The Memphis-based Blues Foundation has canceled the 2020 Blues Music Awards Show and Blues Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
The events — the two biggest and longest-running celebrations of the blues internationally — were to have taken place May 6-7 at Downtown Memphis’ Halloran Centre and the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. The Blues Foundation confirmed on Thursday that it’s working on a plan to create “virtual events that will celebrate BMA nominees and winners and 2020 Blues Hall of Fame Inductees.”
As part of the announcement, the foundation also said its Blues Hall of Fame Museum — located in Memphis’ South Main district — will be closed immediately to the public until further notice.
ENTERTAINMENT:Memphis-area concerts and events: cancellations and postponements due to coronavirus
In a statement, The Blues Foundation said it had been tracking “the global situation and assessing how to move forward in light of the current coronavirus pandemic.” Following the lead and direction of federal, state and local officials, the decision was made to cancel all of the upcoming Blues Award Week events, which include the Blues Music Awards, Hall of Fame induction, and various other related concerts and programming.
Additionally, The Blues Foundation announced it will be creating a COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund for Blues Musicians.
The foundation is asking those who have already purchased purchases to the 2020 awards ceremonies to convert them to donations to be applied directly to this fund. Ticket purchasers will also be offered the option for a refund of their ticket purchases, or to apply those purchases to next year’s events.
For more information or to donate, go to blues.org.