ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Birchmere, Alexandria’s major concert hall, will reopen on July 10 with a performance by the Billy Price Charm City Rhythm Band. Tickets for all the upcoming shows are only $15.00 and are all general admission with a few extra Covid-related details.
In its regular newsletter and on its website, the management announced its reopening schedule, along with some new protections for fans and performers.
“We have taken enhanced health and safety measures for our fans and staff, and are following all procedures set forth by the CDC and Commonwealth of Virginia,” says the Birchmere.
Billy Price closing jam with Bill Pollak and Bob Margolin at The Birchmere. (Photo by Bill Reckert.)
The management has posted the following new guidelines they say will be in place during “this Covid emergency” only:
1) There will be at $25 food & beverage minimum, plus a $5 Covid fee, for all patrons.
2) Doors will open at 6pm, at which time you will be escorted directly into the Music Hall to your seat. We are still general admission (no reserved seats), but we will be seating you, in order to make sure all social distancing guidelines are met.
3) A mask must be worn whenever you are not in your seat (i.e. bathroom or merchandise store).
4) Food & Beverage will be available as soon as you are seated.
5) No bar service and no congregating in the Flex Stage/bar area.
6) The show will begin at 7:30pm and end by 9pm, with only one set and no opening acts.
7) The store will be open for merchandise sales, but we will be limiting the number of people allowed in at a time.
8) Please note: An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is an extremely contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, senior citizens and guests with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable.
American R&B and blues musician, activist, author, actor and bandleader, Daryl Davis. (Photo: Daryl Davis)
Owner Gary Oelze, who founded the club in 1966, told NBC Washington that these are unprecedented times and he has “cancelled 90 to 100 shows and refunded between $200,000 and $300,000 in ticket sales” since closing in mid-March.
When asked about the $25 food minimum charge, Oelze also told NBC, “We’ve never had a minimum purchase requirement in 54 years. We considered charging for parking, but decided the minimum was better for customers.”
Scott Fallon and Gregg Park make up the interactive musical adventure known as The Free Flowing Musical Experience, Alexandria’s Legendary Acoustic Jam Band, who will be at The Birchmere on July 25. (Photo: FFME)
Tickets for all these shows are $15.00 (+$5.50 tax/facility fee) and are available at TheBirchmere Box Office ONLY. You can purchase them in advance or night of show.
The box office at the Birchmere will be open for in-person transactions only. Hours are limited to Wed – Sat, 4 pm – 7:30 pm. The management says phones will not be answered, and the store will remain closed.
All transactions will need to be by credit card unless the exact cash amount is rendered. If the transaction involves already purchased tickets, you must arrive with the tickets in hand.
Mary Wadland is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of The Zebra Press, founded by her in 2010. Originally from Delray Beach, Florida, Mary is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Hollins College in Roanoke, VA and has lived and worked in the Alexandria publishing community since 1987.
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