Augusta Heritage Center of Davis & Elkins College Executive Director Seth Young has been selected as an industry leader by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA). Young and a panel of entertainment producers will present a discussion exploring lessons learned from promoting music online and at in-person, COVID safe events in a Facebook Live event at 1 p.m. March 4.
The free presentation, “The Show Must Go On: Producing Events in Uncertain Times,” is open to anyone on or off Facebook. It can be accessed at https://www.facebook.com/events/1407673042906535.
“In the summer of 2020, we knew we were going to have to make an extreme pivot if we were to safely achieve our goals. Our top priorities are keeping our community connected and engaged while promoting and uplifting traditional culture bearers,” Young explained. “Thanks to an amazing effort by an incredible team, we were able to create an online learning platform to host lessons, cultural sessions, concerts and documentary premiers.”
The panel of veteran festival, venue and music camp producers will address the impacts of COVID and explore ways to move forward, despite the ongoing uncertainties of the pandemic. Areas of discussion will include ticketing, obstacles and advantages to maintaining a virtual presence, developing a budget, creating a consistent COVID mitigation policy with effective communication to enhance compliance, and managing high contact gathering points such as catering, concessions and merch sales. A question-and-answer session and performance by Country Gongbang from South Korea will follow.
Lee Stivers, a member of IBMA’s Leadership Bluegrass Alumni Committee will serve as moderator. In addition to Young, other panelists are Patrice O’Neill from Wintergrass and Joe Lurgio from The Caverns.
IBMA is the non-profit music association that connects, educates and empowers bluegrass professionals and enthusiasts, honoring tradition and encouraging innovation in the bluegrass community worldwide.
To receive information about Augusta Heritage Center events, join the email list by contacting organizers at augustaheritagecenter@dewv.edu.
Seth Young
