With Michigan Covid numbers spiking, the 45th annual Ann Arbor Folk Festival at Hill Auditorium has been canceled.
"Although the Folk Festival is The Ark’s largest annual fundraising event and cancelling means losing a vital source of our annual operating revenue, our main concern at this time is for the health and safety of our patrons, artists, crew, staff, and the broader community," the Ark posts.
"Michigan Medicine has made a request that people refrain from attending large indoor events for the next few weeks in an attempt to reduce the spread of the virus and its impact on the health system."
One of performer had cancelled and sponsors anticipated others to drop out of the Jan. 28-29 event.
The attempt to have an in-person concert this year came after a virtual one last year, with actor Jeff Daniels emceeing. "Unfortunately, artists in this year’s Folk Festival did not agree to allow virtual broadcast of the festival, so we won’t be able to provide a virtual alternative," the Ark states.
People who bought presale tickets by phone got an email with options to donate the purchase price or get a refund. Those who bought tickets online, by phone or in-person through the Michigan Union Ticket Office will get an automatic credit card refund on their credit card.
