by Jess Szabo, Arts Writer
Christmas is going to be a bit different this year, and that includes Christmas music. Christmas concerts, holiday themed open mics, and pageants are being cancelled, or at least strictly limited. But For the Good, Inc. and Phoenix Media have found a way to bring both the music and the spirit of giving to the community despite the challenges we will continue to face through the 2020 holiday season. A Christmas musical TV special is in the works, and is scheduled to air Tuesday, December 22 from 7-8 p.m. on WKTV CBS-Utica.”
“As we approach the holiday season, it occurred to me that because of the Covid-19 pandemic there will be no high school Christmas concerts, no college Christmas concerts, no music recitals, no Christmas plays or Christmas pageants. And rightly so, but, with the great success of For The Good’s benefit, Juneteenth: A Time for Love musical, that we, WKTV and our many sponsors provided for our community, I thought we should pursue a major holiday concert to air during these coming cold, dark winter months,” said For the Good, Inc. and Phoenix Media CEO and multi-disciplinary artist, Cassandra Harris-Lockwood. “I have heard from many people how good it was to have that musical on the air while in the midst of the lockdown back in June when days were bright and sunny. Imagine the impact we could have if New York has to lockdown again.”
Anyone who has that special album or playlist that brings back their best memories, or helps get them through these days of increased isolation and uncertainty knows that music does indeed have a strong impact on our emotional health and well-being, as does keeping family and community traditions alive, or starting new ones.
Even if we do not return to lockdown, increasing numbers of Covid-19 cases have caused New Yorkers to put anticipated plans for holiday concerts on pause, leaving a void in many families’ traditions. This musical tv special will be an important part of filling that void for Utica residents.
“For The Good, Inc. and Phoenix Media are in a unique position to bring love and light to the people at this seriously difficult time,” added Harris-Lockwood. “We have the ability to reach into the community to pull together a diverse and talented group of musicians and we have mastered the use of the medium to bring that comfort and joy to our friends and neighbors through the magic of modern technology.”
Shifting holiday plans, and missing out on holiday music are tough on everyone, but the battle against Covid-19 has resulted in decreased performance opportunities and income for Utica’s artist community throughout the year particularly those in the performing arts. Sponsoring this upcoming production is one way you can be a part of both providing free Christmas music, and supporting the arts in your community.
“Production costs are considerable and musicians must be paid so, your generous sponsorship is needed to make the concert a reality,” Harris-Lockwood further explained.
Because the Christmas musical event was inspired by the success of the Juneteenth concert, many of the singers from the Juneteenth performance are scheduled to perform, including Grammy Award-winning Oneida Wolf Clan member Joanne Shenandoah, T.K. Howard, and Astena Smith. Cassandra Harris-Lockwood will be taking the stage in addition to organizing the event, singing “Away in a Manger,” Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” and more. Utica Singer Theresa Mancuso will be following up her amazing Juneteenth rendition of “I Believe” with “The First Noel,” “Ave Maria,” and for the children, “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.”
Anyone who would like to sponsor the upcoming musical may choose their sponsorship level. Sponsorships range from a $500 Copper level to a $5,000 Platinum level, with each level bringing promotion for the sponsor. Regardless of the sponsorship level you may select, anyone who sponsors this important event will be bringing much needed Christmas cheer to all who watch the broadcast, and showing their support for Utica artists and independent media.
“Please join with us by taking on a Christmas musical TV special sponsorship to support the unique work of For The Good, Inc. to make this most special of Christmas concerts possible and available for our community free of charge,” said Harris-Lockwood.
Detailed information about sponsorship levels can be found below. Arrange your sponsorship today by contacting For the Good, Inc./Phoenix Media at 315-797-2417 or forthegoodinc@gmail.com
For The Good Christmas Musical Special 2020
Sponsorship Packages
Platinum $5,000
Sponsorship Benefits:
- Sponsor name listed first in program as Platinum Partner sponsor
- Daily inclusion in to date radio commercial promotion
- First named inclusion in all press and social media mentions
- December advertisement in the Utica Phoenix newspaper and website
- Your Representative will have the opportunity to record a message
Gold $2,500
Sponsorship Benefits:
- Sponsor name listed in program as Patron Gold sponsor
- Daily inclusion in to date radio commercial promotion
- 2ndnamed inclusion in all press and social media mentions
- December advertisement in the Utica Phoenix newspaper and website
- Your company will be acknowledged at the event
Silver $1,500
Sponsorship Benefits:
- Sponsor name listed in program as Benefactor Silver sponsor
- Daily inclusion in to date radio commercial promotion
- 3rdnamed inclusion in all press and social media mentions
- December advertisement in the Utica Phoenix newspaper and website
- Your company will be acknowledged at the event
Bronze $1,000
Sponsorship Benefits:
- Sponsor name listed in program as Partner sponsor
- Daily inclusion in to date radio commercial promotion
- 4thnamed inclusion in all press and social media mentions
- December advertisement in the Utica Phoenix newspaper and website
- Your company will be acknowledged at the event
Copper $500
Sponsorship Benefits:
- Sponsor name listed in program as Friend sponsor
- Daily inclusion in to date radio commercial promotion
- named inclusion in all press and social media mentions
- December advertisement in Utica Phoenix Newspaper and website
- Your company will be acknowledged at the event
This December edition of The Heat Beat is a special collaboration between Artist Cafe Utica and Phoenix Media. All content is property of Phoenix Media. This content of this article is also published on http://www.artistcafeutica.com under “Articles for Artists.”
