Believer Festival in Las Vegas canceled amid coronavirus concerns

This year’s edition of the Believer Festival has been canceled.

The festival, produced by the Black Mountain Institute at UNLV, was scheduled to run April 29 to May 2.

“When it’s safe, we promise to return with live experiences, custom-made for our community,” the festival noted in a release and a note on its web page (believerfestival.org). “And you’ll hear from us shortly about our plans to stay connected and to foster artful exchange in this time of pandemic.

“Though we may have to isolate for our health, we know as keenly as ever how intricately we are connected. Deepening those connections, pursuing them as we can — that’s health, too.”

Sara Ortiz, festival director, said the sprawling nature of the festival — which takes place at venues ranging from Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area to sites in downtown Las Vegas — made it impractical to reschedule the event.

Cancellation of The Believer Festival follows cancellation this week of a cascading list of major league sporting events, gatherings and conventions. Ortiz said festival producers have been following those cancellations, as well as the advice of health experts, in deciding to spike the event.

“Public health and safety were, at the end of the day, what mattered most,” she said.