The Downtown Bellingham Partnership (DBP) announced today plans for a Virtual Downtown Sounds series to raise funds for local music venues that are in danger of closing their doors from the COVID-19 crisis. Three Wednesdays in August, a different beloved Bellingham venue will host a virtual Downtown Sounds concert to #SaveOurStages and to help support and preserve Bellingham's music scene for years to come.
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“Music is the heartbeat of a community's culture,” Craig Jewell, Co-Owner of the Wild Buffalo and Petty or Not band member, said. “The thought of losing that is devastating and it aches me to grasp that we are currently having to recognize that there is a reality where we could actually lose our beloved music industry. My life is now dedicated to fighting that reality and doing whatever I can to make sure that future generations will be able to love and experience live music. This concert series is one small but important step to try and preserve that goal.”
The concerts will be broadcasted at 7:00 p.m on Bellingham’s community television station, BTV. BTV is available on Comcast channels 321 (HD) and 10 (SD) and via YouTube live at cob.org/btvlive.
“We understand live-stream concerts are abundant right now,” Lindsey Payne Johnstone, Events Director for the Downtown Bellingham Partnership, said. “Our goal is to help raise funds for these venues that we know and love. If you would normally be enjoying a beer or wine in the beverage garden on Bay Street, consider donating that $5 to our venue support fund.”
Donations can be made on the “Save Our Stages: Downtown Bellingham” Facebook Fundraiser page and also through the Downtown Bellingham Partnership’s website. Funds raised will go directly to the Wild Buffalo, The Shakedown and Boundary Bay.
This virtual experience is made possible by WECU, RAM Construction, Freeland & Associates, Jeff Braimes – Real Estate for Real People, Cascadia Weekly and the City of Bellingham.
