Join HOSR in celebrating its 50th anniversary by connecting and competing with competitors and friends across the country and around the world! Along with virtual racing, HOSR is hosting a full week of virtual programming. Each evening from October 18-24 we will hold a themed hour-long program, all with the goal of engaging competitors, the rowing community, and beyond.
Nightly programming will begin at 7:00PM (ET) and can be accessed through the Head of the Schuylkill Regatta’s YouTube channel and facebook page. All are welcome! And if you miss an evening, videos will be available on YouTube for viewing.
Sunday, October 18. Opening Ceremony & Concert
On a typical regatta weekend, we would begin racing with the singing of the National Anthem by the Three Angels statue. While a few traditions will not be recognized this year, this one will live on, and be complemented by a welcome from our Executive Director and City representatives, an overview of virtual racing and nightly programming, as well as announcement of the winning artwork for the 2020 HOSR Program Book Cover Art Contest. Then get ready groove as the HOSR continues one of its latest traditions, Rockin’ on the River, featuring Eliot Lewis! Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqJyerH3VOc
Eliot Lewis has a career most musicians could only dream of. Eliot is not only a member of Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, Daryl Hall & John Oates band, but also the original featured musician on the award-winning web and Tv show, “Live From Daryl’s House”. Eliot has played alongside Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Joe Walsh, Todd Rundgren, Train, Grace Potter, Ben Folds, Cheap Trick, Rob Thomas, Jason Mraz, Darius Rucker, Gavin DeGraw and many, many others. As a solo artist, Eliot has captivated audiences all over the country with his electric performances live and now virtually. https://eliotlewis.com/
Monday, October 19. 50 Years. 50 Stories
A very happy hour celebrating the people and stories accumulated over 50 years through the history of HOSR, Philadelphia’s largest and most inclusive regatta. This is a chance to hear, firsthand, the stories and the legends that have made the Schuylkill River and Boathouse Row so important to the greater rowing community, and special in our hearts. An all-star cast will introduce the 50 Years. 50 Stories initiative discuss the importance of archiving, and of course, share (and debate) stories of HOSR and rowing past…to be passed down through generations. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVXLPzHBauc
Tuesday, October 20. ‘Love Letter to Philadelphia’
Our ‘Love Letter to Philadelphia’ celebrates the City, the Schuylkill River and Fairmount Park, and the community that has been essential to the history of American rowing and served as the backdrop to the HOSR for 50 years. We have gathered the people who work behind the scenes to make it all happen, continuing the tradition of rowing for competitors, recreationalists, and spectators alike. Learn why Philadelphia has long been home to many of the country’s legendary regattas, and remains the location where champions are made. Moderated by Dotty Brown, the evening will welcome Kathryn Ott Lovell, Commissioner/Philadelphia Parks & Recreation; Jim Cuorato, President & CEO/Independence Visitor Center; Larry Needle, Executive Director, PHL Sports; Bill McNabb, President/Gold Cup Foundation, and Jane Golden, ED, Philadelphia Mural Arts. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pdyHjlqxEA
Wednesday, October 21. A Diversity & Inclusion Panel featuring Arshay Cooper
The HO
SR is proud to host a panel featuring author Arshay Cooper, whose memoir Suga Water, is the subject of the movie “A Most Beautiful Thing”. The movie chronicles the first African American high school rowing team in the nation (made up of young men from the West Side of Chicago, many of whom were from rival gangs, all coming together to row in the same boat). The film takes a deep dive into the backstories of these young men, examining the issues of intergenerational trauma and violence. As the team’s captain, Arshay Cooper, reflected, “When we were on the water, we were in a place where we couldn’t hear the sound of sirens or bullets, and that allowed us to shape a different vision for ourselves, of who and what we could become. And that was a beautiful thing.” Join Arshay and friends Richard Butler, Denise Aquino, Jorlui Sillau and Jessica Smith for a talk-back focusing on actionable ways to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the sport of rowing. Seating is limited, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiRnP8HWEe8
Friday, October 23.
Women of the Row (WOTR) Happy Hour
Join us for a night of conversation with WOTR and learn what boathouses/clubs are doing to survive and thrive during the pandemic and dredge. Hear from some WOTR who are making an impact in our community and how you can get involved. Connect, reconnect and engage. All welcome (yes, men too)! Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIaVOWMgavI
Saturday, October 24. Closing Ceremony & Concert
Join u
s as we celebrate our first virtual week in the books of our 50th anniversary year! We’ll highlight stories from the week, race results, and a few new traditions, and cap off with a Rockin’ on the River concert, featuring Jack Saint Clair, live from Boathouse Row. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dFhlnbx-2o
Jack Saint Clair is a Philly-based composer and arranger. He’s supplied charts for the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia under direction of Terell Stafford, the Temple University Jazz Orchestra, and the Dutch Concert Big Band. Jack is the leader, conductor, and sole writer for the Jack Saint Clair Orchestra, a 17-piece big band that performs the first Thursday of the month at LaRose Jazz Club. In addition to his writing, Jack performs regularly as a saxophonist with Chelsea Reed and the Fair Weather Nine and the Epoché Saxophone Quartet. https://www.jacksaintclair.com/