observations 6/18

New York City Ballet announced today that it has cancelled the fall and Nutcracker seasons in the face of COVID-19. Not good news, but expected. More digital programing is in the works. That's good news, and expected.

We can do this, People. It is but six months until January. Look, few people have money to spend on ballet tickets now anyway. New York City has lost 851,000 private sector jobs since last year. Job loss was on the rise even before COVID-19 hit. Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers are on unemployment, can't pay rent, are food insecure -- going to the ballet doesn't make their list of needs. Also, we don't need tourists coming to Lincoln Center from any of those states that are not being as careful as New York and bringing along new virus.

So let's chill. Take whatever NYCB can provide in the way of digital performances. Stay home and don't get sick. Hang loose and be ready to dash out the door to get in line for the first approved COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. Wear a mask.

Wear a mask.

 

Comments

[Shawn]

Agree entirely Haglund. I also applaud Louisville Ballet for deciding to produce an entirely virtual 20/21 season. Surely they aren't or won't be alone in this regard.

https://www.louisvilleballet.org/backstage/2020/06/a-bright-digital-future/

[Haglund]

This is exciting. It sounds like Louisville's director, Robert Curran, has put his innovative ideas on the fast track. Let's hope we see other companies stretch also.

[JENNIFER A HENNELLY]

....very wise words
....and I want your mask 😊

[Beth CP]

….Aaaand...there goes ABT's Fall season at the Koch.....I feel like I'm watching dominoes falling, one after the other.....

[Haglund]

Kind of expected it.

Something tells me that with all the performing artists and stage personnel throughout the country on furlough this fall, we're going to see a much bigger turnout of individuals who want to campaign (perhaps artistically) during the run-up to the election. That won't be a bad thing.

[Jeannette]

To see a live Nutcracker in Dec 2020, where in the USA should we go? I heard that Huntington, West Virginia’s YMCA has reopened its indoor and outdoor pools, and that all restaurants are swinging. Movie theatres too. Not sure if they have a professional ballet company...or if they (or other Middle-America smallish cities) want us “city slickers” popping in for a weekend.

[Haglund]

PA Ballet has not yet cancelled its Nutcracker or fall seasons. So there's a possibility. Speaking of PA Ballet, they're starting a digital season tonight at 6:30pm. I'll push this to the top in a few minutes.

For myself, I won't be venturing into a theater or a restaurant or a department store until I get a vaccine. The risk is too real and the possible consequences are too unforgiving.

[Solor]

I agree. Given the horrendous way in which this pandemic has been addressed, by both the federal government and so many state governments, plus the devil-may-care attitude of so many people who have been rushing back to bars and beaches without any regard to their personal safety of that of others, I have no confidence that it will be significantly safer to congregate in public in December than today. Seeing a live Nutcracker is really not a priority for me.