Count Basie Center for the Arts Announces Concert Series Launching In May

The Red Bank, N.J., venue has been continuing to host shows during the pandemic – including selling more than 30,000 tickets last summer – thanks to a set of COVID-19 safety protocols that will also be in effect for the Concerts On the Green series, which takes place at the Suneagles Golf Club in Eatontown, N.J.  

The series launches May 15 with a performance from Bobby Bandiera’s “Runnin’ Down A Dream: A Tribute to Tom Petty.” The initial lineup includes Brian Fallon, Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes, Citizen Cope, Max Weinberg, Bobby Bandiera, Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Dar Williams and Judy Collins. Count Basier Center For The Arts is also providing some laughs with shows by comedians Steve Treviño and Chris Distefano.

All tickets include a dining reservation, with service and seating beginning two hours prior to the concert. Dinner and drinks are sold separately – with a $20 minimum food/beverage purchase required. Tickets are sold in “Table For Two,” “Table For Four” and “Table For Six” configurations, with tables spaced six feet apart and the front row 12 feet from the performers. Other COVID-19 safety measures include requiring patrons to wear face masks when entering the venue, leaving one’s table to use the restroom or not actively eating / drinking. 

The March 29 announcement about the concert series notes that the protocols have been reviewed and endorsed by Hackensack Meridian Health’s Keeping America Safe Assist Program and that venue security will enforce ground rules, which follow current CDC and State of New Jersey guidelines for outdoor events and dining. More information about the safety measures and the dinner menu can be found at thebasie.org/green. 

“From the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Basie Center has been determined to keep alive its mission to inspire, educate and entertain,” Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts, said in a statement. 

“We’ve put that determination into action, selling more than 30,000 tickets outdoors last summer, and creating a set of health protocols and practices we’ve used for nearly 150 ticketed events since. We are looking forward to once again providing safe, socially-distanced ‘dinner and a show’ experiences at our Concerts on the Green series.

“We’re grateful to our partners at Suneagles Golf Club, who share with us the commitment that the arts are a vital ingredient in our collective return to normalcy.”

Recent reports submitted to Pollstar’s Boxoffice department for Count Basie Center for the Arts in include two performances of The Midtown Men on Dec. 17 that sold 300 tickets and grossed $18,000, and two shows for the “Annual Elvis Birthday Bash” Jan. 29-30 that sold 182 tickets and grossed $9,358.

Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, April 2 at 10 a.m. ET via Ticketmaster. Count Basie Center members will get first access to tickets via a presale. Check out the initial schedule below. More artists will be announced throughout the summer. 

Friday, May 14 / Saturday May 15                             Bobby Bandiera – Runnin’ Down A Dream: A Tribute to Tom Petty

Friday, May 21 / Saturday May 22                             Citizen Cope

Saturday May 29 / Sunday May 30                            Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes (Memorial Day weekend)

Thursday, June 3 / Friday, June 4                               Brian Fallon

Saturday, June 5                                                               Almost Queen

Thursday, June 10                                                            Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers

Saturday, June 12                                                             Get The Led Out

Wednesday, June 16                                                       Judy Collins

Thursday, June 17                                                            CSNSongs: Celebrating the Music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Friday, July 2                                                                       Brian Kirk & The Jirks: That 70’s Show

Friday, July 16 / Saturday July 17                                Max Weinberg’s Jukebox

Friday, July 23 / Saturday July 24                                Jorma Kaukonen (Hot Tuna)

Sunday, July 25                                                                  Marc Cohn

Friday, July 30                                                                    Dar Williams

Saturday, July 31                                                               comedian Steve Treviño

Sunday, August 1                                                              Destination Motown, starring the Soul Cruisers

Saturday, August 14                                                        comedian Chris Distefano

Thursday, August 26                                                        The Weight Band