As New Jersey heads into its second summer of the COVID-19 pandemic, a trend popular last year is back – drive-in concerts.
With live performance venues shut down, drive-in concerts were a way for New Jersey residents to view live concerts in a socially distant manner.
The Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown was the first major arts center in the Garden State to hold a drive-in concert, and will do so again this summer.
Ed Kirchdoerffer is general manager of MPAC. On Tuesday, the nonprofit announced six drive-in concerts to be performed at nearby Fosterfields Living Historical Farm. It was the site of last year's shows.
“And they were very popular and people loved them,” Kirchdoerffer says. “We want to be able to have that great experience again this summer."
The shows will take place from June until August. They include an array of pop and rock performances. The first show will take place June 17, with legendary New Jersey-based cover band The Nerds. Singer Jim Garcia says the band is getting back on stage more often once again, and enjoying it.
“Everybody said such nice things and mostly, ‘We’re so glad you’re back.’ We’re like, ‘We didn’t go anywhere,’” says Garcia. “Unfortunately, our entire industry got pulled out from under our feet. But we’re still here.”
MPAC is also presenting live indoor shows. But its 1,300-seat theater is limited to just 150 audience members under state COVID-19 guidelines.