April 16th, 2020

Dear Festival Friends, 

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the cancellation of the 2020 Dawson City Music Festival, for the first time in its 42-year history, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The decision to cancel is difficult but necessary and comes after significant consideration. 

It is tough to imagine a summer without our beloved Festival-goers gracing Minto Park and lining up at the gorgeous Palace Grand Theatre, but the health and wellbeing of patrons, performers, volunteers, staff, and our community is our top priority. We know 2020 would have been a year to remember – Begonia, Cartel Madras, and Zaki Ibrahim are just a few artists who were looking forward to heading north.

Due to our unique northern location, many critical logistics must come together now, and several of our production needs come with strict timelines. Currently, gatherings are limited to 10 people, and folks arriving in Yukon must self-isolate for 14 days. Yukon’s Chief Medical Officer of Health has strongly recommended against non-essential travel to or from rural communities such as Dawson City, and we respect these essential measures. There is no clear timeline regarding when these restrictions will be lifted, and at this time it is not possible to gather under the midnight sun as we have done for 41 years.

COVID-19 has created an unprecedented and devastating situation for musicians, technicians, arts organizations, and many other industry professionals – DCMF included. Despite this, it has been heartening to witness firsthand how the healing power of music has helped people far and wide throughout this crisis. We encourage you to support the music industry however you can, whether that is volunteering or attending future events, purchasing merch or music online, or following your favourite performers and organizations on social media.

Our small-but-mighty organization will persevere. Your support is critical – it will be challenging in many ways, but we remain confident that the unwavering support of our community and Festival-lovers will help us get through it. To our fellow business owners, tour operators, and frontline service workers in Dawson City, we sympathetically understand the economic impact that will be felt as a result of this decision.  We wish it weren’t so.

On a more positive note, we extend sincere gratitude to our volunteers and Committee Heads. You are the lifeblood of the Festival, and many of you are seasoned veterans. We look forward to bringing everyone together again when it is safe to do so. To our funders, sponsors, and partners: thank you for your support, generosity, and understanding as we navigate this unprecedented time – we are unconditionally grateful. To performers near and far, our hearts are with you, and we’re in this together.

When it is safe to gather again, how sweet it will be to savour the moment with you. We can’t wait to be reunited and dance the nights away in Dawson City under the midnight sun once more. We look forward to seeing you again. 

All our love,

The Dawson City Music Festival Association

We can be reached at:
info@dcmf.com
for questions, comments, and general inquiries.

Press Release from the Association – 16/04/2020