As we head into the third year of theCOVID-19pandemic, Bay Area arts and entertainment organizations once again face a season of uncertainty.
With coronavirus cases and hospitalizations trending downward following the devastating omicron surge, public health officialsare peeling back most of thesafety measuresaimed at controlling the spread of the virus. Masks areno longer requiredfor anyone in most indoor settings,and most counties no longer mandate that people showproof of vaccinationor a negative test to enter restaurants and entertainment venues.
“San Francisco is ready to further reduce COVID–19 restrictions and allowindividuals to make their own decisions to protect themselves and their loved ones,” Dr. Susan Philip, the city’s health officer, said in a statement announcing the easing of the rules.
That meansvenue owners,concert promoters, event organizers, cultural institutions and their patrons like you once again have to figure out their own way forward.Megan Murray, audience services manager at the American Conservatory Theater, told The Chronicle that she is part of afront-of-house“support group” that meets weekly to cope with the changing rules that appear to be shifting daily.
After months of touch-and-go operations to keep their doors open and their staff, audience members and performers safe, many local operators will no doubt want to play it safe in the coming months and ask people to continue to wear masks, show proof of vaccination and maybe even use a dollop of hand sanitizer.
But whether the looser health guidelines are cause for cautious optimism or optimal caution, there will be plenty of spring offerings for every risk level: art showsthat allow plenty of room for social distancing; theater performances that cater to small, highly vaccinated audiences; long-awaited blockbuster movies inside indoor theaters with popcorn-chomping fans; and massive music festivals where tens of thousands of maskless fans can shout along to Metallica.
Here are just a few events The Chronicle is looking forward to this season, no matter what twists the pandemic brings.
Getting through the last two years hasn’t been easy. Entertainment helped
In spring 2022, Bay Area theater returns — for real this time
11 movies that might get you back into the theater this spring
7 Bay Area art exhibitions not to miss this spring
10 Bay Area classical music offerings to brighten the spring months
Grab a seat as the Bay Area dance scene springs back to life
Like spring itself, Bay Area film festivals about to experience a warming trend
We need comedy now — so get your fill in the Bay Area this spring