SLO’s Concerts in the Plaza cancels 2020 shows amid coronavirus precautions
San Luis Obispo’s popular free summer concert series is canceled for this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Downtown SLO, the nonprofit organization that produces Concerts in the Plaza on Friday evenings at Mission Plaza in downtown San Luis Obispo, announced the cancellation in a news release Tuesday.
“We were just about to announce the lineup — we even had our poster art ready, created by a local artist,” Downtown SLO CEO Bettina Swigger wrote in the news release. “But with the viability of live music performances in crowded settings uncertain, it just isn’t safe to proceed.”
Concerts in the Plaza would have celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2020.
Downtown SLO said 14 bands were booked to perform music shows during the season, which had been scheduled to begin June 12. The concert series would have featured a new singer-songwriter showcase event.
A small group of volunteers is working with Downtown SLO staff to “identify ways to celebrate the Concerts in the Plaza experience in a virtual capacity this summer, with video efforts,” the release said.
“We’re looking forward to seeing what takes shape,” Swigger wrote in the release. “But mostly, we look forward to seeing everyone next year.”
A fundraising campaign to help support local COVID-19 response and recovery efforts is ongoing., and Downtown SLO says funds raised will be used to help plan for future events and provide assistance to businesses during the phased reopening.
The organization urges residents to donate to the fund at DowntownSLO.com/donate.
