Thomasville Entertainment Foundation is experiencing first-hand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with several of its series artists and ensembles requesting a change of dates for their fall concerts due to health and travel concerns.

“Several changes have become necessary in the TEF season schedule for 2020-21,” TEF Executive and Artistic Director Rick Ivey said Wednesday. “Following the August rise in identified coronavirus cases in Georgia and outbreaks on several school and college campuses, managers of our first two concert artists contacted us to ask for later concert dates.”

The season opening concert by Zlatomir Fung, the dynamic young cellist who was to perform in October, has been rescheduled to January 14. Additionally, the legendary Count Basie Orchestra, whose original booking was set for November, will now take the TEF stage on April 13. 

“Sadly, TEF is not immune to the continued impact of COVID-19, but we are very happy that these are postponements, not cancellations,” Ivey said. “Along with businesses, nonprofits and educational institutions across the country and around the world, the ever-evolving nature of the pandemic continues to disrupt our carefully curated season, and all events are subject to change.”

Last March, TEF experienced its first coronavirus-related postponement, when the Boston-based string orchestra, A Far Cry, was unable to make its Thomasville performance. That concert has now been rescheduled for February 2.

The latest date changes come in the midst of TEF’s annual series ticket subscription drive, which continues through September. This season, tickets to individual concerts will take place approximately one month before each event, subject to availability.

Thomasville Entertainment Foundation is offering its audience a no-risk guarantee during its 83rd performance season. In the event a TEF concert is fully cancelled due to COVID-19 or a related local or state governmental order, ticket purchasers will have several options, including credit for a future performance, a donation tax credit for the cancelled concert or a full refund of their purchase price.

“We recognize and sincerely regret the confusion and inconvenience these schedule changes may cause,” said TEF President Charlotte Arnold. “Please know that we are as committed as ever to presenting these incredible performing artists here in Thomasville when it is safe to do so.”

TEF’s 83rd season lineup also includes a February performance by saxophonist, composer and band leader Branford Marsalis and March concerts by British a cappella vocal ensemble VOCES8 and the London-based Academy of St Martin in the Fields Wind Ensemble.

For more information about upcoming performances, ticket availability, educational programs or supporting TEF, visit www.TEFconcerts.com or call (229) 226-7404.

Established in 1937, Thomasville Entertainment Foundation is a volunteer-powered, non-profit organization celebrating 83 years of entertaining the community. In addition to presenting concerts by acclaimed artists, TEF offers a dedicated family series of performances geared to families and younger children, provides educational outreach programs for students and awards performing arts scholarships and grants to promising young artists.