Trying to start a show then getting ghosted by venue

Is this a common thing? I've been trying to start a show in my home city. I have the connections set. I have headliners in agreement. I'll meet with a venue, shake hands, and then I get completely ghosted.

If you've changed your mind or want to go with someone else, that's fine! I'm a big boy, I can handle it. But twice now I've ended up spending a little of time planning promotion, calendars, and lining up talent and both times they just stop communicating.