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Rotary performing arts festival cancelled

Rotary Fest of Performing Arts
Airdrie Rotary Festival of Performing Arts cancelled in response to COVID-19 pandemic. File Photo/Airdrie City View

As a result of the provincial government closing all schools in Alberta, the board of governors of the Airdrie Rotary Festival of Performing Arts (ARFPA) has cancelled the 2020 festival.

"Although the festival will not start tomorrow, it is far from finished," read a statement from ARFPA vice president Robert Rodgers. "The love and celebration of music and the arts is not dependent on any one festival or any single performance. Our students have put in hours of work to be ready for this week, to prepare to mount the stage and embrace both the fear and the jubilation of performing. Though the stage will need to wait for another time, those hours are not less meaningful, the lessons no less challenging, and the music not less beautiful for being played at home. We know that you all will keep the passion for music and the arts alive in your hearts and homes. We will see you all again; the stage is not going anywhere."

The festival allows amateur music and speech performers and students to participate and perform in a non-competitive environment.

“The goal of this is to help lead them to further personal growth and excellence, so we hire adjudicators who are professionals in specific disciplines to workshop with them and give them feedback in a positive way,” Jennifer Harbour, festival co-ordinator, previously told the Airdrie City View. “The non-competitive environment allows adjudicators to focus on learning and teaching.”

While performers are not evaluated, Harbour said adjudicators make note of any standout performances. These students, she said, are then recommended for local or provincial scholarships, and could go on to compete at a higher level.


Airdrie Today Staff

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