Guild postpones Queen Tribute Concert

The Queen tribute concert has been pushed into next year after The Canyon Lake Fine Arts Guild was unable to make the Oct. 17 outdoor concert work amid COVID-19 restrictions.

The Queen Nation concert was originally scheduled for the Lodge, but was moved outdoors to the Amphitheater when the COVID-19 crisis began. The hope was that the pandemic would be on the downswing by October, Guide President Ron Martel said.

Gregory Finsley, who sings in tribute to Freddie Mercury as part of Queen Nation, will be performing in Canyon Lake next year when the postpone October concert is rescheduled. Photo courtesy of Queen Nation

The Guild earlier shifted its Crosby Stills Nash & Young tribute and Brooks & Dunn tribute concerts from earlier in the year to the Amphitheater, but those also had to be postponed into 2021. Riverside County officials are still forbidding live music events at both indoor and outdoor park venues, even with the social distancing the Guild had planned to implement.

“The Guild has made every effort to bring live music back to the lake this summer,” Ron said. “However, the health and safety of our guests remains our highest priority. We ask that everyone hold onto their tickets. We are eager to schedule new dates by year-end.”

Each concert had been sold out, but with the delays, it is possible that some seats may become available. These concerts will be subject to approval by state and local authorities and the Guild will continue to adjust its concert dates based on their OK. The Guild is posting its most current information on its website, CanyonLakeGuild.org, and on its Canyon Lake Fine Arts Guild Facebook page.

The Guild Board of Directors includes Bonnie Dubbs, Corrie Tutt, Larry Garland, Shari Skidmore, Rhonda Pilto and Jim Lafferty.

“We thank the people of Canyon Lake for their continued support while we return to ‘normal,’ whatever that may be,” Ron said. “We will not allow this to defeat us. Our music will return even stronger in 2021!”