News Release
November 16, 2007
Contacts
Leslye Asera, Community Relations Manager (925) 671-3272
lasera@ci.concord.ca.us
Concord first city in East Bay to launch art-sculpture project
The East Bay’s first art-sculpture project will be unveiled on Saturday, Dec. 1 during Concord’s annual Mayor’s Sing Along and Tree Lighting in Todos Santos Plaza (5 to 7 p.m.).
Similar programs in other cities around the country have featured painted cows, carousel horses, pigs, antique cars and dozens of other figures. Painted hearts were the focus of San Francisco’s project, conveying the theme “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.”
Organizers will take the wraps off of Concord’s sculpture project, a blank, three-foot tall guitar. The guitar was chosen to celebrate the 20th anniversary of music programs in downtown Concord.
The art-sculpture project is called Concordstock, alluding to the 1969 music festival Woodstock, where many of the most influential musical groups of the era performed. Some of the celebrated performers that have graced Concord’s stage over the years include Jackie Greene, Shana Morrison, Roy Rogers and the Delta Rhythm Kings, the Persuasions, Maria Muldaur, Jesse Colin Young, the Ditty Bops and Bud E. Luv.
When Concord’s 2008 summer music program opens in May 2008, several dozen beautifully painted guitar sculptures will be completed and on display in businesses around the plaza. “Concordstock” guitar sculptures will each be sponsored by a local business and painted by a local artist. At the end of the summer, the guitars will be auctioned off for charity.
Concord is the first city in the East Bay to offer the community this type of public art project. Sponsors for the art project are now being sought. Sponsors located in downtown Concord contribute $600 to the program and will display the finished art piece in their store from May 1 until the sculptures are auctioned off for charity at the California Symphony pops concert in the park in September. Sponsors outside the downtown Concord area pay an additional fee to participate.
Concord launched the Music at Noon program on the Todos Santos Stage in 1988, and it has been a favorite lunchtime activity for residents and downtown employees ever since. The series runs from May to July on Tuesdays from noon to 1:30 p.m. The Farmer’s Market is also in the Plaza Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In 1997, the City launched the Music & Market series on Thursday evenings in conjunction with the Farmer’s Market. The music series runs from May through September from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The Farmer’s Market in is the Plaza from 4 to 8 p.m. Car shows and themed movie nights have been added to the Thursday night event over the past few years, making it a family favorite.
The music programs have played a critical role in the revitalization of downtown Concord, bringing people downtown and providing the community with a central meeting place.
For more information about the “Concordstock” public art program, contact Todos Santos Business Association President Virginia Thomas at 521-9922.
