FOR IMMEDIATES RELEASE: Oct. 27, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT: Brian Passey | [email protected] | 480-874-4626
Canal Convergence Will Feature Livestreaming and Drive-In Performances
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, livestreaming and drive-in performances will replace the live entertainment typically staged at the Scottsdale Waterfront during Canal Convergence | Water + Art + Light.
In addition to previously announced light-based artworks, augmented reality experiences, and online creative workshops during Canal Convergence, Nov. 6 through 15, Scottsdale Arts will also host a variety of music, dance, and spoken-word performances. Rather than in-person events at the Arizona Canal, most performances will be virtual and delivered online through livestreaming formats.
“I feel so blessed and lucky to be able to still connect with fans and people through this pandemic via a livestream performance at Canal Convergence,” said Gabe Kubanda, an alt-pop musician who also runs the nonprofit EduMusication program.
Kubanda is just one of the performers scheduled as part of the livestreaming entertainment during Canal Convergence. He will perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, during the first weekend of the experience. Other musical acts during the 10-day Canal Convergence include The Sawmill Grinders (Nov. 8), Jazz from the Nash (Nov. 9), LuMar (Nov. 10), and The Hourglass Cats (Nov. 12), while Rosy and Alex Mack will deliver a combined music and dance performance on Nov. 6.
Nonmusical livestreaming events include a program by ITCH Theatre’s Scratch Comedy Troupe on Nov. 11 and “Gather,” storytelling at the Kerr Cultural Center, on Nov. 15.
Poets have played a part in past Canal Convergences, but this year’s experience is greatly expanding their presence with nightly readings. Amber McCrary kicks off the event on Friday, Nov. 6, followed by Oscar Mancinas (Nov. 7), Bob Frost (Nov. 8), Hunter Hazelton (Nov. 9), Rashaad Thomas (Nov. 10), Walonda Williams (Nov. 11), Eloisa Amezcua (Nov. 12), Raquel Gutiérrez (Nov. 13), Kazim Ali (Nov. 14), and Sarah Vap (Nov. 15).
The expanded poetry offerings are part of an effort to bring a greater variety of artistic voices to Canal Convergence. Kevin Vaughan-Brubaker, public art manager for Scottsdale Public Arts, has been responsible for organizing the bulk of the performances for Canal Convergence for many years. This year, he took inspiration from the Americans for the Arts Annual Convention, where public policy expert Heather McGhee charged arts administrators with helping to write a more inclusive story that encompasses a greater variety of voices, including those that have been marginalized.
“Following McGhee’s call to action, I have made extra efforts to curate performers from underrepresented voices to begin writing our new American story,” Vaughan-Brubaker said.
Beyond the livestreaming performances, Movement Source Dance Company will present two in-person dance performances of “Reconnect! A Parking Lot Dance Project” on Nov. 13 and 14. Patrons will view the 30-minute program, which features the live music of Drew Bollmann and contemporary violinist Tobie Milford, from their cars on the top level of the Civic Center Library parking garage.
Performances at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, where various safety measures are in place, will also be held in conjunction with Canal Convergence. These include the Jazz Lounge offerings “Life Filled with (Stevie) Wonder” on Nov. 13 and “With a Song in My Heart, a Tribute to Doris Day” on Nov. 15.
Patrons looking for even more visual art beyond Canal Convergence’s public art installations can also stop by Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), which will have multiple exhibitions on view during Canal Convergence. And the Scottsdale Gallery Association’s Gold Palette ArtWalk on Nov. 12 includes extended hours for Old Town galleries, special activities like complimentary wine tasting, and live music and entertainment.
There will be plenty to keep art lovers busy between the virtual and physical components of Canal Convergence this year. To view the various events associated with Canal Convergence, visit CanalConvergence.com/events/. Additional information, including how to enjoy Canal Convergence safely, can be found online at CanalConvergence.com.
Prior to the experience, an online map will be available to guide you to the temporary installations and augmented reality artworks. Make sure to visit CanalConvergence.com/augmented-reality/ before venturing out to download the Hoverlay app, which is required to view the augmented reality experiences on its CanalConvergence channel.