Select a region
Summer festival Groove de Lecq will not go ahead this year, as organisers seek a new location for the annual charity danceathon due to the cost and limited size of its coastal home.
The day-long event, which has raised over £175,000 for local charities, has seen music, arts, food, theatre, eco-initiatives and even wrestling unite at heritage spot Moulin de Lecq since 2012.
But the ‘Groove Collective’ announced this morning that the festival was officially “on the move” and will be “taking a hiatus in 2018”.
Festival founder Beth Gallichan told Express that the decision came because the Greve de Lecq zone was "expensive and doesn't allow us to scale up our model anymore."
Instead, the team say they’ll be organising an alternative creative music and arts event on the first Saturday of August this year – Groove’s usual weekend spot.
Video: Groove de Lecq in full swing in 2016. (Luminary Films Jersey/YouTube)
“We fully expect Groove to return, though with such a huge commitment required we want to take some time to consider how we can continue to grow in the future. We are looking for potential future venues for ‘’Groove’ in whatever shape it might take and welcome further support, sponsorship and investment that fits with our ethos and values,” Ms Gallichan explained.
The self-dubbed “happy little mecca of local musical talent” last year saw 3,000 islanders enjoy 70 local acts performing a kaleidoscope of genres from reggae to rock across seven stages – including a secret one embedded in the woodland.
Attendees were also invited to engage in a variety of activities and “creative wonderlands” put on by local volunteers, including eco-workshops in line with the festival’s aim to champion rubbish reduction and looking after the environment.
Pictured: The feelgood festival brought 3,000 islanders down to Moulin de Lecq for a boogie last year.
Ms Gallichan extended her thanks to those who had made it possible: “We are hugely grateful to all those who have contributed to the success of Groove de Lecq in its home at Greve de Lecq. We have enjoyed transforming the site and championing the many local artists and charitable causes alongside reducing waste and endorsing green initiatives.”
Of course, the ultimate question remains: if Groove has lost its ‘Lecq’, what next? Partyrondel? Bouley Bop? Hop at Le Hocq? Boogie Ouen-derland?
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.