Rainbow Bistro to live on through at least the end of 2021

The band will play on at the Rainbow Bistro, at least until the end of the year.

Some local business leaders have thrown thevenerable music hall in Ottawa's ByWard Market a lifelineto help keep live music goingforthe next three months.

Kevin Ford, the music-loving CEO of consulting firmthe Calian Group and part-time guitarist,says he was kept up at night thinking about the Rainbow closing due to losses during the pandemic.

• End of the Rainbow: Ottawa staple set to close if new owner isn't found

"The Rainbow isone of our last legacy bars," said Ford, who recalls both jamming on the stage and taking in numerous shows.

"I just think at some point as citizens, as corporate leaders, we need to take a look at this and hopefully stop these clubs closing, for the sake of both those who enjoy music and also playing music."

Former Senators president among group

Fordand a network of business colleagueshave agreed to cover shortfalls and pay for extra costs to keep the doors openuntil the end of 2021.

John Jastremski from MDS Aero Support and Cyril Leeder, the former president of the Ottawa Senators, are two other music fans who have pitched in support.

"It's not a silver bullet," said Ford, "but we didn't want to let it get to die on the vine without giving it a shot to reach out to the audience and look at options for longer term support."

Owner Danny Sivyerhadalready said emotionalgoodbyes to many long-time regulars who turned up last weekend to hearlocal bluesman Tony D. perform on the Rainbow stage one last time.

Sivyer reluctantly closed the doors on Sept. 19marking anend to 37 years in business after he lost money fromrepeated lockdowns and strict audience limits imposed during the pandemic.

Sivyer says he receivedhundreds of messages of thanks and memories from patrons, then he was surprised to find an email from Ford offering a helping hand.

The two had never met before, but when they sat down together they recognized they were kindred spirits dedicated to saving live music.

"I was overwhelmed and humbled by the offer," said Sivyeras he fought tears.

"I mean, to me, this has always just been a little hole in the wall musicclub and apparently to a lot of people, it's a lot more than that."

Ford says the group is offering more than a financial reprieve as they hope to provide business advice that could help the Rainbow survive the uncertainties of the pandemic, pluswelcome a full house of music lovers once again.

Siyver says live music could be return to the stage by the first weekend in October.