Toronto's JFL42 has become the latest in the seemingly endless wave of festival interruptions. The organizers have announced that the festival, which was set to run from September 24 to October 3, will no longer take place in-person.
The 9th edition of the comedy fest may not be taking place in the flesh, but an announcement suggests that there will be some sort of an online edition. Those exact plans have not yet been confirmed, however.
A statement from organizers reads as follows:
Due to the many impacts and unpredictable nature of COVID-19, and the amount of planning that goes into organizing this festival in advance, the current situation and conditions leave us no alternative as we are increasingly getting closer to the planned dates. We had hoped for a different outcome and are so disappointed that we are all subject to this extraordinary context. While we are not moving forward with the festival in its current format, we believe that 2020 demands a new plan for us to continue to entertain and bring laughter during these unprecedented times. We are currently working on these new plans and will have an exciting announcement to share in the coming weeks.
JFL42 has already announced its 2021 dates, which will run from September 23 to October 3 next year. Trevor Noah's headlining show, which had been scheduled for October 3 will now take place on October 2, 2021. Tickets for Noah's 2020 show will be valid for the 2021 show, or refunds will be available starting August 7.
Organizers add: "For now, the health and safety of our audiences, artists, partners, and staff is our primary driver in this situation. We will be back in a big way in 2021 with exciting plans to expand the festival for the people of Toronto, and for the comedy fans and industry who travel to join us every September."
The 9th edition of the comedy fest may not be taking place in the flesh, but an announcement suggests that there will be some sort of an online edition. Those exact plans have not yet been confirmed, however.
A statement from organizers reads as follows:
Due to the many impacts and unpredictable nature of COVID-19, and the amount of planning that goes into organizing this festival in advance, the current situation and conditions leave us no alternative as we are increasingly getting closer to the planned dates. We had hoped for a different outcome and are so disappointed that we are all subject to this extraordinary context. While we are not moving forward with the festival in its current format, we believe that 2020 demands a new plan for us to continue to entertain and bring laughter during these unprecedented times. We are currently working on these new plans and will have an exciting announcement to share in the coming weeks.
JFL42 has already announced its 2021 dates, which will run from September 23 to October 3 next year. Trevor Noah's headlining show, which had been scheduled for October 3 will now take place on October 2, 2021. Tickets for Noah's 2020 show will be valid for the 2021 show, or refunds will be available starting August 7.
Organizers add: "For now, the health and safety of our audiences, artists, partners, and staff is our primary driver in this situation. We will be back in a big way in 2021 with exciting plans to expand the festival for the people of Toronto, and for the comedy fans and industry who travel to join us every September."