Event organisers scramble to reschedule as lockdown looms
Many would be receiving emails declaring cancellations of events during lockdown. So which ones will reschedule? And which ones are gone for good?
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Organisers are scrambling to reschedule major festivals and events set for the rest of the month in the wake of the state’s seven-day lockdown.
The Beer and BBQ Festival, slated for this weekend at the Adelaide Showground, has been pushed back to September, but it might be lights out for Illuminate Adelaide, the new winter arts festival which only launched on Saturday.
Illuminate creative directors Lee Cumberlidge and Rachael Azzopardi confirmed all shows, including the popular van Gogh Alive exhibition in North Adelaide, have been cancelled for the duration of the SA lockdown.
But the duo haven’t ruled out continuing the festival post-lockdown, with the official closing date set for August 1.
“While we are disappointed, the safety of all South Australians is paramount,” they said in statement. “We remain optimistic that we can shine the lights on Adelaide again.”
Illuminate was already forced to postpone its opening outdoor events last week, Light Cycles and Light Creatures, due to bad weather.
Gareth Lewis, director of the Beer and BBQ Festival, said he was left with “no choice” but to postpone the event until September 24-26.
“We’re determined to make this event happen,” he said. “Thank you to everyone who bought tickets. We throw this festival for you, and we can’t wait to crack a few cold ones with you this September.”
Mr Lewis also said he would be “heavily lobbying” the State and Federal Governments for “immediate financial support for events, venues and their staff and contractors who have been forced to cancel, close or postpone with little warning and no safety net.”
Melbourne rockers Smith Street Band and punk groups Bodyjar and 28 Days were some of the music acts set to join more than 100 brewers, cidermakers, distillers and winemakers at the three-day event.
Among the growing list of events cancelled include this weekend’s Winter Reds food and wine festival in the Adelaide Hills. Organisers remain hopeful of rescheduling the annual event for later this year.
The Alpine Winter Festival at Glenelg, which recently extended its run by a week until July 25, has been shut down but could return once restrictions ease.
This year’s live music Umbrella Festival has pulled the pin on 80 performances in 40 venues across SA. There’s optimism the program, which only launched on Saturday and was set to run until August 8, will resume after lockdown.
Remaining shows at the Adelaide Guitar Festival have either been cancelled or postponed until further notice.
Other Festival Theatre performances postponed this week include two concerts by The Ten Tenors on Wednesday, two performances of The World of Musicals on Thursday and Friday, and the Beatles tribute Let It Be Live on Saturday.
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