COVID-19 Surge Cancels, Postpones Sarasota Art Events

SARASOTA, FL — As COVID-19 continues to surge across Florida and the United States, the virus is disrupting Sarasota's vibrant arts scene.

A number of arts organizations, community groups and venues have announced the cancelation or rescheduling of events and performances because of the rise in COVID-19 cases and exposures among performers, crew members and staff.

Here are some of the arts organizations recently impacted by COVID-19:

Sarasota Concert Association

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra canceled its Florida tour in January, meaning the first concert of the Sarasota Concert Association’s 2022 Great Performers Series has been canceled.

The orchestra was scheduled to perform as part of the series Jan. 20, Sarasota Concert Association said in a news release.

“We understand the challenges of keeping everyone safe and healthy while travelling on a concert tour during this time,” Sarasota Concert Association Executive Director Linda Moxley said. “Though we are disappointed to lose the first concert of our 2022 Great Performers Series, which was to feature the wonderful Detroit Symphony, we look forward to bringing the orchestra back to Sarasota in a future season.”

The 2022 Great Performers Series will now open Feb. 1 featuring pianist Emanuel Ax in an all-Chopin recital at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

Subscribers and single ticket buyers who have tickets for the canceled Jan. 20 concert have been emailed about their options to donate their tickets or receive a refund.

Related Story: 80 Percent Of Floridians Could Be Infected In COVID Surge: Report

Florida Studio Theatre

In a Jan. 3 email sent to subscribers, Florida Studio Theatre announced the cancellation of its 2022 Stage III Series.

All 2022 subscriptions for State III will automatically roll over to the 2023 series, FST said. Those who want to make different arrangements should call the theater’s subscription hotline at 941-552-1521.

In the email, Richard Hopkins, producing artistic director, called it a “difficult conclusion” to make.

“The rapid rise of the new omicron variant prompts this decision. We must protect the health of our staff, artists, interns, volunteers, and audiences,” he wrote. “Currently, adding Stage III to the already intense lineup of shows risks compromising the needed safety protocols to deal with this new variant. Therefore, we must do what is best for us all and we must cancel the 2022 Stage III Series.”

The three-show series “is dedicated to presenting plays that are challenging in content and unique in form,” according to FST’s website.

The series was set to kick off with “Babel” by Jacqueline Goldfinger running from Jan. 26 to Feb. 18. After that, “The Last Match” by Anna Ziegler was scheduled March 2-25 and “Paralyzed” by Etan Frankel set for April 6-29.

Key Chorale

Sarasota’s symphonic chorus has postponed its Choral Splendor in 40 Parts concerts scheduled for Jan. 14-15 to May 6-7 because of the spread of coronavirus.

The decision was made “out of an abundance of caution and the expressed concerns of Key Chorale’s guest artist, Les Canards Chantants, traveling from the Northeast,” Key Chorale wrote in a newsletter.

“The health and safety of our patrons and performers has been and will remain our primary concern,” the organization said.

The program “will be an amazing finale to our 37th season,” Key Chorale said.

Ticketholders can keep their tickets for the rescheduled performance, exchange it for any other upcoming performance this season, receive a refund or turn their ticket into a donation.

Sarasota Opera

Those Sarasota Opera hasn’t canceled any upcoming performances because of COVID-19, it has made a “location adjustment” because of the current surge.

In a Facebook post Thursday, the first day of rehearsals for the upcoming 2022 Winter Opera Festival, the organization said it moved rehearsals outdoors to its “beautiful courtyard.”

The festival runs from Feb. 12 to March 22 and includes productions of “Tosca,” “The Daughter of the Regiment,” “The Pearl Fishers” and “Attila.”

Sarasota Opera is also hiring a COVID compliance officer whose sole job will be implementing and revising policies and procedures to lessen the chances of performers, staff and audience members getting infected with the virus while at the theater.

Know about an art or community event canceled because of COVID-19? Email Tiffany.Razzano@Patch.com.