JACKSON, Miss. ( WJTV ) – Comedian Kevin Hart will not perform this month at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson. Concerts featuring Kansas and Wheel of Fortune Live! have also been canceled.

According to Arden Barnett, with Ardenland, the cancellations happened due to the recent closure of Thalia Mara Hall. In early August, the city was forced to close the facility after “early microbial activity” was discovered following a recent malfunction with the HVAC controller in the facility.

Arts leaders said the shutdown left Jackson arts nonprofits in a late scramble for alternative spaces to fulfill long-planned performances that are seasonal staples in the community.

The closure has put a strain on ticket sales for Jackson arts leaders, like the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra.

Jackson arts leaders want more timely communication from Jackson leaders about the shutdown.

“The thing that we learned, though, through this process is we don’t know each other well, and our city leaders didn’t quite understand the perspective, our challenges. And so, we came together and decided on a vehicle as arts leaders to share our challenges with the city and call out for for partner authorship and communication so that we could move forward together and perhaps we could be part of the solution,” said Jenny Mann, president and executive director of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra.

Jackson leaders said their committed to restoring Thalia Mara Hall, and they’re working to secure funding for the project. The city recently received $1.5 million from the state.

The city plans to reopen Thalia Mara Hall when the issues have been alleviated. There is no current timeframe for the repairs.

Those who purchased tickets to the upcoming shows that have been canceled will be refunded, according to officials.

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