Arts events in Bradenton area canceled. Blame it on the coronavirus

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As more cases of the coronavirus are confirmed in Florida, some local event organizers are beginning to cancel or postpone large recreational gatherings in an abundance of caution.

The overall risk of being exposed to the virus for the majority of people is still thought to be low, according to the Centers for Disease Control. However, the cancellations are in line with new guidelines from the agency issued on Monday that advise those at higher risk for a severe COVID-19 infection, like seniors, to avoid crowds as much as possible.

The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble was scheduled to give a concert Sunday at Our Lady of Angels Church in Lakewood Ranch, but the event has now been postponed to an undetermined date due to COVID-19.

The postponement was made “in the interest of preventing the spread of this disease within the local community,” a press release said.

The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School announced the cancellation of its annual springtime dance performance that was scheduled for March 29 at the Venice Performing Arts Center.

“The health and safety of the dancers, staff, and patrons of the Sarasota Cuban Ballet School is very important to the school, so it was agreed that postponement of the springtime show was the right decision for the community,” said a press release from the school.

The performance will be rescheduled to a future date, but ticket refunds are also being offered.

Indoor events are of special concern for those at high-risk from the disease.

“Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces,” the CDC advises. “Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded, closed-in settings with little air circulation if there are people in the crowd who are sick.”

The arrival of COVID-19 in the U.S. is sending waves of uncertainty through the entertainment and sports industries.

Sporting leagues are discussing the possibility of playing without fans, large national events like the Ultra Music Festival in Miami and film and music festival South by Southwest in Austin have already been canceled, and producers of several popular Broadway shows announced they are cutting ticket prices to fill seats.

For now, the hosts of large events in the Bradenton area are forging ahead with caution.

Spring training games for Major League Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates are going on as planned at LECOM Park in Bradenton, but the organization is taking precautions like sanitizing the stadium, a spokesman told the Associated Press.

Large entertainment venues like Manatee Performing Arts Center and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall have not announced any show cancellations due to COVID-19.

For those that do go out, the same advice remains in effect: frequent hand washing, avoiding contact with high-touch surfaces in public places and avoiding touching one’s face, nose and eyes.

This story was originally published March 10, 2020 at 4:45 PM.