With an admirable amount of prudence, Lincoln Center is going ahead and pulling the plug on its summer programming.
They sent out this email this afternoon:
Given the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the difficult decision to cancel this summer’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts programming, including Midsummer Night Swing, the Mostly Mozart Festival, and Lincoln Center Out of Doors. These festivals have brought great joy to New Yorkers for decades, in ways only extraordinary, fearless artistry can. It is our intention, when it is safe again to gather in person, to stage a free, pop-up festival in a celebration of our great city and the selfless first responders and healthcare workers who are giving so much during this crisis. Currently, and for the foreseeable future, we’re taking our work online with Lincoln Center at Home, our new portal helping families and communities keep the performing arts front and center. Lincoln Center Pop-Up Classrooms, #ConcertsforKids, and archival & live stream performances from across campus feature the arts from wherever they’re still happening – empty halls, living rooms, and more. We are in awe of the teaching artists, musicians, dancers, educators, and staff who are sharing such impressive creativity during this time.
Clearly a sensible decision, even if it doesn't do much for your morale. With Carnegie Hall already cancelling the rest of its season, we're probably going to be hearing more of these announcements from our cultural institutions, and followed by announcements about the impact the consequent loss of revenue is having. Grim.
In the meantime, though, Lincoln Center is already making good on its promise to give us memorable performances for this, uh, memorable time. Ballet Hispanico's staging of Pedro Ruiz's Club Havana and the Picasso-inspired CARMEN.maquia will be available Fri. April 10 at 5:30 ET.
