ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The St. Augustine Amphitheatre is slowly coming back to life, bringing music and performers back to its stage.
It’s been nearly a year since it was shut down due to the pandemic. But now, we’re seeing a glimmer of normalcy as the venue recently announced a series of socially distanced shows opening up this year.
The venue has made some enhancements to make it safer for guests and artists.
“It’s been a bit different as we have slowly and cautiously reopened,” said Dianya Markovits, the public relations and communications partnership manager at the St. Augustine Amp.
The Billy Strings concert set for this weekend is sold out. And earlier this year, the Amp celebrated its first show since the pandemic hit in January with JJ Grey and Mofro.
Normally, during the spring and summer months, the Amp would do about eight to 10 shows per month. But because of COVID-19 precautions, that’s changed.
“We have three to four events per month. Right now, May is looking very busy. We’re excited about that,” Markovits said.
There’s now a “contactless ticket entry” system, meaning guests can show their ticket on their cellphone and scan it. They’re then good to go.
Afterward, they’ll go through a thermal temperature check that can scan up to 20 people at a time.
At the concession stands when fans order food, they’ll do it through a mobile app so that they can pick it up when it’s their turn instead of waiting in line.
One of the other big changes guests will notice is the reduced capacity.
The venue is going from 4,700 guests per show to about 1,700.
Seating is spaced out 6 feet apart, and tickets are sold in pods, meaning groups of two, four or six.
“We have lockable seats now so that it’s easily identifiable whether or not if that’s your seat. You can’t pull it down if it’s locked,” Markovits said.
The Amp does have a couple of mask-free zones.
For example, when a guest gets to their seat, they can take their mask off, sit back and relax.
If you would like to learn more about the upcoming events at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, you can click HERE.
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Cox Media Group
