As far as the big Charlotte SHOUT! festival goes, we’re all just going to have to … wait for it … actually wait for it. The festival as a whole has been postponed, but some individual events are proceeding as planned.

“We had great plans for Charlotte SHOUT! 2021 that are just going to have to wait a little longer,” said Blumenthal Performing Arts CEO Tom Gabbard. “Count on us to be back when circumstances are right to safely host a great arts festival and community celebration.”

⁣In a joint statement Tuesday, Blumenthal Performing Arts and Charlotte Center City Partners announced that, due to the current conditions surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak, the Charlotte SHOUT! festival originally planned for Sept. 17 to Oct. 3 has been delayed until 2022. A future date has not yet been determined.

The announcement stated that those who have already purchased their tickets would be contacted with details about postponements, cancellations and refunds. In response to questions from the public on social media, the official SHOUT! account has shared:

“We are working with each artist and project to determine which may continue as planned, and which need to be postponed. Beyond evaluating safety, some artists are changing their tour plans. We are grateful for everyone’s patience.”

The Biscuit has been a content partner for Charlotte SHOUT!. For the record, we agree with the decision to postpone an event as large as SHOUT! given the current state of low vaccinations in Mecklenburg County coupled with the current COVID infection rate.

We also sympathize with the individual creatives and local groups preparing to be part of SHOUT! Through our social feeds, website and this weekly newsletter, we will be featuring them and posting updates about the festival as they develop.