As New Orleans’ festival season kicks into high gear, so do event cancellations and emergency city ordinances due to the ongoing threat of coronavirus and COVID-19.
Just days after this weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day, St. Joseph’s Day and Super Sunday events (among others) were to have taken place, news has broken that more large-scale events will not take place as scheduled. As reported by NOLA.com, the city is up to 104 presumptive cases of COVID-19 as of March 16, 2020.
OffBeat has already reported on the cancellation or postponement of Bean Madness and Red Bull’s Dance Your Style. Added to that list now are the New Orleans Bourbon Festival (postponed), New Orleans Wine & Food Experience (postponed), Hogs for the Cause (canceled) and more. French Quarter Festival and BUKU Music + Art Project have been postponed until October and Labor Day weekend, respectively.
Notably, the City of New Orleans announced over the weekend new guidelines for bars, restaurants, hotels and nightclubs, effective immediately.
More updates continue below:
New Orleans art museums, including the New Orleans Museum of Modern Art, the Contemporary Arts Center and the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, announced joint closures. “We are motivated to act together in accordance with instructions from our state and local government regarding one of the most effective measures for preventing the spread of the virus, which is social distancing,” they said in a statement released March 15.
The Youth Leadership Council on March 15 announced the cancellation of its entire Spring season of Wednesdays at the Square. “This decision does not come lightly, as it serves as YLC’s largest fundraiser and provides support for our nine community-service projects,” said organizers.
Originally scheduled for April 18 and 19, the Baton Rouge Blues Festival has been postponed.
OffBeat.com will continue to update this report as upcoming events Jazz Fest remain up in the air.
Original post follows:
The New Orleans Jazz Museum has announced the postponement of its free concert series.
Our free concerts in partnership with the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park have been postponed, and will be rescheduled at a later date out of an abundance of caution. We apologize for any inconvenience.
— New Orleans Jazz Museum (@nolajazzmuseum) March 12, 2020
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has announced its free concert series, Chanteuse: Celebrating Women in New Orleans Music, has been postponed until June.
After much discussion and out of an abundance of caution and respect for our community and our city, we are postponing the Chanteuse concerts originally scheduled for March 12, 13, and 14. These concerts have been tentatively rescheduled for June 2020. https://t.co/cCn4ibEQDi
— The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation (@Jazznheritage) March 12, 2020
Top Taco, originally scheduled for March 19, 2020, announced its postponement.
After much discussion and out of an abundance of caution and respect for our community and our city, we are postponing the Chanteuse concerts originally scheduled for March 12, 13, and 14. These concerts have been tentatively rescheduled for June 2020. https://t.co/cCn4ibEQDi
— The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation (@Jazznheritage) March 12, 2020
The BUKU Music + Art Project has been postponed from March 20 and 21 to Labor Day weekend.
The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra has postponed and/or canceled many of its upcoming performances.
Freret Street Festival is postponed
Winter Circle Productions announced the Hi-Ho Lounge, Republic NOLA and Joy Theater will be closed until April 13, per the Governor’s decision to prohibit gatherings of 250+ people.
We are sorry to announce that, due to COVID-19 related capacity limitations on gatherings, some of our venues will be closed until further notice. More info at https://t.co/hGfxt2oP0e pic.twitter.com/C7TYbLOEg1
— Winter Circle Productions (@TheWinterCircle) March 13, 2020
