City cancels Oregon Symphony's Waterfront Concert

It's disappointing to learn that the City will not be funding the Oregon Symphony's Waterfront Concert this year. According to the orchestra's press release (below), the popular concert has been axed. However, Sunday's print edition of The Oregonian stated that the budget is not as bad as it had looked (see "A surprise budget reversal in the Metro section). I'm wondering if it will continue to improve through the summer, and that there may still be a chance to have the concert, which was scheduled for August 29th.

Here's the press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 17, 2013

                                                                                                               

FUNDING CUTS FROM THE CITY OF PORTLAND AND

THE REGIONAL ARTS AND CULTURE COUNCIL

FORCE CANCELLATION OF WATERFRONT CONCERT

 

(PORTLAND, Ore.) –  Recent budget cuts mandated by the City and made by the Regional Arts and Culture Council have resulted in the cancellation of this year’s Waterfront Concert.

Realizing the importance of this concert to the thousands of Portland residents of all ages, ethnicities, and neighborhoods who attend each year, the Symphony made a last ditch effort to find new sponsors for the popular end-of-summer event.  When none could be found, the concert—like so many other worthwhile endeavors whose funding disappeared during these challenging fiscal times—was no longer possible.

It is anticipated that this will be a one-year hiatus for the popular event.

“Facing an unprecedented $21.5 million shortfall in the budget, the city had to make some pretty tough decisions this year,” Mayor Charlie Hales said. “Some popular and terrific programs couldn’t be funded this time, and the Waterfront Concert is a good example. But the concert will be in my proposed budget for 2014-15, if the city’s revenue picture improves – and we’re expecting that it will.”