The City of Las Cruces Parks and Recreation Department’s popular Music in the Park Series is going virtual featuring an eclectic mix of performances from local, regional, and nationally recognized artists performing in the 2020 Virtual Music in the Park Series. The series highlights some of the great talent and diversity that Las Cruces and Southern New Mexico music have to offer, with more than 75 percent of the scheduled musicians hailing from the Las Cruces area. The performances will be aired through City Facebook pages and on YouTube. (Go to www.las-cruces.org and click on the YouTube icon on top of page.) A schedule of posting dates is being finalized and will be announced soon.
"The COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in restrictions on large gatherings, is driving this alternative method,” said Phil Catanach, Recreation Administrator. "We are currently recording artist-only performances that were scheduled for May and June events," he said. Music in the Park is usually held Sunday nights at Young Park and Thursday nights at the Plaza de Las Cruces beginning Memorial Day weekend through the end of August.
The schedule will feature performances by national Jazz Artists Adam Hawley and Lindsey Webster, regional and local artists Pat "Guitar Slim" Chase, WildHorse, Los Latinos, Rosewater Blues Band, Jerry G and Cold Cash, Fort Bliss 1st Armored Division Band, Footprints Jazz Band, and more.
“We want to stay engaged and put our local musicians and music professionals back to work doing what they love,” Catanach said. “Musicians were among the first to feel the impacts of this pandemic as gigs and events have been canceled. We have been brainstorming to find a way to offer support and keep the music going.”
The Music in the Park Series is a major component of the City’s Parks and Recreation Department event schedule each summer with 34 scheduled artists and 17 nights of performances. Since its start in 1994, Music in the Park has become a Las Cruces tradition during the summer months, bringing Las Cruces together to enjoy family, friends, community, and music.
Live Music in the Park events are scheduled for July through August, but these events may go virtual, too. The Parks and Recreation Department will follow all state and local guidelines for community events with the health and safety of the community taking top priority. For more information, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 575 541-2550.
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