Thank you to CHIRP powerhouse producer (and founder) Barbara Manners! You made music happen under unprecedented circumstances.
Last night, CHIRP free concerts came to an end under the stars at Ballard Park with James Maddock. While the season was cut short a bit (outdoor concerts began on July 7), the outpouring of support and enthusiasm was heartwarming. Yes, music is healing and the past several months were punishing for most.
Adhering to CDC protocols wasn't easy, but Manners set up systems including advanced reservations to keep all healthy and happy.
The image you see here (courtesy of Barbara Manners) was created by CHIRP fan and supporter, Louise Hazebrouck. Manners says, "It memorializes our summer of social distancing. It will be treasured always."
Manners shared this message on Facebook today:
Our abbreviated CHIRP season ended last night with a wonderful evening of @James Maddock filling the park. Because of Covid-19, we were not permitted to get started this summer until July 7, and even then we were restricted to one performance a week for July. But with a number of strict protocols in place for holding outdoor events and a lot of additional staffing to monitor protocol compliance, we were able to move to our more normal schedule of twice weekly in August. The several hundred people who chose to come out to the park were mindful of the protocols and seemed more than happy to accept them as the price for an evening of live music under the evening sky.