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FAQs - COVID19

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Click here for general FAQs or click here for FAQs related to subscriptions.

List of Questions

  1. What phase of the Commonwealth's reopening plan do most Celebrity Series performances fall under? 
  2. Where can I find a running list of all updates, changes, and cancellations of 2020-21 performances?
  3. Did any of the artists from this season reschedule to a digital performance?
  4. Are there any free digital performances?
  5. What about the winter and spring 2021 performances? Many of those are still on the schedule and on sale.
  6. If performances are able to go ahead in 2021, but I am still nervous during performance week, what are my options with my tickets?
  7. I am a subscriber and still have an active order for performances this Winter or Spring. Will Celebrity Series be changing how seating takes place this season?
  8. If performances are allowed to resume, what safety measures is Celebrity Series planning to take?

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What phase of the Commonwealth's reopeining plan do most Celebrity Series performances fall under? 

We believe that most performances remaining in the current season fall under Phase 4 of the Reopening Massachusetts plan. 

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Where can I find a running list of updates, changes, and cancellations of 2020-21 performances?

The status of all 2020-21 performances is reflected on the corresponding web page and in our searchable calendar. Search/browse the calendar.

For a log of all changes to the season as they have rolled out over time, please see our Update Regarding Celebrity Series 2020-21 Performances.

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Did any of the artists from this season reschedule to a digital performance?

Yes! There are six paid digital performances that feature artists originally booked in this season's subscription series. We're thrilled that they'll be presenting high-quality, Series-exclusive digital concerts with modest ticket prices. Learn more here.

Tickets to the originally-scheduled live performance are not valid for the digital concert.

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Are there any free digital performances?

Yes! Our Neighborhood Arts performances continue, in a socially-distanced and responsible way. We are excited to partner with amazing Boston-based artists to safely present free digital performances from their homes, local venues, or studios. You can learn more here. 

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What about the Winter and Spring 2021 performances? Many of those are still on the schedule and on sale.

We can't say at this time, because so much about this situation is fluid and our decision-making is "downstream" from other companies' and organizations' decisions. We expect that we will be subject to Phase 4 guidelines for almost all performances, and are still waiting to hear about the status of many tours and venues, so we cannot make any official announcements about Winter and Spring performances until many outstanding questions are answered. In the event of a cancellation, we will promptly refund the ticket prices and fees to you if you do choose to order at this time. 

If you have already subscribed, you can see what shows are still currently scheduled in your series, by logging into your account.

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If performances are able to go ahead in 2021 but I am still nervous during my performance week, what are my options for my tickets? 

Please don't hesitate to call us! We're committed to being flexible with our loyal patrons. If performances are allowed to go forward, patrons may make changes to their reservations until noon on the business day before the performance. Our box office's customer service hours are Monday through Friday 10 am - 4 pm (1 pm on summer Fridays).

 

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I am a subscriber and still have an active order for performances this Winter or Spring. Will Celebrity Series be changing how seating takes place this season?

Thank you for your subscription order; we ask for your patience as we -- along with our venue partners and touring artists -- work through the myriad health and safety questions that the pandemic raises. If performances in 2021 can go forward, we anticipate seating subscribers much nearer to the performance than we have in seasons past. You will likely receive your seat assignments and your tickets two weeks in advance. There will be severe restrictions on capacity, but all the factors that determine the order in which your seats are assigned in a typical season will continue to apply. 

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If performances are allowed to resume, what safety measures is Celebrity Series planning to take?

Celebrity Series remains committed to keeping our audiences safe. We will continue to monitor the latest CDC and Commonwealth of Massachusetts guidelines in order to assess proper safety precautions, in partnership with our venues, and will take every measure possible to adhere to the highest standards of caution.  Information on those guidelines is available at cdc.gov and mass.gov.

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More FAQs

Previous Updates

Update on March 31, 2020

Announcing the new subscription on sale date for our 2020-2021 Season:

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Online sales begin at 9 AM

Due to ongoing public health events, we have moved our subscription on sale date forward one month. Subscription sales for the 2020-21 season, which begins in September, are now scheduled to launch on May 6. Please check this website for updates and 2020-2021 season program information.

Update on March 13, 2020

The safety of Celebrity Series of Boston audience members, artists, staff, and those in our community is our highest priority. Due to coronavirus (COVID-19) public health concerns, and following the CDC and Commonwealth of Massachusetts recommendation of social distancing, the Celebrity Series of Boston is canceling all remaining performances of the 2019-2020 season. All community performances, receptions, the annual gala, and other gatherings are also canceled for the remainder of the season.

As cancellations of performances and gatherings become more widespread in response to COVID-19, the financial impact on artists and presenters around the world is becoming a harsh reality. If you would like to support our mission during these uncertain times please consider making an additional gift to ensure Celebrity Series’ continued resilience, please visit https://www.celebrityseries.org/join-give/.

If you have any questions, please contact our box office at boxoffice@celebrityseries.org. Please note our new box office hours beginning on Monday, March, 16 will be, Monday - Friday, 11 AM to 3 PM. Also beginning on March 16, walk-ins will not be available until further notice. 

