Schools, businesses and government offices throughout the Red Bank region are closed, and even the New York Times sheepishly informed its subscribers not to expect today’s newspaper before tomorrow.
But the Steve Winwood show at the Count Basie Theatre is still on for tonight.
Huh?
That’s right: even with forecasts of severe weather” and warnings to motorists that they stay off the road, the show is going on. Or was, as of 2:45p.
“We have a policy that when the artist shows up, unless the artist cancels it, the show must go on,” says theater spokeswoman Diana St. John.
Winwood’s bus has been parked outside the theater since about 10a, so he’s there. And assuming he performs, there will be no refunds available for unused tickets to the nearly sold-out show.
The theater is advising ticketholders to give themselves plenty of time to get to the show and of course, to drive safely.
Let’s hope that with Winwood’s “Can’t Find My Way Home” isn’t prophetic for them afterwards.
Here’s the National Weather Service forecast, for those of you not already receiving it non-stop:
This Afternoon: Snow and areas of blowing snow. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 35. Windy, with a north wind between 26 and 28 mph, with gusts as high as 43 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 7 to 11 inches possible.
Tonight: Snow and areas of blowing snow before midnight, then a chance of snow between midnight and 2am. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 26. Windy, with a north wind between 24 and 29 mph, with gusts as high as 46 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 35. Breezy, with a northwest wind between 20 and 22 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. Blustery, with a northwest wind between 14 and 20 mph.
Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. Northwest wind between 13 and 18 mph.
Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 24.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20.
Presidents’ Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 36.
Monday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 35.