Strathmore Performing Arts Festival cancelled

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By Christine Foshaug Times Contributor

Local musicians and performers will have to wait until next spring to showcase their talents to the community.
On March 15, the Strathmore Performing Arts Festival (SPAF) board made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s event, which had seen a 35 per cent increase in registration from the previous year.
Leading up to March 15, the SPAF board had been discussing possible scenarios for this year’s festival as the COVID-19 pandemic worsened. With a ban on gatherings of more than 250 people, they discussed the probable cancellation of the showcase concert and final awards. But with the subsequent closure of schools and churches, the board had no other choice but to cancel the entire 2020 festival.
“It was such a hard decision to make because we knew our participants would be so disappointed,” said SPAF president Carolyn Steeves. “This was one of the main events on their cultural calendar for the year. Costumes and accompanists were ready, performance attire was bought, ensembles such as duets, quartets and small groups were rehearsed. Everyone was prepared. The end happened so fast.”
Almost all of the music festivals around the province have been cancelled, with just a few taking place before the pandemic hit. While no decision has been made about the provincial festival, Steeves points out that, if it does go ahead, it will look very different.
Next year’s SPAF has been scheduled for March 19-April 1, 2021. Most donors are allowing their donations to be carried to next year’s festival, explained Steeves. The same is true for solo participants who are allowing their registration fees to carry over.
“Our volunteer coordinator had the 2020 SPAF army of volunteers all scheduled and ready to go,” said Steeves. “I hope they all will be ready and willing to help again in 2021.”
In the meantime, the SPAF board is encouraging participants to send videos of their performances recorded at home to strathmorepaf@gmail.com so they can be posted on the SPAF Facebook page.
Steeves noted this experience has been a huge life lesson for the SPAF participants. “I always say to my students that the ‘journey’ is the biggest reward to them as an artist. Their growth as a musician and a performer will never be lost.”