Tickets are now on sale for the July 4th celebration Concert On the Commons. Live music returns to The Village Green with the popular dance band Continental Divide at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 4 at the Commons.
“We’re delighted to gather again after what has been a very challenging fifteen months to produce these events for community enjoyment,” said Ann Self, Executive Director of The Village Green. “It only seems appropriate to celebrate this as part of the Fourth of July holiday weekend.”
Concert information is on the concerts page of The Village Green website, HERE.
Continental Divide has been playing venues across the southeast for more than 30 years. From the silky-smooth voice of Carolina Beach Music Hall of Fame performer Gene Pharr to the lightness of the rhythm section to the flowing lines of the horn section, they put on a performance that everyone will be sure to remember. This will be the fourth time that Continental Divide has been the featured performer for the Cashiers Independence Day concert.
As with all things returning with the decline of the pandemic and like many similar venues across the country, changes are necessary for 2021.
“Your visit to concerts in The Village Green may look different than in previous years, but we intend to create a safe, affordable, and memorable experience for you, your family, and friends,” said Self. “We ask your patience and flexibility.”
A few noteworthy changes include advance ticket sales with reserved areas for seating, a limit on the number of tents and check-in with wristbands. Picnics and coolers are always welcome, but there will not be food or beverage vendors this year. Commons Pods will be three different sizes, including one option for tent space, and located in the area of the center stage lawn of the Commons.
Each size will accommodate a certain number of people who will bring their own chairs or blankets as usual. General admission seating will also be available on a first come, first served basis. These tickets should also be purchased in advance to guarantee a space. Since there will be advance ticketing with reserved seating areas, chairs will be permitted to be set up only after 5 p.m. on the day of the concert when the box office will open.
Volunteers who help with the Concerts On the Commons will be guaranteed reserved seating for two in a Concert Pod with each night they volunteer. Anyone interested in volunteering should email courtney@cashiersgreen.com.
“We realize this is a new way of doing things. We have all had to deal with a lot of change these past many months,” said Self. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and flexibility. We’re learning to adjust, too.” She added that she hopes this is only temporary for 2021.
Many of these changes are unrelated to the health guidance and have more to do with other important considerations, including support staff and finances.
“Lots of people do not realize what is associated with producing the concerts,” said Self.
This includes the expenses connected with each one. She went on to describe the financial impact of the pandemic on the nonprofit that operates The Village Green, including event operations.
“We simply cannot assume the financial risk that we do not collect enough in donations to pay for the concerts and end up losing money.”
A full schedule of live music events is on the Concerts page of The Village Green, HERE.
Information includes the dates and performers with links to purchase tickets on Eventbrite, and a downloadable guide to the new procedures and a map of the venue showing Commons Pods and other seating.