At a time when emotions are running high, many folks turn to comforting things like chocolate and wine, but one place they won’t be able to partake this weekend is the long-planned-for Chocolate, Wine & Jazz event which had been slated for this Saturday evening, March 14th, at 7pm.
Lake Michigan College and Foundry Hall, the nonprofit community arts organization, have canceled the much anticipated Chocolate, Wine & Jazz event on the South Haven Campus.
Jeremy Burleson, Director of LMC’s South Haven Campus says, “With the escalating sense of urgency surrounding the coronavirus, we felt this was the right thing to do for our students, staff, and the members of our community.”
At this time, there is no immediate plan to reschedule the event. The second year of Chocolate, Wine & Jazz, would have featured performances by Uganda-born jazz musician Ivan Akansiima with special guest Jim Cooper and the LMC Jazz Band. The event also was set to highlight gourmet chocolate delicacies handcrafted by LMC culinary students and wine from Lake Michigan Vintners, LMC’s boutique teaching winery.
The World Health Organization announced Wednesday that the COVID-19 viral disease, which has swept into at least 114 countries and killed more than 4,000 people, is now officially a pandemic.
In light of the new cases diagnosed in Michigan, as well as the state’s recommendations, all upcoming events planned on LMC campuses where groups of 100 or more will be gathering are being evaluated for risk.
Chocolate, Wine & Jazz is the second LMC event to be canceled in as many weeks in response to the coronavirus. The Economic Club of Southwestern Michigan also canceled this month’s Speaker Series event slated for Wednesday, March 18. Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull notified LMC’s Mendel Center staff that he needed to cancel his appearance due to the unfolding global situation surrounding the coronavirus and related travel advisories. The Mendel Center is working to reschedule as soon as possible, and will notify Economic Club members and ticket holders when more information is available.
