Despite the persistent presence of Covid-19, Ukiah Community Concert Association is finding a way to make wonderful music available to their subscribers. The four live music concerts comprising the core season for 2020-2021 are cancelled, but the Professional Pianists Concerts, a decade-long marquee event for Mendocino County, is not cancelled- although it may have to be scheduled in spring rather than its usual January weekend.

“Providing great music to our community is what we do,” said Jim Dowcett, UCCA Board member and musicologist teaching at Mendocino College. “We can’t let the virus steer us off-course, but find alternative ways of providing concerts during these unusual times!”

In place of the four live-music concerts, UCCA plans to negotiate with the artists to provide four mini-concert video performances specifically played for the Mendocino audience. An internet link to these will be available to UCCA subscribers on the previously planned concert dates and will remain available to them for an ensuing defined period of time. “Since we had booked a stellar lineup of artists for the upcoming season,” according to Board member Joel Cohen, “the Board of Directors were determined to find a way for those musicians to share some fabulous music with our members. These mini-concerts will serve as wonderful alternatives for the following concert season where we’re working to re-book these same artists to perform life for the 2021-22 music season. A two for one!”

Since UCCA specializes in bringing musical talent from outside the area, aligning artists touring schedules with theater availability requires a great deal of contracting lead time. Our hopes are that the same artists will be able to play here for the next season.

The annual Professional Pianists Concert (PPC) series usually held over a weekend in early January is co-produced by Spencer Brewer and UCCA. This event relies on local artists, so the contracting and scheduling lead time can be relatively short, allowing a final “go or no go” decision to be based on public health realities in early 2021. Board member Elena Casanova vowed, “We will do everything we can within the bounds of public health safety to keep the PPC tradition unbroken.”

The Board acknowledges this plan of action does not satisfy the irreplaceable joy of celebrating great music together. This plan is our attempt to work within the bounds of public health realities, yet still provide some musical enjoyment to our members and stay connected to those interested in great music.

Elena Casanova
Publicity Chair
PO Box 844
Ukiah, CA 95482

https://www.ukiahconcerts.org/

iPhone- 707-272-4212
elena@ukiahconcerts.org