24 Mar Funk Parade Cancellation
It is with a great deal of sadness, and out of an abundance of caution, that we are led to cancel Funk Parade 2020. On Friday, March 20th, DC extended its mass gathering restriction through April 27th, due to global health pandemic, COVID-19.
Without a clear picture on whether the social distancing mandates will endure through May 9, the date of Funk Parade, it is difficult for us to continue planning for, and pouring resources into, our annual festival, which may be cancelled due to continuing public health concerns. As you might imagine, we make a number of non-refundable deposits in preparation for Funk Parade, many of which we have already made. Rather than continuing down that path, potentially to our organization’s irreparable detriment, we were forced to make this very difficult decision.
We are, especially, heartbroken for the many artists we were planning to feature in this year’s lineup. We know that it is a difficult time for the arts community and we look forward to working with many of you, at a later date, throughout The MusicianShip’s ecosystem of community offerings, ranging from our youth programs, to Wammie Weekend, to Funk Parade 2021.
We would like to thank each and every person who has supported the DC Funk Parade, as well as the Housing Finance Agency, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, and District Bridges for sticking by Funk Parade and pledging to support a future affair, of some kind, once DC-Region residents are safe to party with us.
One thing we know is that, in the same way COVID-19 has brought the globe to its knees, music will, in due time, bring us back together – in a major way – and we can’t wait! Do us a favor, please. Across the DC region, we are seeing virtual concerts being offered by music artists. If you’re able, please support their work by making a contribution, right now!
