Oakland County's Arts, Beats and Eats Canceled For 2020

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI — Arts, Beats and Eats is canceled for 2020 due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic, organizers announced Wednesday. But organizers are planning alternative virtual and drive-in events in its stead.

Organizers said they are planning fundraisers for local musicians through virtual and capacity drive-in concerts throughout Labor Day Weekend.

"While the festival has been canceled, virtual and small-scale live activation will take its place to spread a little bit of art, music, food and health, including a major effort to support the local music industry," organizers said in a note on social media.

Don't miss important updates from health and government officials on the impact of the coronavirus in Michigan. Sign up for Patch's daily newsletters and email alerts.

All events have been constructed in collaboration with the Oakland County Health Department and meet current State of Michigan event guidelines and safety protocols, organizers said.

Organizers are accepting donations that will go to local musicians that derive 50 percent or more of their income from music, according to a news release. The donations will be seeded with a contribution from Oakland County, with the hopes of raising more than $500,000 for local musicians.

“We applaud the commitment to work closely with our health department on entertainment plans, and the creativity to help musicians,” said Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter. “I know so many of our local musicians have been severely impacted because of the pandemic, with most events and performances canceled. We see you, and value your work in our community, and we will work together to get through this together.”

In addition to the fundraising initiative, more than 400 bands across nearly 15 genres will perform virtual concerts to raise money for the cause, Aug. 27 through Sept. 3. Each virtual concert will serve as a fundraiser for the band, while bringing shows to their fans. Bands keep their own funds raised.

Funds garnered through the donation link here will be earmarked and split by qualifying local performers whose pre-coronavirus earnings were more than 50 percent generated by music-related and band performance income.