Is Live Entertainment Dying ?

Everyone knows that New York City is the entertainment capital of the world. Broadway, concert halls, venues on every corner, paving the way for every actor, comedian or musician. If you can make it there...well you know the song.

Long Islanders love to travel into Manhattan but, after the train fare, or parking fees, dinner, and ticket price, you are well into the mid-hundreds, or more.

There is a plethora of entertainment available to us here but as a producer of many types of shows, I find it daunting how difficult it is to get people out to see live entertainment.

I understand the economy stinks. Gas prices and food prices rise, while our paychecks go down. The end of the so-called "tax holiday" had us gasping this year when we suddenly found ourselves between $10-$20 per week poorer.

Sure, it's only $10, but that is not eating away at our Starbucks budget. It's eating away at our entertainment budget. Instead of going to a movie once a week, it may be twice a month, or less. Instead of seeing that local production of Annie, we may skip it and wait for something else.

Trying something new turns into catching up on the DVR'd episodes of "The Walking Dead", or "Breaking Bad", or "Downton Abbey" (insert obsession here)

Why go out to a movie and spend $20 when you can get Netflix and see them in six weeks.

The couch potato is the new symbol of Long Island.

In the meantime, your friends and family are out there rehearsing for their next show, performing at open-mic nights to prepare for that next big comedy gig or battle of the bands. But, it's all for nothing if they can't generate an audience for the business establishments hosting these events. They need you to see them so they can follow their dreams.

instead, you are home, following your own dreams. Falling asleep on your couch during another episode of "Mad Men".

Wake up Long Island. There is so much talent here for you to support and enjoy, without spending hundreds.

And it's all in 3D.

Get off that couch. Support local artists, comedians, theater troupes, musicians, etc. SOme of these people are your friends and family. They would love to see you, and you may actually enjoy seeing them.

Where do you find it all? I heard of something called Facebook, Google, Newsday, local papers. I don't have to tell you. 

See you at the show !!!

For more about the author www.steviegb.com