CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Starting next Friday August 20, The Evening Muse in NoDa will require more than just a ticket to get in the door. They're asking performers and patrons to show a vaccine card or recent negative COVID-19 test upon entry.
“We just want to go out there and do what’s best for our staff, our guests, our artists and everything and this is the only way that we see that live music and live entertainment can continue,” Joe Kuhlmann, the owner of The Evening Muse.
A few weeks ago, they put a mask mandate into effect too, doing what they feel is necessary to keep the doors open and the acts on stage.
“One of the principal elements of live music is that close togetherness with the audience,” Kuhlmann said. “It’s not like that when you’re at a grocery store or when you're at Home Depot or when you're out and about at other businesses where you can socially distance,” he said.
Just around the corner, the Neighborhood Theatre in NoDa is requiring the same.
To remove a mask at the Visulite Theatre in Elizabeth, proof of vaccination must be shown.
It's becoming a trend nationwide. After a test run at Lollapalooza, the CEO of Live Nation said the vaccine will now be the ticket in. Starting in October, they'll require artists and fans to show proof of vaccination or a negative test. In Charlotte that includes at the PNC Music Pavilion, Fillmore and Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheatre.
It’s a step towards a safer live experience.
“We all need to do our part in order to bring these numbers down. We all need to do our part so we can ease the load on hospitals and doctors and nurses, the whole medical field. We need to do our part in order to keep all these businesses up and going and hopefully one day thriving again,” Kuhlmann said.
Those who purchased tickets for The Evening Muse and aren't comfortable with the new requirement may request a refund by Tuesday, Aug. 31 by email to tickets@eveningmuse.com.
The Neighborhood Theatre will also give refunds.