2020 should mark the tenth year of Greater Brockport Development Corporation’s Summer Serenades at the Brockport Welcome Center – a fabulous celebratory schedule of seven local musicians including many old favorites and some new ones. But you know the story – COVID-19 hit fast and hard. With social distancing required, musicians couldn’t even get together to practice. The planning committee persevered, hoping that even though forced to cancel the four July events it might still be possible to bring the three August events to the Welcome Center.
Fortunately, Chris Wilson, our always-popular season finale musician, offered an alternative to his canalside performance – he could live-stream a performance from his home venue, The Barn. So the August 20 date for him to perform for us was never in question. We counted spaces for distanced seating. We talked about using the adjacent parking lot for seating space, or moving to a different outdoor venue. While an outdoor performance was actually possible, there was concern about the comfort and safety of our regular audience in a fairly limited setting.
We finally agreed that a streamed hour and a half of Chris Wilson’s beautiful music in the safest possible setting (our homes) would enable the greatest number of folks to participate and feel connected.
Chris is a wonderful musician with local roots and a repertoire people love. We hope you will join us and tell your friends about our only concert for this summer. It’s free and all are welcome. Gary Skoog, the traditional Summer Serenades MC, will be on hand with his usual warm remarks and we know Chris will treat us to a wonderful evening.
Everyone is welcome to tune in Thursday, August 20, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. No folding chairs are needed, simply go to www.chriswilson.us and click on the arrow in the center. It’s also accessible on Facebook and YouTube or sign up for Chris’s mailing list and get information directly from him. The concert is free, as always. You’re encouraged to continue to support Brockport’s merchants!
The Greater Brockport Development Corporation board looks forward to a real celebration in July and August 2021 when Summer Serenades can return to the Welcome Center. Thank you for your encouragement and support during our first ten years.
GBDC Board – Bill Andrews, Terry Carbone, Jacquie Davis, Patty Kutz, Jo Matela, and Gary Skoog
