The Center of Anna Maria Island is gearing up for a season of rock ’n’ roll concerts.
The plan calls for hosting outdoor events to abide by city and other pandemic guidelines.
Journey, Bad Company and Marshall Tucker are bands mentioned March 11 by center executive director Chris Culhane, who brought his plans to the Anna Maria city commission for consideration.
The four-concert series is again being fueled by the Manatee County Tourist Development Council with funds raised from the 5% bed tax on accommodations of six months or less, Culhane told The Islander March 12.
A Grass Roots concert that was scheduled for March 2020 and postponed due to the pandemic could be added to the 2021 lineup, he said.
The outdoor concerts would start April 23 at the center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
The plan calls for viewing pods, areas spaced 8-10 feet apart and able to accommodate as many as 10 people.
Culhane’s permit requested approval for attendance by up to 496 people.
Culhane said the grass would be marked with temporary paint to identify their boundaries, similar to a center event at city field in Holmes Beach last November.
The arrangement would allow people who are together to drop their face masks while in their pod, but they would be required to wear face masks outside of their space.
Culhane said center staff and volunteers would remind people to remain in their pods when not wearing face masks.
Commissioner Deanie Sebring asked Culhane if tickets would be sold for pods or individually.
Culhane said the details are being worked out with a ticket vendor.
Commissioner Jonathan Crane expressed concern that under Culhane’s leadership the center has “been sorely lacking in addressing the one vital concern which is the health and safety of the residents” throughout the pandemic.
Crane cited incidents when he was at the center and saw Culhane wearing a face mask around his chin, “like a Pennsylvania beard.”
“I don’t think in good conscience I can support any event run by an outfit that flaunts the city’s COVID protections. Now, if there were to be a firm commitment by you and your board that everybody who works there will honor the protections and guidelines to a T, I’d be more likely to consider it,” Crane said.
Culhane said he anticipated his board and staff would agree to Crane’s request.
The issue was not up for a vote by commissioners, but it is planned to be heard at their 6 p.m. Thursday, March 25, meeting at city hall.
Anna Maria City Hall is at 10005 Gulf Drive.
For more information, call the clerk’s office at 941-708-6130.