WKNC Interviews Local Music Venue Owners

Five of Raleigh’s most prominent music venues have co-created a fundraising campaign with the intention of paying their staff members during venue closures. Owners Paul Siler of King, Timothy Lemuel of the Wicked Witch, Chris Malarkey of the Lincoln Theatre, Van Alston of Slim’s, and Adam Lindstaedt of The Pour House met (virtually, of course) with WKNC General Manager Laura Mooney to discuss the creation and execution of what they call the Raleigh Downtown Music Venue Employees Fund. 

The fund collects individual donations via Venmo and equally splits the raised money between venue employees. The fund currently supports 43 individuals who work as door keeps, bartenders, and other tip-based positions. The first payment to these individuals was made on Tuesday, March 31. Mooney, along with the venue representatives, expressed the importance of this fund as it directly supports individuals who would have otherwise been unemployed.

Watch the interview below: