A slate of concerts at the historic Athenaeum Theatre in downtown Columbus has been abruptly canceled after the venue’s operator, TempleLive, announced it is ending programming.
The company, which purchased the theater in early 2024, posted a notice on its website stating “there are currently no upcoming events.” Ticketmaster now lists previously scheduled TempleLive shows at the Athenaeum as canceled, with refunds promised to ticket holders.
TempleLive, which also runs former Masonic venues in Cleveland, Wichita, and Fort Smith, Arkansas, has canceled shows in those cities as well.
The news leaves fans scrambling to adjust their plans.
A Sparks concert originally scheduled for Sept. 14 at the Athenaeum has been moved to KEMBA Live!, while comedian Dusty Slay announced on Instagram that his October 24 performance is off, though he intends to rebook in Columbus.
Not all shows at the Athenaeum are canceled, however. Local promoter Celebrity Etc Presents confirmed that its upcoming events, including The Waterboys (Sept. 12), Geordie Greep (Sept. 18), and The Weight Band (Sept. 19), will still go on at the venue.
The Athenaeum, located at 32 N. Fourth St., was built in 1896 as a Masonic Temple and has long been used for weddings, special events, and concerts. When TempleLive acquired the building last year, the company said it planned to bring 100 performances a year to Columbus.
For now, the future of TempleLive’s role in the city’s live music scene remains unclear.
