SAN FRANCISCO—The free Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival put on in the city of San Francisco by the Hellman Foundation since 2001 was canceled for this year. The event had been hosted at Golden Gate State Park, but organizers have made it virtual for October 2-4. The festival will stream a selection of “newly recorded performances, archival footage from fans & our archives, interviews, as well as the history of HSB,” said organizers on the Hardly Strictly website.

They encourage fans to lend their talents to their “Let the Music Play On,” theme this year by “sending us your favorite memories via written stories, videos, and photos,” using a google form found on their website. “All contributions are welcome and appreciated, and will be considered for inclusion in October’s broadcast,” the site states

See you at 4! HardlyStrictlyBluegrass.com #loslobos

A post shared by Hardly Strictly Bluegrass (@hardlystrictlybluegrass) on Jul 25, 2020 at 3:29pm PDT

Los Lobos live-streamed a performance on July 25, at 4 p.m. and updated fans on the changes to the festival this October.

A Hardly Strictly Music Relief Fund initiative of $1.5 million was set up by the Hellman Foundation “to support our local music community during the COVID-19 pandemic.” An application and deadlines will arrive in August.

Hardly Strictly encourages musicians and venues to apply.

“American roots musicians living in San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Mateo, and Sonoma Counties are invited to apply for up to $2,000 in one-time, unrestricted support. Music venues with a track record of presenting American roots styles from across the Bay Area are invited to nominate themselves for this grant opportunity. A select number of nominated venues will be invited to submit a formal application for $100,000-$200,000 grants,” organizers stated on their website.

To access additional information about the music relief fund and the Hardly Strictly website.