IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Austin officials cancel South by Southwest festival

AUSTIN, TEXAS » The organizers of South By Southwest — which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors and some of Hollywood and music’s biggest stars — announced they had cancelled the annual arts and technology festival, saying they’re “devastated” but recognize it is necessary to prevent a serious threat of contagion.

Mayor Steve Adler announced a local disaster as a precaution because of the rapidly spreading new coronavirus, effectively cancelling the annual event that had been scheduled for Friday through March 22. Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt, the county’s top elected official, signed a companion disaster declaration for the county surrounding Austin. The order banned festival gatherings that would attract people from areas where COVID-19 has been found.

No one in the Austin area has been found to have the virus, Eckhardt said. However, South by Southwest was expected to have drawn an international audience into close quarters, posing a serious threat of the disease spreading.

Festival organizers noted that Austin Public Health had stated as recently as Wednesday that “there’s no evidence that closing SXSW or any other gatherings will make the community safer,” but that the situation evolved rapidly and they respect officials’ decision.

“We are devastated to share this news with you,” the organizers said in their statement. “‘The show must go on’ is in our DNA, and this is the first time in 34 years that the March event will not take place. We are working through the ramifications of this unprecedented situation.”

South By Southwest started in 1987 as a small showcase for up-and-coming bands that turned into an international extravaganza, which now includes movie premieres and performances from major artists.

David Byrne takes part in a recent South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas. Austin city officials have canceled the South by Southwest arts and technology festival.