Not Close But Personal Concert Series

Tuesday, 7 April 2020 17:45

The revised start date for the "Not Close But Personal Concert Series" will be April 13th 2020.

Yukoners living in isolation will soon have local musicians performing regularly in their living rooms, while maintaining important social distancing. A live-streaming concert series is to feature a selection of Yukon's professional musicians performing from an empty Yukon Arts Centre, and from their homes in the communities.

The concept is the brainchild of Yukon artist Matthew Lien in harmony with similar live-streaming concert initiatives by the National Arts Centre, Music Industry Associations, Home Routes, and Ontario's MusicTogether initiative.

"The economic situation for musicians has already been challenging in recent years, and this health crisis really hits hard if you're a performing artist," said Lien. "But I think this is a powerful opportunity for musicians to do what they do best, using live music to bring us all together, even if it's done from a distance."

Presented by Music Yukon in partnership with the Yukon Arts Centre, supported by a host of partner organisations, produced by Whispering Willows Records and Larrikin Entertainment, and funded by Yukon Government's Departments of Tourism and Culture and Economic Development, the concerts will bring much needed income relief to Yukon musicians and technicians who are particularly vulnerable in the current economic crisis caused by COVID-19.

"The Yukon Arts Centre is pleased to support this initiative that will support our Yukon artists and help connect Yukoners to each other and to our artists. The collaboration of these individuals, organizations and broadcasters is so reflective of our community spirit and will help us all get through this difficult time," said Michele Emslie, programming director for the Yukon Arts Centre.

Minister of Economic Development Ranj Pillai stated, "During these difficult times, the efforts by our music community to connect Yukoners in all communities, bring comfort and continue sharing their work is appreciated. Now more than ever, an innovative approach is needed to keep us together while we physically need to be apart."

The series plans to present six shows live-streamed on Facebook from musicians' homes in the communities, and twelve concerts presented in the Yukon Arts Centre - absent an audience - also live-streamed on Facebook, and broadcast on Northwestel Community TV and CHON-FM, with select performances made available on the Yukon Film Society's Video On Demand platform.

While the ever-shifting health crisis may impose changes, community-based performances will be available for viewing on Facebook at 7:00 PM on Mondays from musicians homes, while Yukon Arts Centre shows will stream to Facebook Live Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:00 - 8:00 PM. The concert series will launch on April 13 and continue until May 29, 2020.

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