NEO concert halls requiring a vax card or negative COVID test

CLEVELAND – The very sound of a mic control inside a ballroom and empty Beachland tavern on Thursday night is music to manager Todd Gauman’s ears.

“It’s exciting to find the public and the groups again,” he said.

Gauman said this month the venue finally reopened to full capacity and with a full schedule.

“It’s the perfect place to have people here and watch a community come together and enjoy a band, enjoy the music,” he said.

It’s also a sweet comeback for bands like Quick Mystery. The local band’s bassist said.

“We tried to play in as many local venues as possible,” said bassist Michael Aimes.

The Beachland Ballroom’s Thursday show featured artists Carver Commodore, Quick Mystery and HALLIE. Hannah Ramsey said she was delighted to be present.

“It’s completely different than listening on your own,” she said. “You have people coming together, you can move together. This is very fun.”

She is not alone in her love for live music. Anne Harris and a group of friends drove from Buffalo, New York to Akron on Thursday to attend the Kings of Leon concert at the Blossom Music Center.

“The Kings are my favorite group. I have traveled to many states to see them and here we are, ”she said.

But just as her band arrived in Akron, she learned that the concert was postponed. A member of the group’s team has tested positive for COVID, the group shared on social media.

“We had to find a hotel. We had to buy the tickets. We all had to stop working and now there is no show, ”she said. “I am devastated.”

She believes the group and her team should have been tested earlier, so the postponement could have come with more notice.

“If it could have been five hours earlier, we wouldn’t have made the trip and would have figured it out by then,” Harris said. “But two hours before the doors open, it’s a little short notice.”

Thursday’s postponement at Blossom Music Center is exactly what Gauman is trying to avoid. The Beachland Ballroom, Agora, Bop Stop, Foundry Concert Club, Grog Shop, Happy Dog, Jilly’s Music Room, Mahall’s and Music Box Supper Club have collaborated to keep performers and performers safe. spectators.

“It was just trying to find a way to be able to support certain companies and be able to support certain musicians,” Gauman said.

Spectators at these venues will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test taken within 48 hours of entry to enter the gates.

“We can’t afford to shut down again, none of the sites can,” Gauman said. “A lot of the shows that we book, the requests come from the band or their agents that they would like to have these policies in place to keep everyone safe.”

Harris said it was a good idea.

“I have a card. I wanna go, you know, the people who are with me too. We are vaccinated, ”she said.

Ramsey also thinks it’s smart.

“I think it’s a great idea that even if you’re uncomfortable getting the vaccine you can still prove ‘Hey I don’t have COVID here are my results’ and show it that way “she said.

If you’ve already purchased a Beachland Ballroom ticket for a concert after September 7th, the venue will reimburse you.

RELATED: Kings of Leon postpones Blossom Music Center concert after band team member tests positive for COVID