Festival postponed at last minute due to Omicron cases

The Coastal Twist festival board has made a last-minute decision to postpone the festival planned for next week until later in the year.

It has been rescheduled for September 27 to October 3.

"A record number of cases surrounding us and close contact isolation and result times presenting too great a risk for the festival to take place amongst the chaos," said creative director Ms Glitta Supernova.

"We are sincerely and deeply saddened during this unprecedented uncertainty.

"This decision is not just a necessary and right step, it is the only step.

"Covid and how to handle it remains an ongoing challenge, given the evolving nature of the current Omicron outbreak.

"It's not just lip service when we say the safety of our artists, audiences, volunteers, crews and partners particularly our higher risk groups is and always will be our number one priority.

"Navigating through these tricky times as an arts and culture organisation is the biggest professional challenge of my lifetime, definitely not for the faint of heart," she said.

"The Twist team has worked tirelessly over the past twelve months to reduce risk, put in place multiple plans and prepare for the worst.

"But this time round there was simply no way forward.

"There is a very real sadness of seeing a year's work snuffed out just two weeks from delivery and with thousands of hours of work undone.

"We had been so very excited by the elevated and expanded January Festival program.

"We are sorry there is no way to push through for January."

Current ticket holders are expected to receive an email detailing their options, which include keeping their tickets for the new dates (nothing more to do), cancelling (and getting a full refund) or allocating a credit for "any activation we hold over the next 12 months".

SOURCE:

Media release, 3 Jan 2022

Glitta Supernova, Coastal Twist