The Levitt AMP Utica team was scheduled to unveil the 2020 Levitt AMP Music Series line up today but instead has a different announcement.
Given the ongoing uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic surrounding when public gatherings in Utica will once again be permitted, let alone encouraged and celebrated, and out of great concern for the health, safety, and well-being of our community, Utica Monday Nite and the Levitt AMP committee have made the very difficult decision to postpone the Levitt AMP Utica Music Series to 2021.
This decision did not come easily, as it impacts so many people in the community, including staff and sound crew, musicians, artists, partners, volunteers, vendors, sponsors and interns, in addition to the thousands of friends, families and neighbors who enjoy free Levitt AMP concerts in Kopernik Park every summer. There was a lot that goes into making this decision. It takes months to successfully plan and coordinate a Levitt AMP concert series, from securing musicians who come to Utica from all over the country, to forging media and partnerships, and to amplifying the lawn experience through impactful community and vendor partnerships.
The concert series WILL be back in 2021.
The Mortimer and Mimi Levitt Foundation has assured that the $25,000 in grant funding, hard-won by Utica in a public online voting campaign, will be rolled over to 2021. Utica will not have to apply again and will not have to vote again. The team is currently working on rebooking as many of the headlining bands we were planning to bring to Utica this year for next summer. And as always, the series will feature local talent each week as well. Mayor Palmieri shares, “While it’s unfortunate the Levitt AMP Concert Series will be postponed until next year, I believe it is the right decision and promotes public health and safety. I am pleased and thankful to The Levitt Foundation for guaranteeing funding for Utica’s Concert Series in 2021 as these events provide a great quality of life asset for our community.”
The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties has provided the matching funds for the grant for the past four years.“While we’re all looking forward to a ‘new normal’ that allows us to come together as a community, it’s important that we get there safely,” said Alicia Dicks, president/CEO of the Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties. “As a funder of this great summertime happening since its beginning, the Community Foundation supports this decision, and we look forward to a better, brighter summer series in 2021.”
The Levitt AMP Utica committee is now working closely with The Levitt Foundation to plan out ways to bring community together through music this year. Levitt is a people-first organization, a musician-friendly series and is committed to diversity and inclusion, which are all guiding principles in all Levitt initiatives. The Utica team will be working on:
1) 10-Week Virtual Music Series with The Levitt Foundation
Utica will be joining 19 other Levitt AMP cities in a 10-week Virtual Music Series where we will be able to highlight some of our local talent on a national platform.
2) Levitt Foundation Bridge Grant
The team will also be exploring applying for a new Bridge Grant for 2020 that The Levitt Foundation has created to bring people together through music in alternative ways and is shaping what that may look like for our community.
Progress and other information can be found on the Levitt AMP Utica Facebook and Instagram pages.