The Levitt AMP Utica Music Series team announces today that after a decade, this season will be the last of the popular free music series.

The series began with their 2016 season and at first, the grant was awarded year-to-year; they had to go through an annual reapplication process and public voting period. In 2022, the Levitt Foundation evolved their support for cities across the country and Utica was awarded a 3-year grant that finishes in 2025. Utica is one of 33 cities across the country in the AMP grant program and part of a nationwide movement to activate underused outdoor spaces through live music and invigorate community life.

The series has been a great quality of life complement to the economic improvements Utica has been experiencing.

Michelle McCarrick, the coordinator for the series who has been involved since the first season, states, “This work has been rewarding for all involved and transformative for this small park in Oneida Square. It has shown consistency in quality programming, care for a challenged neighborhood and has taken out all the barriers for community members to have access to high caliber music.”

She adds, “We made this decision after years of consideration and planning. We are extremely proud of the work we have done in showcasing amazing talent on stage, deepening community connections, providing opportunities for up-and-coming artists and youth performers, and positioning our series as a creative training ground for youth. We are closing out the series on a high note, as we had hoped.”

The series has welcomed 90 bands, 60 youth intermission acts, 32 interns and assistants and numerous team members and volunteers. It averaged hiring between 140-150 individuals who work in the arts each season, including photographers, videographers, graphic designers, sound/lighting professionals, marketers, artists and more. The concerts reached over 30,000 people in total (anticipating close to 35,000 after the 2025 season), producing the most diverse audience in the city year after year – reflective and inclusive of the make-up of our area.

Over these past ten years, just over $600,000 has been invested in the series thanks to the Levitt Foundation, The Community Foundation of Herkimer and Oneida Counties and various local foundations and businesses. Combining in-kind professional services, park improvements, hospitality and more, a total of $1.6 million has been invested in the arts in Oneida Square as a result of having this series in our city. Approximately $22,000 of the Levitt AMP Utica budget each year has gone back into the downtown Utica economy supporting various vendors, hotel, food and beverage and more.

Gabriella Marchesani-LaFond, the Talent Booker for the series adds, “We hope that the many years of activation and creative use of Kopernik Park inspires others to continue trying new things, showing the neighborhood that it can continue being a destination for the arts and a joyful space for our diverse community to come together. The music has been the vehicle. Strengthening the social fabric of our community is the result.”

The series kicked off on Monday, July 7 and will have concerts every Monday and two Fridays through August 29. Music lovers are encouraged to take advantage of seeing national touring bands and local/regional openings and enjoy Levitt AMP Utica’s last season!

About the Levitt Foundation

​​The Levitt AMP Utica Music Series is supported in part by the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, which partners with changemakers and nonprofits across the country to activate underused outdoor spaces, creating welcoming and inclusive destinations where the power of free, live music brings people together, fosters belonging, and invigorates community life. www.levitt.org.