Pandemic takes out Rock the Garden, cuts Guthrie’s season short
Updated: 9:43 a.m. | Posted 9 a.m.
The cultural disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic continue to extend their reach into the summer months.
The Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis announced Thursday that it was canceling the rest of its 2019-20 season. The announcement spelled curtains for “Emma,” “Cabaret,” “Destiny of Desire” and “Sweat.”
The theater said it expected to open its 2020-21 season in mid-September with a production of Noël Coward’s “Private Lives.”
It said patrons with tickets for the canceled productions could request a refund, donate the value of the tickets to the theater or apply it to future ticket purchases.
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The summer arts scene took another hit Friday morning when organizers announced that the annual Rock the Garden concert would be canceled for the year.
The outdoor concert at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden had been scheduled for June 20.
The concert, sponsored by the Walker Art Center and MPR, was to have featured Tegan and Sara, Brittany Howard, Poliça, Joseph, Jay Som, Altın Gün, Dua Saleh and Gully Boys.
Organizers said that, given the uncertainties surrounding the pandemic, it was necessary to cancel the concert outright rather than postponing it. They said that Rock the Garden would return in 2021, and that Etix would contact ticketholders about a refund for this year’s event.
Also Friday, organizers said the 2020 Twin Cities Pride Festival has been postponed. They are monitoring federal and state recommendations to determine when best to celebrate in the future.