4 | JANUARY 14 - 20, 2022 | WORCESTERMAGAZINE.COM
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COVID surge leads to more canceled shows Richard Duckett Worcester Magazine USA TODAY NETWORK
On Jan. 4, Eric Jacobsen, conductor and co-artistic director of The Knights orchestral ensemble, was looking forward to a January tour with acclaimed guest jazz pianist Aaron Diehl that would bring them to Mechanics Hall on Jan. 14 for a concert presented by Music Worcester. “As far as I know, it’s going to happen. I’m really hoping,” Jacobsen said during a telephone interview that day about the Worcester concert. A shadow over the conversation was the geometric rise of cases of COVID-19 caused by the Omicron variant, leading to concerts getting postponed again nationally and locally. Even the Grammy Awards, scheduled for Jan. 31, have been postponed for a second year. However, Jacobsen wanted to keep going with the good feelings and connections he’d been experiencing since returning to the concert stage this past summer. “These concerts should happen, and we’re looking forward to it,” he said. Music Worcester said it would also be adding a live stream option for Jan. 14 with the approval of The Knights. Two days later on Jan. 6 The Knights canceled the concert — understandably not wanting to take on the tour due to the current rise in COVID cases. Music Worcester said it hopes to reschedule. Meanwhile, Jan. 6 also brought the news that the Jan. 16 date for the national touring percussion show “STOMP” at The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing
Pianist Aaron Diehl. MARIA JARZYNA
Amy Lee of Evanescence, left, and Lzzy Hale of Halestorm. MARK HUMPHREY/AP
Arts was being postponed due to a breakthrough COVID case within the touring company. That performance will be rescheduled at a date to be announced, The Hanover Theatre said. Such has been the recent daily drama for concerts, shows and events.
On Nov. 30, the United States designated Omicron as a Variant of Concern. On Dec. 1 the fi rst confi rmed U.S. case of Omicron was identifi ed. On Dec. 8 Amy Lee and Lzzy Hale were excitedly talking on the phone about the upcoming Dec. 18 date at the DCU Center for their respective hard rock
heavy metal bands Evanescence and Halestorm. All had seemed well. Then fi ve days later on Dec. 13 it was announced that due to multiple COVID-19 cases within the touring party, the DCU Center show has been postponed to Jan. 20. Lee said in an announcement: “We’ve done everything we could to try and make it
work but with multiple positive COVID tests in our touring party it just wouldn’t be right to continue the show schedule as is. All the bands and crew have been so diligent with every precaution to keep this from happening but this virus is a real bitch! We are all vaccinated and nobody’s symptoms are severe, See SHOWS, Page 5
