Tag: reopening

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Deja Brew Cafe & Pub in Wendell hosts weekend events ahead of planned reopening

Deja Brew Cafe & Pub in Wendell hosts weekend events ahead of planned reopening

Published: 7/3/2022 4:52:52 PM

Modified: 7/3/2022 4:50:12 PM

WENDELL — As Deja Brew Cafe & Pub looks to reopen later this summer, the business welcomed residents on Saturday for an Independence Day event, attracting those looking to hear reggae music while enjoying barbecued food and good company.

While the event was held on the holiday weekend, organizer Vic Scutari was quick to note that people in town are not feeling very patriotic in light of recent world events, and the celebration was not specifically for the holiday.

“We’ve lived in Wendell for 25 years. I always want to support Deja Brew, especially as they reopen,” attendee Brian Jones said as to why he came to the event. “It’s a nice place to come and see neighbors.”

Deja Brew, located on Lockes Village Road, closed in 2017, but has plans to reopen later this summer.

“These events we’ve been doing have been making me hopeful about reopening,” Scutari said. “The excitement and support has been palpable.”

In the meantime, before it opens, Deja Brew has hosted irregular events throughout the summer. Aside from the July 2 party, the business hosted the Wendell Misfit Prom on June 18 and will host Reggae Fest on July 16. Tickets for that event can be found on Facebook and are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

At Saturday’s event, The Roots All Stars played for the audience. This reggae band is a mix of local young musicians and seasoned reggae artists. African drums player Boo Pearson, formerly in the band Loose Caboose, played alongside Simon White.

Donna Horn, Wendell resident and attendee, said, “I love Simon. I’ve known him since he was 2. It’s a family thing to see him play here.”

White explained Loose Caboose paved the way for other reggae musicians in Wendell, allowing there to be space for a hometown genre.

Pearson, happy to be playing at Deja Brew, said, “I love playing our music, but it gets better when we play with other musicians and create a proverbial exchange.”

As DJ Vibe Wise started the night off by playing recorded music, Colin Wilson and Tiffany Raymond, residents of Florence, made their way to the event.

“It’s our first time here,” Raymond said. “We’ve been thinking about coming here for a while. We are excited about the music and food.”

For more information on Deja Brew Cafe & Pub’s events, visit facebook.com/dejabrewwendell.

Contact Bella Levavi at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.

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Long Beach’s Queen Mary plans to host events again after 2 years, includes summer music festival

Long Beach's Queen Mary plans to host events again after 2 years, includes summer music festival
LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) — After a 2-year hiatus, the Queen Mary in Long Beach plans to host events again, including a summer music festival at the ship’s waterfront.

The festival will be outside the ship so that no dancing will occur onboard.

Due to critical repairs, the ship has been closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The city started making repairs in January and is investing $5 million into the Queen Mary to reopen it this year.

SEE MORE: Repairs to Queen Mary begin in Long Beach

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Event companies push province for clear reopening plan after receiving no government help | CBC News

Event companies push province for clear reopening plan after receiving no government help | CBC News

An event company owner has penned an open letter to the B.C. government, asking for it to consider re-allowing wedding receptions and events — with safety plans in place — after the company was denied funding.

Spotlight Events owner Paige Petriw says she applied for the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant, but was not given funding because her company was not ordered to fully close to comply with public health orders.

“It’s just a lack of consideration for the nature of our industry and the way our businesses are structured,” said Petriw in a phone interview.

Eligible businesses include bars and nightclubs that don’t serve full meals, gym and fitness centres and event venues that can no longer hold events due to cancellations.

Under current provincial health orders, indoor organized gatherings of any size are not allowed, including wedding and funeral receptions. Outdoor organized gatherings are allowed, but with some restrictions. 

On Jan. 19, the government said it was extending the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant and doubling financial supports for eligible businesses that were ordered to remain closed until Feb. 16.

Company owners are eligible for up to $20,000 in total funding, based on staffing levels at the time of closure.

Owner of Pacific Fairytales — a company that specializes in children’s events and entertainment — Kirsty Provan says her company has lost around 75 per cent of its profit since the beginning of the pandemic. 

Provan was also denied funding under the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant because her business wasn’t forced to fully close under the public health order.

Provan said she would like to see proof that events held at stadiums like sports games are less dangerous than a small event with 12 children from the same school class. 

“What are the statistics that are showing that, that is actually much more dangerous than a stadium event?” she said.

The Ministry of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation said in a statement on Sunday the grant program is designed to complement existing federal COVID-19 business supports including those that are available to businesses that remained open but experienced a drop in revenue due to the pandemic.

“We know this is a very challenging time for businesses — especially those businesses that were directly impacted by recent public health measures,” the ministry said in the statement.

Paige Petriw, the owner of Spotlight Events, says she applied for the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant, but was not given funding because her company was not ordered to fully close to comply with public health orders. (Doug Kerr/CBC News)

Petriw said the industry is asking to “operate professionally managed indoor events and gatherings under specific guidelines and restrictions,” according to the letter.

The letter also called for the government to clearly define professionally managed events and non-professionally managed indoor gatherings and events, and to have specific restrictions put in place based on the type of event. 

Petriw and Pravon said they hope the Ministry of Health will consider meeting with event companies to come up with a safe reopening plan that includes restrictions in accordance with the current public health order.

“We’re really on the brink of not many businesses being able to survive,” Petriw said.

CBC News also contacted the Ministry of Health to ask about plans to safely reopen the event industry, but did not hear back.

Businesses that have applied for a COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant do not need to reapply. To apply for a grant, click here. Applications will be accepted until Feb. 28.