Cancellations Abound

I was interviewed at Maison Mineards Montecito by KEYT-TV reporter Anikka Abbott on the impact of the coronavirus on cultural and entertainment events in our Eden by the Beach.

At the time of the taping most social events were still in place with no cancellations, but after California Governor Gavin Newsom banned gatherings of more than 250 people through the end of March, the social diary events toppled like ninepins, with UCSB Arts & Lectures cancelling all events through the end of April, including 85-year-old primate expert Jane Goodall‘s much anticipated lecture at the Arlington, the Santa Barbara Symphony postponing its performance of An American In Paris, the Granada cancelling all scheduled events, the State Street Ballet postponing its debut performance of Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty, CADA’s Motown at the Miramar Amethyst Ball switched to a date in the fall, and both galas for the Junior League at the Coral Casino and the Channel Keepers bash at Deckers being cancelled.

No physical ailments, but devastating for the charity and cultural communities.

The Shows Must Not Go On

NBCUniversal has halted the production of 35 shows, including all of Montecito mega producer Dick Wolf‘s Chicago franchise and Law & Order SVU because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Fortunately the Windy City dramas – Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Med – were at the end of their run and will not be back until next season, according to Deadline.

Law & Order SVU is now on its 21st record breaking season.