WILS 2020 Cancelled

[srick]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase, October 22 – 25, 2020, Cancelled

(July 22, 2020, Woodstock, NY) It is with great regret that we must cancel this year’s Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase, October 22 - 25, 2020. We have tried to move ahead with planning for a greatly reduced, and hopefully safe, gathering but the worsening coronavirus pandemic situation in the United States makes it obvious that to try and hold the Luthiers Showcase in October would be ill-advised, and possibly dangerous for all who attend. The health and safety of all must be our primary concern, and we would be unable to offer the full experience and quality presentation that the community has come to expect from WILS.

This is especially disappointing, given the anticipation for the Luthiers Showcase’s return after our hiatus in 2019, and the extensive renovations and improvements to our venues over the past year by the new owner of the Bearsville Center (www.bearsvillecenter.com). With thanks for their cooperation, we look forward together to welcoming the international community of independent luthiers and musicians to the next Eleventh Edition of the Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase, October 21 – 24, 2021, at the Bearsville Center and environs in Woodstock, New York, USA.

We hope to offer some virtual events and presentations this year, over the weekend of October 23 – 25, 2020, and, conditions permitting, our annual String Sampler Concert, featuring Bill Frisell & Thomas Morgan headlining, other acts TBD, with a Live Streaming complement, Saturday, October 25, 2020. Luthier Eric Weigeshoff, Skytop Guitars, New Paltz, NY, is donating a very special, custom, handmade acoustic guitar for a charity raffle or auction; details to be announced.

With thanks to our Premier Sponsor Acoustic Guitar Magazine, and our supporting Sponsors: the Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans & Guitarmaker Magazine, Bourgeois Guitars, D’Addario & Co., Fishman, Inc., Guitar Player Magazine, Heritage Insurance, C. F. Martin & Co., PRS Guitars, Take A Stand, Inc., WAMC Northeast Public Radio, and the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce & Arts.

For further news, updates and announcements, please Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/WoodstockInvitational, and/or sign up for our Mailing List here: www.woodstockinvitational.com/contact.shtml

Special thanks and acknowledgement must go to our incredible Team WILS Production Partners: Sharon Klein, Music Coordinator; Chip Brill, Operations Manager & Program Publisher; Lu Ann Bielawa, Events & Volunteers Coordinator; and Mark Heller, Showcase Development & Social Media.

CONTACT:

Baker Rorick, Founder / Producer
Woodstock Invitational LLC
PO Box 486
Bearsville, New York, 12409, USA
Mobile: +1-845-389-9247
[email protected]
www.woodstockinvitational.com
www.facebook.com/WoodstockInvitational

[TomB'sox]

It seemed just a matter of time. Heck you still can't gather in groups greater than 50 here in NY and there is a travel ban in place currently from 31 states.

[srick]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

It seemed just a matter of time. Heck you still can't gather in groups greater than 50 here in NY and there is a travel ban in place currently from 31 states.

Yeah - I had been thinking about those packed spaces in the Bearsville Theater. We could have easily lost several hundred guitarists and luthiers to Covid in one fell swoop.

[Tico]

I'm sorry the event has been cancelled.

But, thank you for saving some human lives.

[lowrider]

Bad news, but not unexpected.

I just got the email;

July 22, 2020, Woodstock, NY) It is with great regret that we must cancel this year’s Woodstock Invitational Luthiers Showcase, October 22 - 25, 2020. We have tried to move ahead with planning for a greatly reduced, and hopefully safe, gathering but the worsening coronavirus pandemic situation in the United States makes it obvious that to try and hold the Luthiers Showcase in October would be ill-advised, and possibly dangerous for all who attend. The health and safety of all must be our primary concern, and we would be unable to offer the full experience and quality presentation that the community has come to expect from WILS.

It's really too bad. The new owner has had a lot of people working there to bring the complex back up to standards. She just bought it and is putting a lot into it. I hope she'll make out all right.

But these are the times we are in. Hope you are all safe and working in your shops. I'm hiding out in the mountains just west of Woodstock.

[iim7V7IM7]

See everyone in 2021...

[lowrider]

Meanwhile, the Bearsville Theater complex is re-opening this weekend;

https://hudsonvalleyone.com/2020/07/...-this-weekend/

When you all can finally come back here, you'll find the place in excellent condition (but still no paved parking lot)