Content sponsored by the Lake George Music Festival
There’s an exciting music festival in the works for September – yes, this September, 2020! Whether you’re ready to attend a live music event or you’d prefer to stay at home, LGMF gives you a way to sit back and enjoy sensational music.
LGMF In-Person Drive-In Concerts: September 19 – 20
The Drive-In Concerts are scheduled for September 19 and 20 in Charles R. Wood Park and will be visually enhanced by a large screen video. We can expect to see performances by members of major orchestras such as the Philharmonic and graduates of renowned schools like Julliard.
Guests will watch the concerts from their car or truck. Depending on state guidelines in September guests may be able to bring a chair to place within arm’s length of their vehicle. Listen to the amplified performance or tune into a synced audio feed via FM radio. Tickets are $25 per car, per night, and guests can attend one concert or both.
“The weather is typically beautiful and cool in September, and generally less crowded than peak summer,” LGMF President and CEO Alexander Lombard said. He added that concerts are at 7:30 in the evening when it’s cooler (and will conclude by 9pm). “Every car will have their own socially distanced space to enjoy some truly accomplished world performers in a beautiful outdoor setting by Lake George.”
Cars will be parked every other space and in single rows to comply with social distancing guidelines, so the number of spaces available is significantly reduced. If you’re toying with the idea of attending don’t wait to buy those tickets!
LGMF Virtual Festival: September 13 – 18
Prior to the Drive-In Concerts is the Virtual Festival from September 13 to 18, when you can get pumped up for the live event! The Virtual Festival spans six days, includes six online concerts, and features a whopping 40 musicians who would have performed at the originally planned Festival.
One of the performer highlights is the Ensemble in Residence Hub New Music. This Boston-based quartet includes a flute, clarinet, violin, and cello, and they’ve made headlines for their cutting-edge classical music and ability to draw the audience into the experience with them. It sounds like they’re the perfect group to bring a virtual performance to life!
There are a few different options for tickets, depending on if you want the full season pass to watch all concerts, or if you prefer to pick and choose performances.
Stay Connected With the Arts & Culture Scene of Lake George (And Discover Something New!)
The traditional Festival typically takes place over a two-week time frame in August, involves a variety of events that go beyond performances, and showcases a wide range of music from traditional orchestral works to dynamic experimental pieces. The Festival has developed a reputation of making world-class music accessible to everyone in a vibrant, fun setting like Lake George.
Of course, this popular annual event had to be reevaluated for 2020, and LGMF delivers with this two-part series of in-person and virtual events.
“We’re trying to fill the void to any and all culturally starved regional residents,” is what Lombard told us when we chatted about this year’s events. “While everyone’s favorite festivals, concerts, and other events have all been cancelled, there is something something special on tap for September in Lake George.”
Drop any preconceived notions you have about classical music being old fashioned or dull – these energetic and exciting performances are anything but!
Why This is a Nonprofit You’ll Want to Get Behind
Yes, the incredible, groundbreaking music is reason enough to check out the LGMF events. However, now more than ever we’re thinking about where we’re putting our money and how we’re spending our time.
This is an organization that turns Lake George into an arts and culture destination through their unwavering commitment to guide, nurture, and highlight talented young musicians. Festival participants are typically welcomed by locals for this two-week period each August (many families host a musician in their own homes), yielding an environment of camaraderie and community.
Your support of this organization that brings the Lake George region so much through performances, post concert receptions, and more fun events can ensure we all can enjoy the Lake George Music Festival for years to come. Who knows – you might discover a new artist or genre you didn’t even know you loved!