News

Running list of cancellations, postponements (free content)

By Lightning Reports, Published: March 13, 2020

Most entertainment venues announced cancellations of live performances Thursday and Friday as concerns mounted over the potential spread of the coronavirus.

Organizers of concerts and other performing arts cited guidance to limit large gatherings from the federal Centers for Disease Control, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization. The state DHHS recommended that organizers of events that draw more than 100 people should cancel, postpone, modify the events or offer online streaming as an option. "These events include large gatherings where people are in close contact (less than 6 feet) — for example concerts, conferences, sporting events, faith-based events and other large gatherings," the advisory said.

While there is no immediate plan to close schools, Henderson County public school system leaders said they were currently reviewing options for remote learning.

"Should the closure of one or more schools become necessary, we will be prepared to launch the Henderson County Public Schools Learn from Home model," administrators said. "We will inform families about any additional steps HCPS is taking through alert calls, as well as the communication platforms we have already been using to proactively share information – including staff email, letters to families, website posts, social media, and traditional media advisories."

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association suspended all high school athletics statewide effective Friday at midnight until Monday, April 6. County schools will follow these same protocols for middle school athletics. As of Monday, March 16, all non-school hour facility use and extracurricular activities are suspended until further notice. This includes all facility use by outside groups or scheduled events on school campuses. Also, effective Monday, all field trips and professional staff development that would take a student or staff member out of their building is suspended until further notice.

Here is a roundup of cancellations or changes:

• The Flat Rock Playhouse announced that it was suspending its season for four weeks after Charlotte's Web closes on Sunday, March 22. The theater said it is taking precautions with intensified disinfecting of public spaces and making hand sanitizer widely available. Hand sanitizer will be available for all patrons at the box office and the entrance of the theatre, and high-touch areas (door handles, railings, etc.) are being disinfected before and after each performance. "In addition, we are monitoring the situation daily and will continue to take the recommended steps laid out by the Centers for Disease Control," the Playhouse said. "We also encourage our patrons to use simple, everyday actions that protect us all from respiratory viruses, including frequent handwashing and properly covering every cough or sneeze."

• The Biltmore Estate announced that it is modifying operations from March 17-31. Because of Gov. Roy Cooper's recommendation to avoid gatherings of more than 100 people, the estate has closed tours of Biltmore House, retail stores and restaurants in the immediate Biltmore House complex, Downton Abbey: The Exhibition, located at Amherst, estate trolleys, with the exception of ADA assistance shuttles and Deerpark Restaurant. Remaining open are Biltmore gardens and grounds (guests will be permitted to drive personal vehicles through the gardens March 17-31,The Inn on Biltmore Estate, Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate, Antler Hill Village, including shops and restaurants, Biltmore Winery and most outdoor activities.The company will pay impacted employees who were scheduled to work during the impacted time.

• The Hendersonville Symphony announced it was cancelling all concerts and public activities until further notice, including Saturday's Hot Club of Cowtown concert and the March 28 performance by the Symphony. The Symphony is offering several options regarding ticket purchases to these concerts: Consider making a ticket purchase as a tax-deductible donation, request an exchange of your ticket purchase (up to the face value of the purchase price) for a future concert in our 2020-2021 season that will be announced next month; refund your ticket purchase (excluding tax and processing fee) to the credit card you used to purchase your tickets or by check. Send an email to info@hendersonvillesymphony.org with your request and choice of above.

• Interfaith Assistance Ministry implemented a new policy to interview clients by phone instead of in person, place food orders outside for pickup and excuse volunteers who do not feel comfortable in the group environment. IAM is also rescheduling its Volunteer Appreciation Dinner and Spring Volunteer Training. “Because this is an evolving situation, it may become necessary to implement additional measures,” IAM Executive Director Elizabeth Moss said in an email to volunteers. “IAM staff are all prepared to help more with services as we continue to provide crisis services in this uncharted territory.”

