AtwoodFest, one of Madison’s longest-running music festivals, has been canceled, AtwoodFest organizers announced this morning. The annual festival on Madison’s East Side was set to be held on Saturday and Sunday.
The Schenk Atwood Starkweather Yahara Neighborhood Association announced the cancellation in a statement saying, “Our community and our Marquette neighbors witnessed another horrific officer-involved shooting just blocks from our festival grounds, leaving us in deep pain and justified anger.”
A Madison police officer shot and killed 38-year-old Corey Ruiz Wednesday afternoon at the corner of Baldwin and Williamson Streets, sparking protests throughout the city.
“In acknowledgment of what has happened far too often in our community and our country as a whole, this year’s AtwoodFest, themed ‘The Heartbeat of the Neighborhood,’ is canceled,” the statement continued. “AtwoodFest’s core values have always centered on building community, using each festival’s proceeds to support the groups doing important work right here in our neighborhood. Now it is vital to support our neighbors, particularly those who have borne the brunt of this pain and injustice, by taking time to mourn and reflect on our role in these broken systems, so we can create a community that truly lives up to our values.
“The heart of our neighborhood needs healing. We encourage you to spend your time and energy this weekend on supporting events and spaces demanding change, mutual aid, and loving and supporting your friends and neighbors.”
