Fine Arts Guild postpones August concerts

Nothing is better than enjoying live music on a summer evening at the Holiday Harbor Amphitheater. That was the plan for two concerts that were to have been presented by the Canyon Lake Fine Arts Guild next month. With the uptick of COVID-19 infections and the subsequent state restrictions, these two events have been postponed into 2021.

The Brooks & Dunn tribute concert, which was originally scheduled for May 30 at the Lodge, was rescheduled to Aug. 1 at the Amphitheater. The Crosby Stills Nash & Young tribute concert was originally scheduled for March 28 at the Lodge and had been rescheduled to Aug. 22 at the Amphitheater. Due to the pandemic, these are now both postponed to dates to be determined in 2021.

With the beautiful lake in the backdrop, the Canyon Lake Fine Arts Guild has now presented several free concerts to the community at this impressive outdoor venue. The Guild also sponsors tribute concerts for as little as $25 in the Canyon Lake Lodge, which have sold out five years running.

At the initial COVID-19 shutdowns, the Guild had no choice but to cancel its two free summer events, which would have involved extremely large crowds gathered too close together at the park.

At the same time, the Guild was forced to postpone its spring events at the Lodge. Instead of rescheduling them indoors, the Guild chose to reschedule them in the fresh air at the Amphitheater in hopes of being safer and acceptable.

The Guild planned to set up chairs spaced six feet apart for adequate social distancing and would have recommended face masks to be worn. The plan was to limit the crowds solely to ticket-holders spread across the entire Amphitheater as well as the adjacent slope to minimize the risk of large concentrated crowds.

In the spring, the number of COVID-19 cases was peaking and expected to be minimal by August. Instead, a new wave of cases has exceeded all prior caseloads and the numbers are continuing to rise.

Therefore, despite working with the Canyon Lake POA, City of Canyon Lake and County Fire Marshal to include every safety precaution possible, the Guild Board of Directors chose to postpone these August events.

“As much as we wanted to deliver live music to the homeowners this summer, the health and safety of our community remains our highest priority,” Guild President Ron Martel said. “Therefore, our board stands firmly by our decision.”

It should be noted that the Oct. 17 concert, with a tribute to the iconic rock group Queen, has not been postponed and is still scheduled in the Amphitheater. It is the hope of the Guild that the health situation will become more favorable at that time, Ron said. The Guild tribute concert schedule is now as follows:

Brooks & Dunn: Postponed. (2021 date TBD). Was May 30, then Aug. 1.

Crosby Stills & Nash: Postponed. (2021 date TBD). Was March 28, then Aug. 22.

Queen: Scheduled. Oct. 17. Was in the Lodge, now in the Amphitheater.

The Guild is asking everyone to once again hang onto their tickets, which will be used when each respective concert is finally presented. At this time, all of the above Guild concerts are sold out.

However, after the two August events are rescheduled, it is possible some tickets may become available and will be posted on social media as well as on the Guild website.

As the ticket status and other relevant information is volatile at this time, the Guild encourages everyone to find the latest information and logistics on its website CanyonLakeGuild.org or on its Facebook page Canyon Lake Fine Arts Guild.