From the Savannah Morning News on Saturday:

“There apparently are numerous factors that contributed to the decision that Iâ€m not privy to,” [Savannah Sand Gnats president John Katz] said. “Obviously, weâ€re disappointed and understand theyâ€re working on rescheduling a date with the band. Unfortunately, we donâ€t have any control over this.” […]

A representative of SavCon said Sam Frankel at POW! Entertainment told him the concert was canceled because the platoon/battalion that Stan Lee met at Hunter Army Airfield in October was deployed, and the entertainment group wanted that platoon to be able to benefit from the concert/charity.

It’s a curious move, and there’s no reason to doubt the reason for cancellation here. But one wonders what ticket sales could have been like for this show.

Savannah is notoriously a walkup town — residents are accustomed to waiting till the day of the show to buy tickets for lots of concerts. And even though this was billed as a military benefit, the ticket prices were pretty high. The amounts aren’t out of line with other O.A.R. shows around the country, but box seating for $50, reserved for $40, and general admission for $35 is pretty pricy around these parts. Even DoD cardholders would have had to pay $25, and gift tickets for active duty military members were $25 too. (I like the band OK, but no way I would have gone for those prices.)

A portion of the net proceeds would apparently have supported various military charities, but what does “net” mean here? After the promoters and band took their cuts, how much would have been left?

As stated elsewhere, O.A.R.’s Facebook page notes that there is a chance of rescheduling, but we’ll see how serious that is. No one has even bothered to update Stan Lee’s POWer Concerts Facebook page with the cancellation info. Ditto for Stan Lee’s Facebook page. The series’ website has just one more event listed for all of 2013.

None of this looks good for O.A.R. fans.

Here’s most of today’s press release:

Emmy and Golden Globe Award winning actor John Goodman (Flight) will receive an Outstanding Achievement in Cinema Award and comic book legend, former President and Chairman of Marvel Comics Stan Lee (The Avengers) will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 15th Annual Savannah Film Festival, which will take place from October 27th to November 3th.

Academy Award-nominated actors Matt Dillon (Crash) and Diane Lane (Unfaithful) will be honored with “Outstanding Achievement in Cinema” Awards. Actress Michelle Monaghan will receive a “Spotlight Award” for her performance in Tomorrow Youâ€re Gone, and Academy Award-winning writer/director Geoffrey Fletcher (Precious) will receive the 2nd Annual SCAD Cinevation Award prior to a screening of his directorial debut Violet & Daisy. The filmâ€s star James Gandolfini will be in attendance.

David O. Russellâ€s Silver Linings Playbook will open the festival on Saturday October 27. Other special screenings include Robert Zemeckis†Flight (writer John Gatins will be honored prior to screening) Dustin Hoffmanâ€s Quartet, Jacques Audiardâ€s Rust & Bone, Wayne Blairâ€s The Sapphires, Michael Hanekeâ€s Canneâ€s Palme Dâ€Or winner Amour, and Walter Salles†On the Road. Dreamworks Animationâ€s Rise of the Guardian directed by Peter Ramsey and written by Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire—who will be honored prior to the screening—will close the festival as the first ever 3D film to play at Savannah.

RealD Inc., a leading global licensor of 3D technologies, has partnered with SCAD to be the exclusive 3D cinema provider at the Savannah Film Festival. RealD will also provide SCAD with the companyâ€s patented 3D lens and glasses for permanent use, allowing the universityâ€s film and digital media students to screen their projects in 3D.

Other special screenings taking place at this yearâ€s festival include: Matt Ross†28 Hotel Rooms, David Jacobsonâ€s Tomorrow Youâ€re Gone, Bedabrata Painâ€s Chittagong, Ry Russo-Youngâ€s Nobody Walks, Brian Savelsonâ€s In Our Nature with star Zach Gilford in attendance, Glenn Gaylordâ€s I Do with writer/star David W. Ross in attendance, Ramona Diazâ€s Journey documentary Donâ€t Stop Believinâ€, HBO Films†“The Girl” directed by Julian Jarrold (who will attend), and Lori Silver Bush and Kristi Jacobsonâ€s documentary A Place at the Table. Matt Dillon will take part in a Q&A after City of Ghosts, the 2002 film that he wrote, directed and stars in; and Diane Lane will take part in a Q&A after A Little Romance, her 1979 film debut.

Other confirmed special guests include Christy Turlington Burns who will show her documentary No Woman, No Cry; producer/directors Adam Shankman (showing his movie Hairspray) and Bob Shaye (showing his movie The Last Mimzy); Actor/Director Matthew Lillard, whoâ€s film Fat Kid Rules the World will play in competition; photographer Nigel Barker (showing his documentary Dreams art Not Forgotten; actors Gabourey Sidibe (Precious), Norman Reedus (“The Walking Dead”) and Miles Teller (Footloose), all of whom will speak with SCAD students over the course of the festival.