Traveling art program brings entertainment to Santa Cruz parks

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION) A traveling art program is putting on performances in local parks.

The program is called Keep on Truckin' and is lead by Santa Cruz-based company Tandy Beal & Company. The program consists of various performing artists putting on 20-minute shows in Santa Cruz parks before packing things up and moving on to their next destination.

Tandy Beal, the artistic director of Tandy Beal & Company, says she got the idea to start this on-the-go art program last summer out of pandemic fatigue and worry for the artistic community. She says that with so many people out of work, including artists, she wanted to find a way to help but continue to follow CDC guidelines.

"If we could do this, then we can help support artists and we can support the community by going into the community areas. There's a neighborhood feeling that can come up about that," says Beal.

For Claudia Villela and Ricardo Peixoto, this idea was a dream finally realized.

"We always had this dream of going out in a truck and playing for music for people and so that was perfect," says Villela.

For audience members and musicians alike, they were excited to see some live music in the midst of the pandemic.

"I think it's so important, I think so much of the healing is going to happen when live music returns," says an audience member.

Beal also wanted to remind people to stay strong.

“Keep on truckin' and keep just our spirits, keep our hope, and be able to be inspired even when we're fatigued and confused and depressed," says Beal

For more details concerning futures performances, click here.