Indoor Concerts, Theater Performance, and Conferences Resume April 15

After a year of canceled concerts and theater performances, Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Friday, April 2, 2021, because the rate of people testing positive for the coronavirus has reached a record low, Indoor Concerts, Theatre Performances, and Conventions can resume starting April 15.

Testing or proof of vaccination for some of the events won’t be required; however, limits on the number of people admitted will be enforced.

Events requiring proof of a negative COVID-19 test or vaccination can increase capacity limits compared to events that don’t.

Private indoor gatherings such as weddings, meetings, and conferences are only allowed if guests present proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the event or show proof of full vaccination.

Photo Credit: Jared Murray on Unsplash

Here are the new regulations on indoor live events beginning April 15 based on tiers.
(These apply to venues with a capacity of up to 1,500 people)

  • Purple Tier: Indoor live events or performances are not allowed
  • Red Tier: Capacity is limited to 10% or 100 people; however, if guests present a negative COVID test or show proof of full vaccination, capacity increases to 25%.
  • Orange Tier: 15% capacity or 200 people max; if guests present a negative COVID test or show proof of full vaccination, capacity increases to 35%.
  • Yellow tier: 25% or 300 people; however, if guests present a negative COVID test or show proof of full vaccination, capacity increases to 50%.

Here are the regulations for larger venues based on tiers:

  • Red Tier: Proof of a negative COVID test or full vaccination is required, and capacity is restricted to 20%
  • Orange Tier: 10% or 2,000 people capacity; however, capacity will increase to 50% if all guests present proof of a negative COVID test or proof of full vaccination.
  • Yellow tier: 10% or 2,000 people capacity; however, capacity will increase to 50% if all guests either show proof of a negative COVID test or proof of full vaccination.

Photo Credit: Screenshot of California Tier map from covid19.ca.gov

Verify your county tier here to see what restrictions are currently in effect.

Governor Newsom wants Californians to continue wearing masks and practicing social distance even with the easing of restrictions.

Will you be hitting up live performances or wait it out a bit longer? Let me know on Twitter or Instagram.

Cover Photo: Concert by Pien Muller on UnSplash

Written By: Mike Stark | @MikeStarkCA

Living with Hope: experimental theater

The San Diego State theater department recently teamed up with Playwrights Project to stage “Living with Hope” in SDSU’s experimental theater from March 16-19. The performance consisted of two short plays: Mabelle Reynoso’s “Other People’s Kids” followed by Out of the Yard Playwrights’ “Finding Our Way.” Both plays centered on the cycle and struggles of addiction.

The first play was prefaced by a series of abstract and disturbing images, such as a detailed drawing of the Grim Reaper, projected onto the stage’s backdrop. The images were adorned with provoking phrases like, “Just another hit… euphoria setting in… lifeless here I die,” and “I did things no girl should dare.”

Photo by Julianna Ress.

“Other People’s Kids” featured interconnected stories related to meth use. Destiny Girley and Nick Sandoval played Gaby and Jesse, a young couple expecting a child. Gaby is an ex-meth user while Jesse is still using and selling, which leads to abusive behavior toward Gaby. Gaby attempts to get her life together for their child, and ultimately their breakup. Jake and Gaby’s story realistically displayed the pitfalls and manipulation that come from meth use and abusive relationships.

Alex DeMarco played Patty, mother to Brown University-bound teen daughter Mackenzie, played by Paige Jensen. Mackenzie, while an exceptional student, is a social outcast due to her fierce academic dedication. She turns to drugs looking for a feeling of normalcy. Obtaining meth through Jesse, she sacrifices her health and college plans because of the drugs, much to Patty’s dismay. Mackenzie’s story ends somewhat unresolved, as it remains unknown if she recovers from her addiction. However, amidst Patty’s disgust at what her daughter has become, she realizes that Mackenzie is still human and is suffering from a disease. The ambiguity of Mackenzie’s character arc reflects the uncertainties faced by addicts’ families – will she recover? Will she die? Will she spend her entire life on the streets? Mackenzie and Patty’s relationship was a heartbreaking and accurate display of the struggle to keep hope alive when parenting an addict.

“Finding Our Way” began immediately after the final scene of “Other People’s Kids” and was a much more abstract look at addiction. The play featured several reenactments of the characters’ first time using various drugs due to peer pressure, low self-esteem and curiosity. The most powerful scene was when a mother came home with a man, both clearly intoxicated, and proceeded to fight right in front of her daughter while three other characters attempted to shield the daughters’ eyes.

“Finding Our Way” stressed that there are better ways to treat addicts than incarceration, such as rehabilitation centers, therapy and meditation. The play stood firmly against jail time for drug-users, since those laws affect the families of addicts arguably more so than the addicts themselves.

The play additionally featured “addiction” personified, who goaded the other characters into doing drugs to attempt to catch the feelings they constantly chase. The characters would fall at the touch of the “addiction” character, depicting the immense power addiction has over their lives.

The performance as a whole portrayed addiction in two wildly different ways. “Other People’s Kids” presented the many lifestyles of drug addicts, emphasizing that drugs can find anyone. “Finding Our Way” offered a look into the addicts’ minds, and the options available and steps necessary to reach recovery. “Living with Hope” treated addiction effectively and realistically, and avoided going over the audience’s heads by being preachy or cheesy, as is often true of performances about drug addiction. The show was especially powerful and relevant to students, but the stories, as “Living with Hope” stressed, could relate to anyone.

Featured Image by Julianna Ress.