Organizers behind Ottawa's RBC Bluesfest have cancelled their 2020 event due to coronavirus.
"Having been at the helm of RBC Bluesfest since 1994, I can say that although we have weathered many storms, including a tornado in 2005, a stage collapse in 2011, and a family of stubborn killdeers in 2018, COVID-19 is one that we cannot overcome in 2020," executive director Mark Monahan said in a statement today.
Monahan expressed that the decision to cancel was not taken lightly.
"Over the past several weeks, we have listened to advice from healthcare professionals and government officials, and heard the concerns of our patrons," he explained. "We fully agree that public health must come first — now and always — and support the measures being taken to ensure the health of our community."
All ticketholders will be entitled to a refund, with further information from Front Gate Tickets expected to arrive on May 1.
Ticketholders will also be able to transfer their stubs to 2021. Organizers have been working to reschedule this year's acts for next year's festival and have currently booked Billy Talent, Blink-182, Blue Rodeo, Boyz II Men, Dashboard Confessional, Jack Johnson, July Talk, King Crimson, Lil Tecca, Patrick Watson, Sharon Van Etten and the National.
RBC Bluesfest 2020 was also set to feature Rage Against the Machine, Alanis Morissette and Daniel Caesar, among many others.
You can learn more about ticket refunds at the RBC Bluesfest website, as well as watch Monahan deliver his message below.
"Having been at the helm of RBC Bluesfest since 1994, I can say that although we have weathered many storms, including a tornado in 2005, a stage collapse in 2011, and a family of stubborn killdeers in 2018, COVID-19 is one that we cannot overcome in 2020," executive director Mark Monahan said in a statement today.
Monahan expressed that the decision to cancel was not taken lightly.
"Over the past several weeks, we have listened to advice from healthcare professionals and government officials, and heard the concerns of our patrons," he explained. "We fully agree that public health must come first — now and always — and support the measures being taken to ensure the health of our community."
All ticketholders will be entitled to a refund, with further information from Front Gate Tickets expected to arrive on May 1.
Ticketholders will also be able to transfer their stubs to 2021. Organizers have been working to reschedule this year's acts for next year's festival and have currently booked Billy Talent, Blink-182, Blue Rodeo, Boyz II Men, Dashboard Confessional, Jack Johnson, July Talk, King Crimson, Lil Tecca, Patrick Watson, Sharon Van Etten and the National.
RBC Bluesfest 2020 was also set to feature Rage Against the Machine, Alanis Morissette and Daniel Caesar, among many others.
You can learn more about ticket refunds at the RBC Bluesfest website, as well as watch Monahan deliver his message below.