Folklore is part of a national initiative launched by Music Venue Trust to prevent the closure of hundreds of independent music venues.
Our venue faces closure because, like so many others, we've been forced to close our doors and cease our events schedule during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, leaving us with no source of income to cover our rent, our staff and other costs, with minimal support from the government and (so far) no date in sight where we'll be able to safely open and resume our events as before.
Folklore has supported and championed original, diverse and up-and-coming music wholeheartedly since its inception and is the definition of a grassroots live music venue and community space.
For those that know us as a nightspot - by day we are also a progressive innovative community hub, focusing on the wellbeing of our local residents, far-reaching community and beyond, with efforts including but not limited to homelessness workshops, employment projects and rehabilitation placements for refugees and ex-offenders, and mentorship schemes for the vulnerable, disabled, elderly and marginalised.
We're as independent as they come and although we've faced down plenty of challenges in our 6 years on Hackney Road, this is absolutely our toughest yet - and we have no safety net to speak of.
We're working on diversifying our business in these turbulent times, and in doing so will continue to support the bands, artists and parties that are our lifeblood, but we need your help too!
Your donations will be used to cover our rent and other overheads, costs that are piling up while we're unable to open our doors, as well as helping to pay contracted staff (that aren't covered by the current furlough scheme).
Anything you can spare will help us survive and return in brighter times, better, stronger, and weirder than ever :)
If we hit our target, and we can prevent the closure of our venue, everything above the amount we need will be donated to the Music Venue Trust GMV Crisis Fund to protect other venues just like ours, right across the country.
Lots of love Minouche & The Folklore Family x
(Benji, Lumi, Joey & Jack)
p.s. this Crowdfunder campaign is surplus to our initial emergency funding drive on Dice - huge thanks to all those have already donated to this. With this campaign we are aligning with a national effort from the Music Venues Trust, encouraging artists and the public to help us raise funds to keep us going as lockdown restrictions stretch on! There's more info available on the SOV website here: http://saveourvenues.co.uk/artists/#/
