Area 506 2019. Image: Dan Culberson, Submitted.
New Brunswick’s premiere celebration of local music, culture and goods will make a return this summer.
AREA 506 is planning a multi-week concert series at Saint John’s Long Wharf rather than its usual three-day event.
Founder and chairperson Ray Gracewood said they will hold 10 outdoor concerts over the course of five weeks between July 16 and Aug. 14.
“It’s a whole sort of new venture for us but what I’d like to think is probably the best outdoor live music experience, considering the circumstances, that’s been announced so far here in Canada,” said Gracewood.
Gracewood said the outdoor concert series will have a different feel from their usual concerts.
Tickets will be sold in six or 10-person pods so attendees can remain with their own social groups.
“Each concert is going to be relatively limited in capacity. It’s limited to 666 people per show, so that’s a series of different pods,” said Gracewood.
Masks and physical distancing will be required and everything will be well-signed throughout the site, he said.
But organizers are also excited about some of the changes that the COVID reality has brought upon them.
For example, Gracewood said they have taken the bar service a step further and turned it into a mini VIP table service operation.
“You don’t even have to get up and go to the bar, you’re gonna have the bar brought to you,” he said. “That’s all done through your mobile phone.”
The waterfront concert series will take place on Long Wharf, a marquee location on the Saint John waterfront and host to AREA 506 from 2016 to 2018.
The final talent lineup and schedule for the series will be announced on Friday with tickets going on sale next Thursday.
Follow
