COVID-19 clouds the arts scene
Most arts companies run on a tight budget these days, especially in the ultraexpensive Bay Area, and the last thing they need is for people to have one less reason to go to a concert, play, exhibit or recital. Then again, most people I know in the Bay Area live on a tight budget these days, and the last thing anyone needs is to spend good money on a show and not enjoy it because you’re worried it will make you sick. That’s the landscape that both providers and consumers of the arts find themselves in, as fears over the COVID-19 virus inflict pain and confusion on the arts world. The virus has sickened more than 100,000 people and killed more than 3,800 worldwide; there are scores of cases and at least one death in the greater Bay Area. Dozens of concerts, recitals and public events have been canceled over COVID-19 fears, and chances are that more will soon follow suit. But the Bay Area’s response has been inconsistent. While the San Francisco Symphony and San Francisco Ballet have canceled performances through March 20, there are venues not far away where you can enjoy live jazz, rock concerts and two of the biggest shows on the planet, “Hamilton” and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” The landscape is changing so fast, we can’t guarantee that some of the shows we’re writing about this week won’t be canceled before this entertainment guide reaches your hands. My best advice is to stay informed: Go to www.mercurynews/com and check our coronavirus page, where we run frequently updated stories on cancellations and other matters. And — I can’t emphasize this enough — don’t go to any event without first checking the venue website. Many sites already have very helpful notices about what they are doing in response to the coronavirus and why. The odds of contracting the coronavirus from attending any Bay Area event or show are extremely small. Arts groups need our support as much as we need their ability to enrich and illuminate our world. The best response to COVID-19 is to stay informed and make smart decisions you can be comfortable with.