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Crowds vanishing from Vancouver Island theatres

Cancellations and postponements the message of the day for large community entertainment venues
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B.C. Junior hockey is cancelled across the province in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Katherine Engqvist/News staff)

It will take some time for COVID-19’s effect on Vancouver Island to be fully known.

But its impact on the performing arts has been sweeping.

This week’s province of British Columbia decision to ban gatherings of more than 250 people has led to widespread cancellations and postponements for most of the Island’s major community entertainment venues.

Here is a sampling, as of Friday afternoon (click the links for the full story):

Campbell River’s Tidemark Theatre suspend schedules

Two major Campbell River entertainment organizations are cancelling or suspending their schedules due to the COVID-19 pandemic…

Courtenay’s Sid Williams Theatre postpones most events, suspends online ticket sales

The Sid Williams Theatre addressed the following announcement in a posting on its website Thursday evening, in response to the government-imposed ban on large gatherings, announced Thursday afternoon…

Nanaimo’s Port Theatre has been closed until further notice.

On March 13 the city-owned and co-managed venue announced on its website that the decision was made in response to the direction and recommendations of the federal government and B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry…

Cowichan Performing Arts Centre postpones all March and April shows

Late Friday afternoon the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre sent out a notice that all of their events for March and April have been postponed…

Precautions being taken, Victoria shows going on so far

While various large-scale events are being postponed around the continent to reduce the spread of COVID-19, local stage theatres in Victoria are upping their cleaning protocols and staying open for business…

For other event cancellations, and more updates on this situation as it unfolds, check the VI Free Daily’s entertainment, sports, and coronavirus pages.



John McKinley

About the Author: John McKinley

I have been a Black Press Media journalist for more than 30 years and today coordinate digital news content across our network.
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