Washington DC Declares State Of Emergency; I.M.P Postpones Events At 9:30 Club, Lincoln Theatre & The Anthem

With the number of coronavirus cases rising in Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a state of emergency and a public health emergency Wednesday, with officials recommending that all non-essential mass-gatherings of 1,000+ capacity be postponed or canceled through the end of the month. I.M.P. has responded to the crisis by postponing all events scheduled March 12 through March 31 at the 9:30 Club, Lincoln Theatre and The Anthem, as well as 9:30 Club Presents shows at U Street Music Hall, “regardless of the size of the gathering.” 

Shows scheduled tonight (March 11) will still go on, including The Dead Kennedys at the 9:30 Club, but a statement from I.M.P. notes that if ticketholders prefer not to attend, they can contact the venue for a refund. 

“For patrons who have tickets for other shows in March, we will be in touch and will make them aware once we have a new show date. If they’re unable to attend on the new date, they may request tickets to another show of similar value or a refund,” I.M.P. says. 

The statement adds, “The health of our employees, patrons, community and artists is paramount. We’re hoping everyone takes the precautions health experts have been sharing.  We look forward to seeing everyone in April and beyond.” 

Postponed shows include gigs at 9:30 Club by Dashboard Confessional, Best Coast, Soccer Mommy, Third Eye Blind, as well as performances at the Anthem by Nathaniel Rateliff, Sturgill Simpson, Keane and more.  

Shows at the I.M.P. venues are scheduled to resume April 1.

The number of cases of coronavirus in D.C., had reached 10 as of post time, according to the Associated Press. The capital’s St. Patrick Day’s Parade has been postponed and the National Cherry Blossom festival, which runs March 20 through April 12, has postponed several events. 

The AP also reports the Walter E. Washington Convention Center is calling off events from March 13 to March 31. 

As for Capital One Arena, Monumental Sports & Entertainment released a statement saying, “All concerts and events being hosted at Capital One Arena are currently planned to go on as scheduled at the direction of their respective promoters. We are in contact with event organizers and should they update their status, we will update the public accordingly.” All NBA and NHL games will also go on as scheduled and be open to spectators. 

Celine Dion was supposed to perform at Capital One Arena March 11 but rescheduled her show for Nov. 16, as well as moving her March 13 gig at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh to Nov. 18, because she has a cold. A statement on her social media notes that “after testing her, the doctors concluded that her virus was not related to COVID-19.”