• The Emergency Preparedness Team for Four Seasons hospice is meeting daily to plan for and respond to the effects on patients, families, volunteers and staff.  Following the guidance of both Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as well as Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Four Seasons office locations and the Elizabeth House inpatient unit will be screened by asking the following questions: Has the visitor traveled internationally within the last 14 days? Is the visitor currently experiencing symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as a fever, cough, and sore throat? In the last 14 days, has the visitor had contact with someone with or under investigation for COVID-19, or who is ill with respiratory illness? Does the visitor reside in a community where community-based spread of COVID-19 is occurring? Those with signs of illness will be asked not to visit.
• The Formation public relations and marketing firm said its team is moving to teleworking for the foreseeable future, until such a time as we have reasonable assurances for the health and safety of our team and community. "We are fortunate we have the luxury to do this, as we recognize there are many industries, our clients included, who are unable to embrace this social distancing approach," the firm said in a news release. "We do not anticipate any disruption to our workflow or client outcomes, and will remain available via email and phone."
• The Kiwanis Club called off meetings through April 2.
• AdventHealth Hendersonville said it is suspending elective surgeries and procedures beginning Monday but will continue emergency surgical care. “Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, we have been working very closely with our Medical Staff Leadership to track the impact on our region. We determined now is the time to take this action because of the increase in confirmed and presumed positive cases here in North Carolina,” said Jimm Bunch, AdventHealth Hendersonville President and CEO.
• The Henderson County Tourism Development Authority canceled the "Say I Do” Hendersonville Bridal Show, which had been scheduled for March 21 at BRCC. “Governor Cooper has recommended all gatherings of 100 people or more be curtailed due to the growing number of coronavirus cases nationally and here in North Carolina,” said Beth Carden, executive director of the Henderson County TDA. “We agree that exercising caution is the prudent thing to do right now.” All vendors who signed up for the show will be refunded their full registration fees.
• The North Carolina Stage Company suspended performances of the play Well, originally scheduled to run through April 12. 
• The Hendersonville Swing Band concert scheduled for Saturday, April 4, is cancelled.

• The Attic Salt Theatre Company in Asheville announced it is postponing its production of boom. "We hope that, when we get it back on its feet, you’ll give it the same kind attention as you have thus far," Artistic Director Jeff Catanese said.

• Blue Ridge Humane Society has rescheduled its Cause for Paws Luncheon from Tuesday, March 24, to Friday, Nov. 6, at Champion Hills. Ticket holders who have already purchased tickets may use their ticket for the Nov. 6 event or donate the ticket value to the Blue Ridge Humane Society for the care of animals in the Adoption Center or request a refund by contacting Laresa Griffin at lgriffin@blueridgehumane.org or (828) 692-2639 ext 304. If a refund is requested the process may take 1-2 weeks due to the current situation. Ticket sales will still be open for the November date and updated details regarding the luncheon will be released in the near future.

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  Blue Ridge Symphonic Brass cancelled a concert that was scheduled for March 22 at Trinity Presbyterian Church. The band also has a concert scheduled for May 3 at Cathedral of All Souls Episcopal Church in South Asheville. "We will continue to monitor developments in regard to virus warnings and will make decisions about the May concert in the coming weeks," the organization said. 

• Center for Cultural Preservation director David Weintraub announced that  the upcoming Appalachian Storytelling Extravaganza will be live-streamed at 7 p.m. March 19 rather than performed in front of an audience. "Through live streaming, ticketed audience members will have access to the event live or you may access the program over the course of the three days following the program," he said. "You will be able to access this event through your computer, smart TV, smart phone or any other device or connect with a friend or neighbor and watch it together!" Order tickets here.
• The League of Women Voters announced it was calling off its Sunshine Week event and a Census 2020 information session March 19 and March 25.

• N.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Cheri Beasley directed local courts to postpone most cases in district and superior court for at least 30 days. The order makes exceptions to preserve the right to due process of law (e.g., a first appearance or bond hearing, the appointment of counsel for an indigent defendant, a probation hearing, a probable cause hearing, etc.); proceedings for the purpose of obtaining emergency relief (e.g., a domestic violence protection order, temporary restraining order, juvenile custody order, judicial consent to juvenile medical treatment order, civil commitment order, etc.); or when the senior resident superior court judge, chief business court judge, or chief district court judge determines that the proceeding can be conducted under conditions that protect the health and safety of all participants. The emergency directive does not apply to any proceeding in which a jury has already been empaneled or to any grand juries already empaneled.

This is a quickly evolving story. Check back for updates on cancellations or postponements and other coronavirus news. Coronavirus coverage is unlocked from the Lightning's paywall so all can access them.