Bobby Rush photo by Bill Steber.
Bellevue Jazz & Blues Festival Postponed
In response to on-going COVID-19 health concerns, the 2020 Bellevue Jazz & Blues Festival has been postponed until fall. This annual festival will now take place October 28–November 1. Their featured artist, Bobby Rush, will now be performing on Friday, October 30. Earshot subscribers (email and print) will still get a 50% discount to his show using promocode EARSHOT at checkout. Tickets are on sale now, and the 50% discount will be live until 8/31. Here is the site to purchase Bobby Rush tickets: brownpapertickets.com/event/4543867
Lake Chelan Wine & Jazz Festival Postponed
The 3rd annual Lake Chelan Wine& Jazz Festival has been moved to September 24–27. This event offers a musical tour through the Lake Chelan Wine Valley, featuring 30 jazz performances. For tickets and more information visit chelanwinejazz.com.
Couth Buzzard Festival Future Uncertain
The Couth Buzzard book store where the annual festival is typically held, is currently closed until at least May 4. Couth Buzzard Books asks their supporters to watch and donate to artists who normally perform on their premises. For more details go to buonobuzzard.com.
TD Vancouver Jazz Festival Canceled
Coastal Jazz will not produce a 2020 festival. If you have purchased a ticket to any shows, they will be in touch with options. Coastal Jazz hope to reinstate the festival in 2021. Visit coastaljazz.ca for more details.
Ballard Jazz Festival Postponed
The 2020 Ballard Jazz Festival has been moved to the fall. This annual festival is now set for November 11–14. The Schedule of Events is as follows: Wednesday, November 11: Celebration of the Drum; Thursday, November 12: Guitar Summit; Friday, November 13: The Ballard Jazz Walk; Saturday, November 14: Mainstage Concert. For information see ballardjazzfestical.com.
Wayward in Limbo Audio Stream
With the Chapel at Good Shepherd Center, Wallingford closed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wayward Music Series moves from the concert hall to the living room. In place of their usual ten monthly concerts, Nonsequitur is curating and commissioning ten Seattle artists each month to create a series of streaming audio sessions of exclusive material. Many of these will be essentially “live” performances recorded at home for this occasion. Others may create a mix of pre-recorded material that has not been previously released elsewhere. The tracks are available to stream free of charge, but Nonsequitur strongly encourages listeners to support the artists with music purchases or donations. To find out more visit waywardmusic.org.
Washington Nightlife Music Association Needs Your Help
With music venues across Washington state closed, venues are struggling to stay afloat. Washington Nightlife Music Association (WANMA) is asking people to sign a petition to inform Washington Senators and U.S Representatives that music venues need cash assistance, tax relief and insurance revisions, rent and mortgage forgiveness and reduction, and assistance for the workforce. WANMA venues includeThe Royal Room, The Triple Door, Real Art Tacoma, Showbox Market and SoDO, The Vera Project, Neumos, and many others. For information please visit wanma.info.
ArtsFund announces New President and CEO
Michael Greer has been selected as ArtsFund’s new president and CEO.Greer has been Executive Director of Oregon Ballet since 2017. Prior to that he served as the Executive Director of the Portland Ballet in Maine. He has also served as a Trustee on the Oregon Arts Commission, Cultural Advocacy Coalition, and the United Way of Greater Portland. Michael holds a BA in Economics from Hampshire College and a Master’s in Education Policy, Organization & Leadership from University of Illinois. As a former professional dancer and experienced executive, Michael’s leadership experience spans both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Greer will assume the role on June 8 of ArtsFund from Interim CEO Susan M. Coliton, a long-time arts executive and consultant who was asked by the board to serve in this role.
SFJazz Announces New CEO
SFJazz announces that Greg Stern will succeed Don Derheim, as the organization’s new CEO on June 15. Stern, a longtime SFJazz patron and also a member of their board of trustees from 2008–2017, has a background in advertising and marketing having founded advertising services agency Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners in Sausalito. Working closely with longtime friend and SFJazz founder and executive artistic director Randall Kline, Stern plans to steward the organization into its 38th year.
Artist Relief Emergency Fund
A coalition of national arts grant makers, consisting of Academy of American Poets, Artadia, Creative Capital, Foundation for Contemporary Arts, MAP Fund, National YoungArts Foundation, and United States Artists, announces the launch of Artist Relief, which will provide rapid, unrestricted $5,000 relief grants to assist artists facing dire financial emergencies due to the impact of COVID-19. The fund will launch with $10 million, consisting of $5 million in seed funding from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation matched with $5 million in initial contributions from an array of foundations across the United States. For application details visit artistrelief.org
Cares Act Includes Gig Workers
On March 27, Congress passed the “CARES” Act which expands unemployment benefits to gig workers. The law will need to be interpreted and implemented at the state level. So in the coming weeks, there will be many more details that need to be discussed and communicated to the public. The Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) will be sharing details as quickly as possible about how to access these benefits. For both gig worker who meets the typically required 680 hours of work, and those who worked less than 680 hours you should apply as soon as you can. Anyone who is receiving or will be receiving weekly unemployment benefits, either through regular State unemployment or through the expanded CARES Act will receive an additional $600 per week. Make sure to sign up for the COVID-19 action alerts at esd.wa.gov.
Whipsmart Resources List
Washington State’s Whipsmart, a new creative economy-focused nonprofit that gives creative professionals the tools they need to succeed, has assembled a resource list that provides a comprehensive list of resources for creatives that will be updated in real time by a dedicated staff member to ensure that the information is timely and relevant. Visit bewhipsmart.org for access to their resources list.
Seattle’s First COVID-19 Walk-Up Testing Site Opens
On April 22nd, Seattle’s first walk-up site to test for the coronavirus opened in Rainier Beach. The mobile center is aimed at people who don’t have a doctor or other access to testing. Located at the Atlantic City Boat Ramp across from Rainier Beach High School in South Seattle, the center will operate two days a week on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10am-3pm. The street address is 8702 Seward Park Ave South, Seattle, WA, 98118. No appointment is necessary, and registration will be on-site. The testing site is staffed with medical personnel from Harborview Medical Center. There will also be translated flyers and telephonic interpreters available in several languages. For more information call 206 520 2
