With regret, the Ventura Music Festival announces the postponement of its 26th music festival, set for the last two weekends in July 2020.
“We’re disappointed virus-related conditions necessitated this decision,” said VMF board President Richard Reisman. “We want supporters to know, however, that the 26th festival is deferred, not cancelled. It has been moved to July 2021 with the expectation that most if not all this year’s artists will participate. In the interim, we are considering offerings to present later this year and into 2021.”
As to what those offerings might be, VMF chief executive Susan Scott says that “when the only certainty is uncertainty, creativity and innovation come to the fore along with the necessity to be nimble. Assuming conditions permit 60 or more days’ readiness, we can present 3-4 live, fully staged concerts between Fall 2020 and June 2021, with distanced seating and other measures as required.”
Also on the drawing board, according to Scott: larger events that can be staged outdoors, as well as more intimate programs set in homes and smaller venues. New digital and virtual music offerings are in the mix, including for VMF’s elementary school audience. And, she added, “We’re about to commence important conversations with key supporters whose ongoing input is critical to how we go forward in the months ahead. A ‘new normal’ is coming and we need to know what it is and what our audience wants.”
Now in its 26th season, the mission of the Ventura Music Festival is to bring world-class music to the community, foster audience-artist relationships, and enhance the joy of music through offerings for all ages. VMF seeks to create an inclusive, welcoming environment in which people both see and hear themselves reflected in the music. For more information visit www.venturamusicfestival.org.
