Press release from the Redwood Coast Music Festival Board of Directors:

The Redwood Coast Music Festival (RCMF) Board of Directors announced that the 2020 event has been cancelled due to safety concerns surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.

 

The board also announced that next year’s festival has been scheduled for May 6 – 9.

A statement released by the RCMF board said, “Our deepest thoughts go out to all of you—our friends, our community, the hard-working artists that will struggle with cancellations, the production and operations crews whom count on the work, our volunteers, vendors and sponsors who’ve been so supportive, and also our RCMF team which has been working on this event, non-stop for a year. We are all equally disappointed but we all also realize that safety should be everyone’s most important concern at this time.”

In a message to ticket holders and sponsors, the board asked those that are able to consider rolling over tickets and sponsorships to 2021. “This will help us meet our obligations for shutting down and allow us to make the necessary commitments to our musicians and venues for 2021. We are working to develop the process by which our 2020 ticket holders will be able to use them for next year. Hold on to your tickets and we will let you know soon.”

If requested, refunds will be made. Ticket holders should email the RCMF at accounting@redwoodjazz.org with the words “Ticket Refund Request” in the subject line. “Due to governmental safety restrictions, the RCMF office is closed until at least April 9 but as soon as we are allowed we will respond and work with you,” according to the statement.

“When we booked this lineup 10 months ago, we were so excited about the incredible music that would be in Eureka in May 2020,” the statement reads. “A fantastic lineup was booked featuring talented musicians, new venues, full dance floors and the joy this spreads through the entire community. Friends and connections that we would meet, reconnect with as we celebrated live music and the best Eureka has to offer. These disappointments are fresh in our minds but we’re going to refocus our energies on safety first and then begin building something positive for the future. Our work for 2021 begins now.

“We want to let our community of artists know that we will be here for them during these challenging times. Many of these dedicated musicians live gig to gig, on the road, pouring their souls into the shows that all of us reap the rewards of. It’s going to be extra difficult for them, so while we may be upset about this inconvenience, we’re working to bring as many back in 2021 as possible. This includes the 12 Humboldt bands that were booked along with 40 touring groups. Juggling schedules is always a difficult thing but we’re working to make it happen.

“Thank you for your continued support through these uncertain times. Please be safe, be well and take care of your loved ones.”