In Tucson, Arizona, controversy stirs as The Rialto Theatre faces backlash over the last-minute cancellation of a concert by Jewish-American artist Matisyahu, set for February 15. Citing "safety concerns and staff shortage," a statement posted on the venue's Facebook page announced the scrubbed gig. The theatre also expressed its apologies for the inconvenience caused by the abrupt notice.
Matisyahu took to his X page, ventilating frustrations, suggesting antisemitism may have played a role. He wrote, "They do this because they are either anti-Semitic or have confused their empathy for the Palestinian people with hatred for someone like me who holds empathy for both Israelis and Palestinians." The Rialto's executive director, Cathy Rivers, was swift to clarify in a subsequent statement, obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix, that the decision was strictly about safety and not influenced by political or religious views.
Rivers further elaborated, revealing in a follow-up statement cited by FOX 10 Phoenix, "I am deeply saddened and offended by the public’s accusations of antisemitism as the cause for the Matisyahu concert cancellation." She also addressed the community concern, admitting that more transparency might have been useful beforehand.
Detailing the events that led to the cancellation, Rivers said staff members began to call out over fears for their safety. Alongside this, Matisyahu's representatives sought additional armed security, a move that conflicted with The Rialto's no-firearm policy. Decisions made in the face of these developments, Rivers defended, were to mitigate risked armed, not to slight the artist whom they had hosted 13 times prior.
The cancellation echoed a similar incident from 2015, when Matisyahu faced an event drop-out in Spain after he was pressured by festival organizers to state his political views, reported by FOX 10 Phoenix. Despite the current uproar, Matisyahu was remunerated fully for the would-be performance, and staff members received pay for the scheduled concert hours. Ticket holders are being offered refunds.
