Art Of Elan Plans To Bring Music To San Diego’s Neighborhoods For Season 14

Art of Elan was already planning to dedicate their 14th season to the exploration of transformation before the world truly changed before our eyes and arts organizations were forced to cease a majority of their programming.

Executive/Artistic Director Kate Hatmaker was drawn to the concept of transformation and how it allows for massive change on both a micro and macro level.

“We can easily observe transformation in our day-to-day lives: in our children, in our gardens, in the food we prepare and cook, but larger shifts are also happening all the time, even without our awareness, and this is where we can have a real impact as artists.”

Musical Migrations to Activate Neighborhoods throughout San Diego

In a creative programming spin, Art of Elan will launch Season 14 with a series of Musical Migrations that are designed to activate neighborhoods throughout San Diego. These are similar to progressive dinners where different courses are served at different houses. Short musical performances will activate various neighborhoods of San Diego with miniature walkabout-style performances that allow for 8-10 audience members at specific houses or sites where a small group of musicians will be stationed.

Musical Migrations will get the audience moving around a specific neighborhood, usually walking 1-2 blocks between each performance “venue.” Musical Migration concerts will take place on the second Sunday of each month, starting on September 13, 4:00 pm, in North Park.

Each concert will be able to accommodate a total of 30-40 audience members in a round-robin structure between 3-4 houses/locations. Performances at each porch/front yard/venue will be brief (10 min) and will follow all current health and safety guidelines issued by the county and state, with audience members wearing masks and distanced appropriately on the sidewalk. Patrons will receive access to a QR code, instead of a printed program, which will provide details about the performers, the selections and the venues.

Art of Elan has engaged several community partners to help spotlight the neighborhoods. For the East Village Tour, they have collaborated with Vanguard Culture. In La Jolla, they have teamed with Murals of La Jolla and Athenaeum Music and Arts Library to spotlight the visually exciting outdoor mural project.

“Transformation is truly a journey of discovery–one that offers up opportunity for real growth. As artists and people, we have seen our world completely transform over these past few months and it is now our moment to effect real change,” states Hatmaker. “Art of Elan recognizes the power of the arts to be a tool for both healing and liberation, and has committed its 14th season to transforming people’s expectations and experiences, as well as providing a bit of inspiration during these challenging times.”