As of April 23rd, 2020, all ticket holders to cancelled performances who purchased directly through Celebrity Series have been refunded back to your original form of payment. If you have any questions regarding your refund, please email  boxoffice@celebrityseries.org

List of Canceled Performances and Events

  • The Chieftains: The Irish Goodbye, Fri. March 13, 8PM, Symphony Hall
  • South End Stringfest, Castle of our Skins, Boston String Academy, Josiah Quincy Orchestra Saturday, March 14, 2020, More than Words Bookstore
  • Daniil Trifonov, Sun. March 15, Symphony Hall
  • An Evening with Chris Thile, Wed., March 18, Sanders Theatre
  • Stave Sessions: Kinan Azmeh’s CityBand, Tue., March 17, 160 Mass. Ave.
  • Stave Sessions: Meklit, Wed., March 18, 160 Mass. Ave.
  • Stave Sessions: Sid Sriram, Thur., March 19, 160 Mass. Ave.
  • Stave Sessions: Sybarite5 with Ehsan Matoori, Fri. March 20, 160 Mass. Ave.
  • Kronos Quartet – Music for Change: The Banned Countries, Saturday, March 21, 2020, 8 PM, Sanders Theatre
  • Jason Palmer Quintet, Saturday, March 21, 4 PM, Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry, Putnam Chapel
  • Soul Yatra Trio, Sun. March 22, 3 PM, Hibernian Hall, Boston
  • Béla Fleck and the Flecktones, Friday, March 27, 8 PM, Berklee Performance Center
  • Lyon Opera Ballet, March 27-29, Boch Center Shubert Theatre
  • Pierre-Laurent Aimard, piano – Beethoven the Avant-gardist Saturday, March 28 - 29 NEC's Plimpton Shattuck Black Box Theatre
  • Davóne Tines, bass-baritone, Wednesday, April 1, 2020, 8 PM, Longy’s Pickman Hall
  • Celebrity Series Gala, Saturday, April 4, 6:30 PM, The Cyclorama
  • David Sedaris, Friday, April 10, 8 PM, Symphony Hall
  • Paul Taylor Dance Company, April 17-19, Boch Center Shubert Theatre
  • Angela Gheorghiu in Recital with Alexandra Dariescu, piano, Friday, April 17, 8 PM, NEC’s Jordan Hall
  • Dakh Daughters, Friday, April 24, 8 PM, Berklee Performance Center
  • Alicia Olatuja and the Matthew Whitaker Quartet, Saturday, April 25, 8 PM, Berklee Performance Center
  • Renee Fleming, soprano & Evgeny Kissin, piano, Sunday, April 26, 5 PM, Symphony Hall
  • Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, April 30-May 3, Boch Center Wang Theatre
  • Castle of our Skins, Neighborhood Arts, Saturday, May 2, 4 PM, Church of the Holy Spirit, Mattapan
  • Danish String Quartet, Sunday, May 3, 3 PM, NEC’s Jordan Hall 

Update on March 12, 2020

FAQs regarding COVID-19 and the status of upcoming performances.

Is Celebrity Series still presenting upcoming events as scheduled?

The Celebrity Series is closely monitoring the fluid situation regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus) and in communication with artists and venues. The following performances have been canceled.

  • Aoife O’Donovan, Thurs., March 12, Sanders Theatre
  • The Chieftains: The Irish Goodbye, Fri. March 13, 8:00 PM, Symphony Hall
  • Daniil Trifonov, Sun. March 15, 3:00 PM, Symphony Hall
  • An Evening with Chris Thile, Wed., March 18, Sanders Theatre
  • Stave Sessions: Kinan Azmeh’s CityBand, Tue., March 17, 160 Mass. Ave. 
  • Stave Sessions: Meklit, Wed., March 18, 160 Mass. Ave.
  • Stave Sessions: Sid Sriram, Thu., March 19, 160 Mass. Ave. 
  • Stave Sessions: Sybarite5 with Ehsan Matoori, Fri. March 20, 160 Mass. Ave. 

We are currently working to get in touch with all ticket holders for these performances. Please bear with us while we work through our patron communications. We will contact you regarding your tickets to Celebrity Series performance beyond those on this list.

Is the office still open regular hours?

Yes. As of now we are open regular hours: Monday – Friday, 10am to 4pm.

 

Update on March 7, 2020 regarding performances at Sanders Theatre

Harvard University announced last night that it was closing Sanders Theatre to all outside renters, effective immediately, through at least April 30. For Celebrity Series, this decision impacts the upcoming concerts with Aoife O’Donovan, Chris Thile and Kronos Quartet. At the moment, Celebrity Series is exploring if there is any possibility of rescheduling these concerts at an alternate venue or later date and we expect to make a decision shortly. We ask that all patrons hold their tickets to these performances. We will be in touch with ticket holders within the next few days about their options. If you have not done so already, we encourage patrons to provide us with your relevant contact information here.

About COVID-19

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is an evolving situation that Celebrity Series of Boston continues to monitor closely. We are following, and will continue to follow, guidelines and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Based on those current recommendations, all other Celebrity Series performances and activities will take place as scheduled. We will continue to monitor and reassess the situation and issue updates as relevant information becomes available.

For more information on our policies, including subscriber exchange benefits, please visit celebrityseries.org/FAQ.  Refunds are only offered in the case of the cancellation of a performance.

We urge everyone to follow CDC and other health organization recommendations for protecting yourself during this flu season.

For information regarding Celebrity Series activities, please sign up for our e-mail list below