Vancouver jazz festival cancelled

Another iconic Vancouver cultural event has been cancelled due to COVID-19, this time the Vancouver International Jazz Festival.

Earlier this week, Bard on the Beach announced its 2020 billing at Vanier Park would not go ahead.

In a prepared statement, a jazz festival spokesperson said the management team had been meeting over the past month and has decided not to go ahead with the festival that was planned for June 19-28.

“Our team has been working non-stop to consider how we might be able to present a festival in 2020,” the statement read.

“But over the past month, as the COVID-19 crisis has accelerated, it has become clear that it won’t be possible to do so in a safe manner. With the support and advice of our board, we have made the hugely disappointing decision to cancel this year’s festival. We are saddened to make this announcement, but we believe it is the right and responsible thing to do in order to protect our patrons, artists, staff, and community.”

Tickets already purchased will be refunded.