COVID surge canceling Connecticut shows and arts events

Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant
·3 min read

The surge in COVID cases due to the omicron variant is leading to postponements and cancellations of arts events around Connecticut.

Among the recent casualties:

  • The annual Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival at Hartford’s Asylum Hill Congregational Church was originally planned as a live event on Jan. 8. Then it was revised to a livestreamed event with a small live audience. Then it was canceled altogether.

  • Connecticut Lyric Opera had three performances planned for the “Die Fledermaus,” at three locations around the state. The operetta by Johann Strauss II, which revolves around a New Year’s party, was slated for Dec. 26 at Trinity-on-Main in New London and Dec. 30 at The Bushnell; those shows were canceled when a cast member contracted COVID. The third show, Jan. 7 at the Garde Arts Center, was canceled a few days later. “We have no choice but to postpone these performances and hope that the omicron wave subsides in the next few weeks, permitting us to continue the production in the nearest future,” says the opera company’s website.

  • Brief Cameo Productions has canceled its impending production of the musical “The Last Five Years,” scheduled for Jan. 8 and 9 at the Ivoryton Playhouse in Essex. In a statement, the company said “With the state’s [COVID] numbers where they are, we couldn’t in good conscience consider producing, nor would our venue be allowed to host us.”

  • At Hartford’s Infinity Hall, two shows by the band Turkuaz on Dec. 30 and 31 were canceled weeks ago because of what the band attributed to “unforeseen cancelations, health & safety risks, & logistical travel concerns.” A new Dec. 31 show was arranged with the accomplished local party bands West End Blend and Nikita, but has also now been canceled.

  • A New Year’s Champagne Brunch on Jan. 1 at Foxwoods’ Premier Theater with DJ D-Nice has been postponed to “spring/summer 2022,” nowhere near the new year, according to the casino’s website.

  • Some shows scheduled for early in 2022 were postponed some time ago. Back in October, The Weeknd canceled his planned fall/winter tour (including a January stop at Mohegan Sun Arena) “due to constraints of arenas and the demand for more shows,” adding that “I want to do something bigger and special for you which requires stadiums.”

This is just a sampling of shows that have been affected by the new COVID surge. Venues are not yet shutting down (or being asked to), but numerous events are being postponed or canceled, whether because of illness among performers or “out of an abundance of caution,” which has become a popular phrase with performance venues.

Ticketholders should check websites to make sure an event is still happening. It is also wise to check a venue’s COVID policies before attending. Many theaters and concert venues in the state require proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a recent negative test, and insist that masks be worn indoors at all times, including during a performance.

Christopher Arnott can be reached at carnott@courant.com.