CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The coronavirus is the cause of more event cancellations.
The City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced Tuesday, with regret, the cancellation of four beloved annual events and what would have been a new citywide celebration of music.
Due to the cancellation of these major music festivals, Mayor Lightfoot and DCASE will extend the 2020 Year of Chicago Music into 2021. The Year of Chicago Music will continue this year and throughout next year, to amplify the excitement and momentum building across the local industry. Many of the initiatives planned for 2020 will extend into 2021 — specifically, Chicago In Tune and the return of the House music, Gospel music, and Blues festivals.
“These cancellations are disappointing to all of us here in Chicago, particularly for the countless individuals who worked so hard to organize an extraordinary Year of Chicago Music,” said Mayor Lightfoot, in a statement. “Nonetheless, these difficult, but necessary steps were taken in order to ensure the health and safety of our residents and visitors, which continues to be our utmost priority throughout the COVID-19 crisis. As upsetting as it is to remove these events from our calendar, we are already looking forward to next year where we’ll be pulling out all the stops for a festival season Chicago will never forget.”
As the city continues to recognize the Year of Chicago Music, DCASE will offer digital content and virtual concerts in lieu of the 2020 House music, Gospel music and Blues festivals. Additionally, Mayor Lightfoot and DCASE are presenting livestreamed performances by local musicians on Instagram Live and Facebook every Sunday.
"These special events are Chicago summertime traditions," said Commissioner Mark Kelly of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, in a statement. "While we recognize this is disappointing news for our artists, participants and attendees, we are committed to honoring and engaging them in new ways — and, at this difficult time, pivoting to advocate for and support our local arts and events sector through the Arts for Illinois Relief Fund and many other efforts."
Earlier this month, Gov. J.B. Pritzker signaled that it won't be business as usual for large summer events this year. In other words, concerts, festivals and other activities where crowds gather are not likely to happen, even if other types of COVID-19-related restrictions are lifted.
Pritzker, who has issued a "stay at home" order for Illinoisans through April 30, said the risk of a novel coronavirus resurgence is too great, without a vaccine in hand.
“I think everybody needs to think seriously about canceling large summer events,” Pritzker said Thursday at his daily coronavirus briefing with reporters. “From my perspective today, I do not see how we are going to have large gatherings of people again until we have a vaccine, which is months and months away, I would not risk having large groups of people getting together anywhere. And I think that’s hard for everybody to hear. But that’s just a fact.”