COVID-19: Lethbridge artists concerned as Omicron continues to spread – Lethbridge | The Canadian News

Performing opportunities are getting harder and harder to come by for The Chevelles and their drummer, Don Plettell.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the band was booked every weekend. While concerts haven’t been as consistent, Plettell says they were still busy this fall under the province’s restriction waiver program.

“People could come in, regular hours until 1 or 2 (am), dancing was good and everything was great,” Plettell said.

Then came new restrictions just before Christmas, causing many of their bookings to be postponed yet again.

“We just postponed a whole year, then postponed another year,” Plettell said.

“It’s now 2022 and I just missed my January and February (concerts) that had been postponed from 2021.”

The new reality has the Good Times Comedy Club adjusting, going from hosting four shows a weekend before the pandemic to two.

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“The spread of Omicron hurt our attendance, definitely in the last couple of weeks,” said co-owner and comedian Faris Hytiaa.

“In fact, we’re canceling this weekend because all of our staff have COVID.”

While the club has been operating with reduced capacity and enhanced cleaning measures, Hytiaa is concerned about the possibility of further restrictions like those put in place in Ontario and Quebec and the impact it could have on his club and the industry as a whole.

“In terms of club life, and I’m sure the life of many clubs across the country, it’s crucial right now that we’re allowed to operate at some level,” he said.

Concerns that add to what Plettell says has been a difficult time for his counterparts in the local music scene.

“I see an industry that is shrinking and that is a concern.”