Following the lead of Just for Laughs, Montreal's International Jazz Festival has cancelled its 2020 edition due to the coronavirus pandemic, marking the first time 40 years the event will not take place.
"This decision has become necessary in order to protect the public, the artists and our employees," organizers wrote in a statement. "We must follow the instructions issued by the authorities in order to put this unprecedented situation behind us as quickly as possible."
The 2020 Montreal International Jazz Festival was set to run June 25 through July 4.
Organizers noted that ticketholders for indoor fest shows will have further information "communicated to [them] as soon as possible," and are "invited to hang on to [their] tickets" in the meantime.
"We thank all of our partners for their support and celebration," the statement concludes. "We must also salute healthcare workers and first responders for their incredible work. We are with you wholeheartedly."
Find the festival's statements in English and French below. Follow Exclaim!'s list of Canadian Music and Film events affected by COVID-19.
"This decision has become necessary in order to protect the public, the artists and our employees," organizers wrote in a statement. "We must follow the instructions issued by the authorities in order to put this unprecedented situation behind us as quickly as possible."
The 2020 Montreal International Jazz Festival was set to run June 25 through July 4.
Organizers noted that ticketholders for indoor fest shows will have further information "communicated to [them] as soon as possible," and are "invited to hang on to [their] tickets" in the meantime.
"We thank all of our partners for their support and celebration," the statement concludes. "We must also salute healthcare workers and first responders for their incredible work. We are with you wholeheartedly."
Find the festival's statements in English and French below. Follow Exclaim!'s list of Canadian Music and Film events affected by COVID-19.