EAST LANSING, Mich. — At its meeting on Wednesday, April 15, City of East Lansing staff members and the Summer Solstice Jazz Festival (SSJF) Advisory Board made the decision to cancel the 2020 SSJF due to the COVID-19 crisis. The festival was originally scheduled to take place June 19-20 in downtown East Lansing.
“While it was difficult to come to this decision, we believe it’s in the best interest of public health to cancel the festival,” said Community Events Specialist Justin Drwencke. “In the meantime, we are going to focus our attention on the 2021 festival and are looking forward to next year’s event.”
Staff are currently working to contact all performing artists and will be inviting them to participate in the 2021 SSJF if they are available. Vendors and donors will also be notified of the festival cancellation and any necessary refunds will be provided.
Additionally, the SSJF Advisory Board is exploring the possibility of a virtual festival and is making plans for a ticketed, live jazz event in September 2020. The City will provide an update when more details become available.