Longitude again cancelled due to coronavirus restrictions Organisers ‘devastated’ but say event will be back in 2022
Mon, May 10, 2021, 20:09
Festival organisers have said they are “absolutely devastated” to announce Longitude will not go ahead this July due to coronavirus restrictions.
This year’s festival was set to take place in Dublin’s Marlay Park on the first weekend of July, with big names Kendrick Lamar; Tyler, The Creator; and A$ap Rocky scheduled to headline.
A statement published on the festival’s website on Monday afternoon said the Government’s recent announcements have made it “clear that we simply will not be able to make Longitude happen this year due to Covid-19 restrictions”.
In early December, following protests outside Leinster House, Minister for Culture Catherine Martin said one-to-one dance instruction would be permitted under Level 3 restrictions but all group dance and exercise classes would remain suspended. One-to-one classes were suspended again, however, in the third wave of the pandemic after Christmas.
Teachers have spoken of their frustration about the investments they have made in perspex and socially-distanced ballet bars and other equipment in dance studios and community halls, in efforts to ensure safe in-person classes, Ms Sherlock said.
âThey are worried because there has been a fall-off in numbers as some children have not been able to access classes via Zoomâ and so are concerned about whether pupils will return in numbers.
Actor Tom Hickey, star of The Riordans, has died President Michael D Higgins leads tributes to ‘an artist of total commitment’
about 6 hours ago Updated: about 4 hours ago
Michael D Higgins and actor Tom Hickey at Liberty Hall, Dublin, November 2005. File photograph: Frank Miller
“It is with great sadness that Sabina and I learned of the death of Tom Hickey, one of the greatest actors of his generation, giving over six decades to his profession. He leaves an indelible imprint on Irish theatre,” said Mr Higgins in a statement on Saturday.
Hickey, one of the founding members of Dublin Focus Theatre, played in a number of ground-breaking productions including Miss Julie, Antigone, Uncle Vanya and The Night of the Iguana. Hickey also made memorable contributions as an actor to productions in the Project Arts Centre in Dublin.
Western Correspondent
Galway s time as European Capital of Culture formally concludes today, marking the end of a difficult and, at times, controversial project.
Beset by planning and funding difficulties in the years leading to the start of the designation, the event was subsequently derailed by the impact of public health restrictions caused by the pandemic.
The onset of Covid-19, just weeks after the official launch in February 2020, meant that most planned events had to be cancelled, with much of the programme reconfigured and presented online.
Minister for Culture Catherine Martin says this was a testament to the creativity and commitment of those involved.
When Might Outdoor Concerts And Events Return?
Listen to this episode
Will we be able to enjoy outdoor concerts, festivals and other live events this summer?
The government is considering a number of pilot events, though specific dates have not yet been provided.
Minister for Tourism and Culture Catherine Martin said last night that the green light had been given for her department to prepare proposals on the holding of a limited number of large events , similar to the recent experimental concert in Barcelona which saw a crowd of 5,000 people all wearing masks.
To discuss this we were joined by Angela Dorgan, chair of the National Campaign for the Arts, and Matt McGranaghan from the Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland, which represents 5,000 musicians, entertainers, road crew and others in the live events industry.