Mask order no longer at Smith Center
I
Ttook about 24 hours, but The Smith Center has arrived at its ongoing pandemic safety policy. No masks or proof of vaccination will be required at Reynolds Hall or Myron’s.
A Friday afternoon statement from The Smith Center said, “In light of Gov. Steve Sisolak’s lifting of the mask mandate for indoor venues and after carefully reviewing its contractual obligations with performers and touring shows, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts announced today that it will no longer require patrons to wear masks or show proof of vaccination in order to gain entry into Smith Center theaters. However, there may be exceptions if and when touring shows add Covid-safety protocol requirements.”
Smith Center President Myron Martin said, “We are very pleased to follow the governor’s lead. We have waited a long time for this.” In a separate conversation, Martin stressed he and his team had been hard at work since just after Sisolak’s announcement Thursday. Initially, The Smith Center’s policies went unchanged. But a shift was on the horizon. It was just a matter of when.
Martin said the delay was to allow the center to take due diligence with upcoming shows, artists, producers and unions. That means no masks or proof of vaccination are required for Saturday night’s Las Vegas Philharmonic performance of Beethoven’s Symphonies Nos. 4 and 5 at Reynolds Hall, and songwriter-pianist Jim Brickman’s show at Myron’s.
“It has always been our highest priority to ensure comfort and provide the safest environment possible for our artists, employees and patrons,” Martin said. “Before we lifted any restrictions, we needed to consult with our numerous entities to ensure a successful transition.”
The Smith Center’s guest-facing, vaccinated employees will remain masked as they interact with the public before, during and after performances. Backstage COVID protocols, including regular COVID testing, are unchanged.
Martin said that certain touring productions may still request COVID safety protocols, such as asking (rather than requiring) patrons to wear masks during a performance.
“We will honor these individual show requests on a case-by-case basis and will make patrons aware of these unique performances before they attend their show,” Martin said.
“The Band’s Visit” is the first Broadway touring show to play Reynolds Hall since the governor’s directive was announced. That show has requested that patrons “kindly” wear masks for its shows, which run from Tuesday through Feb. 20.
The Smith Center encourages personal choice. The venue supports patrons who choose to wear a mask, even when not required by the state or the venue. As Martin said, “If you’re more comfortable wearing a mask during a show, we support your choice.”
Adele’s promise
Adele regrets the timing of it all, but still promises to play the Colosseum at Caesars Palace this year.
The 33-year-old superstar told BBC talk show host Graham Norton that she made a noble effort to stage the show but fell short.
“I tried my hardest and really thought I would be able to pull something together in time,” Adele said on the BBC One series, as quoted in the U.K. Daily Mail. “I regret that I kept going until that late in the day. It would have been a really half- (expletive) show, and I can’t do that.”
Adele announced Jan. 20 her “Weekends With Adele” dates had been postponed. The 24-show series was to have opened Jan. 21 and run through April 16. Those who bought tickets through Tickemaster have been given the option of a full refund through Feb. 20.
“People will see straight through me up on the stage and know I didn’t want to be doing it,” Adele told Norton. “I’ve never done anything like that in my life, and I’m not going to start now.”
The superstar said she and her team will not announce a new set of dates “until I know everything will definitely be ready.”
Adele said the dates need to be returned to the schedule this year, for personal reasons.
“The sooner I can announce the better, but I just can’t in case we are not ready in time,” she said. “It is absolutely
100 percent happening this year. It has to happen this year because I’ve got plans for next year. Imagine if I have to cancel because I am having a baby!”
Yep. Adele and her boyfriend, sports agent Rich
Paul, plan to have a baby in 2023. Adele ducked questions as to whether she and Paul are engaged. She showed up to the Brit Awards at London’s O2 Arena on Tuesday wearing a diamond band on her left hand.
Exceptions to the lifting of the mask mandate at The Smith Center will be “if and when touring shows add Covid-safety protocol requirements,” President Myron Martin said.
Cool hang alert
A country hang at a favorite haunt, Stoney’s Rockin’ Country at Town Square. Dylan Schneider is headlining Saturday night (doors at 7, show at 10 p.m.). Schneider is a popular songwriter in the country community and has been a support act for Florida Georgia Line, Granger Smith, Mitchell Tenpenny and Chris Lane, among others. He co-wrote Dustin Lynch’s most recent hit, “Momma’s House.” GA tickets for those 21 and over are $10 in advance, $15 on the day of the show. For those 18 and over, it’s $15 in advance, $25 day of. Go to stoneysrockincountry.com for the lowdown on this hoedown.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section.
His “Podkats!” podcast can be found at reviewjournal. com/podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal. com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @Johnnykats1 on Instagram.