COVID-19: Future of Saskatchewan Live Shows in Limbo Following Dierks Bentley Concert Cancellation | The Canadian News

The announcement by well-known country artist Dierks Bentley that all shows on his Canadian tour have been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns has left some Regina artists wondering what this new variant of Omicron will mean for their livelihood.

Any Regina artist will likely tell you that the pandemic has hit their industry very hard. And just when it seemed like live audiences were making a comeback, the Omicron variant is spreading and forcing gigs to be canceled once again – something a local musician laments.

Jeffrey Straker said it’s heartbreaking to watch.

“You have to do what you have to do, but it’s only the last year, or almost two years, that has been so painful for the performing arts that it requires people to come together,” Straker said.

Some local establishments still continue with live music for the time being, all while following the necessary COVID-19 guidelines.

In a statement, Sask Gaming said that it is taking direction on COVID-19 guidelines from the province’s director of medical health.

Trend stories

• 

  Will Omicron Drive Hospitalizations in Canada? This is what other countries tell us

• 

  ‘King died’: 8-year-old shooting victim honored as NS community mourns

“At this time, no shows have been canceled in the Casino Regina showroom due to security concerns related to COVID-19,” the statement added.

The Brandt Center, which was to host Bentley, would not speculate whether more concerts could be canceled in the future.

There are currently no meeting limits set for live shows in the province.

Hoping to spark some Christmas cheer and spirit, Straker came up with the idea of ​​gathering a group together and going to sing Christmas carols in his Cathedral neighborhood. He said the idea was inspired by Scrooge’s story in A Christmas Carol.

“In a way it speaks to this idea at Christmas time that you should think of others and you should give a little of what you have to help others who may need it.”

The carols collected donations for the local food bank and Straker hopes this will become an annual tradition.

See link »