Rain check for 2020 Madeleine Festival of the Arts & Humanities

Friday, Apr. 24, 2020

SALT LAKE CITY — The 2020 Madeleine Festival of the Arts & Humanities this year has been put on hold until further notice, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, said Patricia Wesson, the Cathedral of the Madeleine’s director of development.

“We are thinking of having it sometime during the fall,” she said.

The Madeleine Festival of the Arts & Humanities was founded in 1988 by Monsignor M. Francis Mannion, who was then the rector of the cathedral. This year’s lineup was to have featured The American Festival Chorus & Orchestra, Dee Dee Darby Duffin with pianist and quartet, Paisley Rekdal & Airfare, Sudha Kargi with East Indian Dance and the First Tongan Christian Church Choir, and the Choir of the Cathedral of the Madeleine. 

 “We are exploring the possibility of at least have some virtual events [for the time being],” said Wesson, who has been in touch with all the performers.

The Cathedral of the Madeleine remains open to all during the day for private prayer.

“We are just asking people to remain at least six feet apart,” said Wesson, adding that that requirement has been respected.

Wesson wants people to know that despite how the cathedral is operating these days, “we are here for them, we want people to feel comforted and accompanied through these times.”