PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Convention Center Authority, which operates the R.I. Convention Center and the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, announced late Thursday that 12 upcoming events slated to be held between Friday and late April at the venues are either postponed, canceled or suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The schedule alterations are in response to both RICCA and the Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau saying it will follow Gov. Gina M. Raimondo’s directive issued Wednesday urging Rhode Islanders, for two weeks, to not attend or organize events that will have 250 or more people attending in the wake of the ongoing outbreak.
This announcement also follows the University of Rhode Island stating Wednesday that it is postponing or canceling events that will draw more than 100 people – including upcoming March events at the Ryan Center. Other local colleges are also implementing similar initiatives regarding events on campus and other changes to programming.
The American Hockey League announced late Thursday via Twitter that it is suspending its 2019-20 season until further notice. The announcement comes as the National Hockey League and National Basketball Association have also suspended their respective seasons due to the outbreak.
The Providence Bruins, the AHL affiliate of the Boston Bruins, will not play at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center on March 21 and March 22.
The 70th annual Rhode Island Home Show, which was scheduled to take place in early April at the Convention Center, announced on its website that it is postponed until further notice.
The Harlem Globetrotters basketball game and show, originally scheduled for March 20, has been postponed and a new date will be announced in the future, the Dunkin Donuts Center said via Twitter late Thursday.
In a statement, RICCA and PWCVB said that they are working with clients to reschedule upcoming events at the two venues to a later date. Most of the events, meeting and convention businesses informed the entities that they are postponing events rather than canceling, RICCA and PWCVB said. RICCA is asking fans to retain their tickets as they will be be honored on the rescheduled dates. Tickets for canceled events can be returned for refunds, RICCA said.
Twin River Casino Hotel in Lincoln said Thursday it is postponing seven concerts and events through the month of March. Twin River said it is “actively engaged” in rescheduling events and asking ticket holders to be “patient and stay tuned” for updates on new dates for the events.
Other events around the state, including at the R.I. Convention Center and the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, have been postponed, canceled or rescheduled.
(Added grafs to note AHL suspension and impact on Providence Bruins, Harlem Globetrotters postponed event and Twin River postponements.)
James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter at @James_Bessette.
