The upcoming Music by the Sea festival — which was set to include in-person performances — has been postponed until further notice, based on concerns over the rise in COVID-19 numbers on Vancouver Island.
The event was scheduled to take place indoors at the Victoria International Marina, at the Inner Harbour, from Tuesday to Sunday.
“We don’t want to use the word cancel, but we certainly want to use the word postpone,” said Christopher Donison, the event’s organizer and artistic director.
Donison said the dramatic increase in B.C. COVID-19 cases was a concern, and “has come at the worse time for us.” Six concerts were planned, each for a capacity of 80 people, by jazz and classical artists from around B.C. in an intimate setting.
Given the proximity of the artists to Victoria, Donison feels the festival will be easy to re-mount when it appears safe to do so. Our plan is to re-create exactly what we had planned when there is clear sailing.”
Donison said he will contact ticketholders directly with details when he has more clarity. The future of Music By the Sea is temporarily in doubt, but he will do everything in his power to bring the festival back safely, he said.
“Talk about a rollercoaster. But with the numbers going up this fast, it’s just the wrong timing. I think we would be viewed as irresponsbile. You don’t want to be on the wrong side of this decision.”
mdevlin@timescolonist.com
