, Ska, Latin, WorldBeat, and just about every other genre of feel-good music you can think of since 1991. An amazing 28 year run in a city that in recent years, despite being known as the "Live Music Capital of the World," has seen many long standing venues fall by the wayside.
As owner Angela states so perfectly on their website: "The Flamingo Cantina is an oasis in the lives of people who support it – a respite from the struggles of daily life, where we can all go to dance, laugh, hear wonderful music, and eat some of Winston’s delicious jerk chicken. " It absolutely has been that for me, and I know for many others, over the last multiple decades.
The recent double whammy of the last minute cancellation of SXSW, combined with the emerging Covid-19 emergency, have dealt a tough financial blow to many Austin venues, and Flamingo is no exception to that. With shows being cancelled and many folks being asked to steer clear of public gatherings - bills still have to be paid and so do staff who rely on this income. Any help we could provide in the short term would help soften the blow.
These challenges faced by Flamingo and other local venues were documented in a March 7th, 2020 piece in the LA Times: https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-03-07/south-by-southwest-is-canceled-due-to-coronavirus-but-for-some-the-show-may-go-on
Unfortunately since that article was written, the Covid-19 situation has worsened and even more shows have been cancelled. Just today, Austin's mayor declared a temporary ban on all gatherings of 250 individuals beginning March 15th and carrying through to May 1st, which will continue to impact Flamingo's ability to draw customers in the short term.
https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/gatherings-of-250-banned-in-austin-travis-county-due-to-coronavirus-concerns/
I don't know what the future will hold but I know these are tough times for many. Anything I can do to give back to a place and a family that have given me more memories, music, and good vibes over the years (and even my cat Marley who was born there 16 years ago) is money well spent in my book.
If you love this place as much as I do, and have the means to chip in to help the Flamingo Family, please do so.
Updated Info About Me and This Campaign:
My name is Ryan Parker and I've lived here in Austin, TX since 1996. I have been a regular customer and patron of Flamingo Cantina since 1998 and over that time have gotten to know and form a friendship with the owner, Angela Tharp. When I heard how the business was being impacted by these events, I wanted to do everything I could to help.
Regarding How Funds will Be Used and Distributed: 100% of any funds raised through this campaign (less a small percentage claimed by GoFundMe) will be withdrawn directly from GoFundMe by the owner of Flamingo Cantina, Angela Tharp. Angela's words on how these funds will be spent: "My goal is to first pay my staff for their current pay due, then pay the most pressing items that cannot be avoided, if I want to continue to be in business. We face close to a half month's bills to pay with no revenues to cover. Those expenses include the liquor supplier, State of Texas liquor and sales taxes, and utilities. Unfortunately all these expenses come due at about the same time, so I'm juggling some big bills."
As owner Angela states so perfectly on their website: "The Flamingo Cantina is an oasis in the lives of people who support it – a respite from the struggles of daily life, where we can all go to dance, laugh, hear wonderful music, and eat some of Winston’s delicious jerk chicken. " It absolutely has been that for me, and I know for many others, over the last multiple decades.
The recent double whammy of the last minute cancellation of SXSW, combined with the emerging Covid-19 emergency, have dealt a tough financial blow to many Austin venues, and Flamingo is no exception to that. With shows being cancelled and many folks being asked to steer clear of public gatherings - bills still have to be paid and so do staff who rely on this income. Any help we could provide in the short term would help soften the blow.
These challenges faced by Flamingo and other local venues were documented in a March 7th, 2020 piece in the LA Times: https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2020-03-07/south-by-southwest-is-canceled-due-to-coronavirus-but-for-some-the-show-may-go-on
Unfortunately since that article was written, the Covid-19 situation has worsened and even more shows have been cancelled. Just today, Austin's mayor declared a temporary ban on all gatherings of 250 individuals beginning March 15th and carrying through to May 1st, which will continue to impact Flamingo's ability to draw customers in the short term.
https://www.kxan.com/news/coronavirus/gatherings-of-250-banned-in-austin-travis-county-due-to-coronavirus-concerns/
I don't know what the future will hold but I know these are tough times for many. Anything I can do to give back to a place and a family that have given me more memories, music, and good vibes over the years (and even my cat Marley who was born there 16 years ago) is money well spent in my book.
If you love this place as much as I do, and have the means to chip in to help the Flamingo Family, please do so.
Updated Info About Me and This Campaign:
My name is Ryan Parker and I've lived here in Austin, TX since 1996. I have been a regular customer and patron of Flamingo Cantina since 1998 and over that time have gotten to know and form a friendship with the owner, Angela Tharp. When I heard how the business was being impacted by these events, I wanted to do everything I could to help.
Regarding How Funds will Be Used and Distributed: 100% of any funds raised through this campaign (less a small percentage claimed by GoFundMe) will be withdrawn directly from GoFundMe by the owner of Flamingo Cantina, Angela Tharp. Angela's words on how these funds will be spent: "My goal is to first pay my staff for their current pay due, then pay the most pressing items that cannot be avoided, if I want to continue to be in business. We face close to a half month's bills to pay with no revenues to cover. Those expenses include the liquor supplier, State of Texas liquor and sales taxes, and utilities. Unfortunately all these expenses come due at about the same time, so I'm juggling some big bills."
Organizer and beneficiary
Ryan Parker
Organizer
Austin, TX
Angela Tharp
Beneficiary