2020 season suspended
We put off making this decision for as long as we could, but Flying Cat Music will not produce our concerts this year as originally planned. We call our 2020 concert season "suspended" because we intend to offer new concert dates to all of the musicians who booked with us this year, as soon as that is possible. However the shows that had been on the books now are cancelled. It's extremely unlikely that circumstances will allow concerts to resume this year, but if that somehow happens we 'll schedule new dates, and you will be the first to know. Right now though we are looking to reopen in 2021.
There were too many uncertainties facing our region during the coming months for us to feel confident that live concerts will again be viable during this 2020 concert year. New York State's "re-opening" plans are constantly being monitored and reevaluated, and there' s no guarantee we might not suddenly be shut down again even if indoor entertainment venues like ours clear the hurdle for reopening by late summer. Our venue's willingness to again host concerts would need to be revisited in light of the pandemic. In addition, some core members of Flying Cat Music personally fall into one or more of the high risk groups being urged to exercise stringent caution regarding exposure to Covid-19. It's uncertain we could muster the staffing needed to produce concerts during the current pandemic, even if it again becomes legal to do so by the Fall.
The artists who planned to perform for Flying Cat Music this year need and deserve clarity with their own plans this year, so we have released them from pending obligations to us. That however has not released us from the obligation we continue to feel to the Independent music community and to all of the fine musicians who had planned to perform for Flying Cat Music this year.These are difficult times for touring musicians. Money is tight and it's hard for them to connect with audiences.
Though we won't be releasing our normal press releases for upcoming concerts this year, we will still send out monthly emails, and in them we will feature the musicians who were originally scheduled to perform for Flying Cat Music during that month. We plan to showcase their music, and to make it easier for you to reach out and connect with them even though they can't be physically with us in Phoenicia this year.The first of these mailings will come out for July.
The Flying Cat Music Tip Jar
Starting RIGHT NOW however we are introducing a simple new way for you to help sustain the musicians whose shows we were forced to cancel this year. It's the Flying Cat Music Tip Jar and you will find it at our website for the duration of this concert year. When you make a donation to this Tip Jar by default your donation will be divided equally among all of the artists whose concerts we had to cancel this year. The full list of the musicians who you will be supporting through your donation can be found HERE.
Now, more than ever, Independents musical artists need patrons, and, if you are able, that's where you come in. It's not just musicians who are hurting this year and we fully understand it if you are not in a position to make a contribution. But if your budget will allow it, please do what you can to help support these artists. Literally, every dollar helps. The Flying Cat Music Tip Jar can be found HERE.
Stay safe, and keep listening to Music!