a Virtual Celebration

Due to COVID-19, it was not an option to gather an audience for the show, so plan B involved nding a venue where performers could safely distance, and would be suitable for livestreaming.

The new plan also included drawing on the expertise of Ariel Wethern, who coordinates and manages social media for the show. Jenkins is especially grateful for Wethern’s skills and her ability to share how to keep the show relevant through social media platforms. She also credits Jon Dahl for his video expertise and with making the livestream accessible on YouTube.

Jenkins is really looking forward to this year, as last year, for the rst time, the main show was cancelled on very short notice due to weather.

Despite recent challenges, the focus for Jenkins and the other board members continues to be supporting young women in the arts — whether providing nancial awards, mentoring or networking opportunities, or just encouraging them. It’s also what drives her to continue the show, which Jenkins started 24 years ago, along with the support from the performers, award winners and the community.

Sara Smith is a previous award winner and a performer this year, taking the stage with her long-time friend and fellow musician, Sydney Quibell, who is an award winner from last year. Smith says, “We have grown up playing guitar and violin together so it will be a lot of fun being able to play for the celebration.”

Smith credits her music mentors as in uences — Sarah Lang (her longtime violin instructor), Brian Cole (her rst orchestra conductor) and Bud Larsen (the luthier she apprenticed with to build a hardanger ddle).

In addition to playing piano, Smith originally played ddle music but then joined the FM Area Youth Symphony and began taking classical violin lessons as well. For the past 10 years Smith and her family have attended the Old-Time Fiddle Weekend at the International Music Camp which, she says, “was where my love for ddle music and ‘jamming’ began.”

Encouraged to apply by her choir teacher Mrs. Lichtblau, Quibell was an award winner last year, and had selected the song “Trust in You” by Lauren Daigle. She says she loves the message the song gives and hopes to share that message with as many people as possible.

Trained in piano through the Suzuki method at a young age, and skilled with other instruments, Quibell credits her parents with inspiring her as a musician. She adds, “I’ve also felt called to be present with music in ministry and lots of individuals from church helped me grow as a musician as well.”

She is looking forward to the show, playing with her dear friend Sara Smith and also her cousin Faith Weibye. Quibell says, “I’m so blessed to have them by my side as I create music with them.”

For the Celebration of Women board and volunteers, the challenge now is to get the word out about the show. Jenkins says it’s about “letting people know that you can be in the comfort of your home in your pajamas with a beverage and popcorn and watch the whole performance. All people have to do is buy a ticket. Then they will receive a link the day of the show.”

THE CELEBRATION of WOMEN and THEIR MUSIC

is Saturday February 20 at 6 p.m., live from TAK Music Venue

For tickets go to: debjenkins.com/ celebrationofwomen.html

PERFORMERS :

Connie Gjermundson

Madison Hokstad — 2020 Award Winner

Janey Hudson — 2020 Award Winner

Rachel Ianiro

Deb Jenkins

Pat Lenertz Band

Sarah Morrau

Taylor Paige — 2018 Award Winner

Sydney Quibell — 2020 Award Winner

Sara Smith — 2019 Award Winner

Jesse Veeder

Nita Velo

Faith Weibye — 2020 Award Winner

Visit the organization's Facebook page for more frequent updates including this year’s award winners.