ROCKINGHAM — The August installment of the Plaza Jam summer concert series has been canceled.
City Events Coordinator Kim Williams announced the decision in an email and on social media Wednesday afternoon.
“Our community’s safety and well-being is our top priority,” she said. “We will announce details about the September concert in the coming weeks…until then, stay well.”
The Tonez were slated to play in August, with The Tams in September, and North Tower Band closing out the series in October.
The Tonez performed in May 2019, with part of the band walking out into the crowd while playing.
The city previously canceled the shows in May, June and July.
Mass gathering restrictions imposed by Gov. Roy Cooper in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic has led to the cancellations.
Cooper slightly eased restrictions on outdoor mass gatherings from 10 to 25 as part of his second phase of re-opening. Plaza Jam usually boasts a crowd of several hundred.
On Tuesday, Cooper announced that Phase 2, which was slated to expire on Friday, will be extended for another three weeks.
Craig Woolard and the Embers, who performed the show prior to Independence Day last year, were supposed to play again this July.
The Entertainers, who last performed at Plaza Jam in 2017, were slated to take the stage in Cole Plaza on June 4.
Gary Lowder and Smokin’ Hot were originally scheduled to open the 2020 season in May. Lowder is a former member of The Entertainers.
Restrictions have made things tough for musicians the past four months.
Some local musicians, in addition to “quaranstreaming,” have been able to line up small gigs in reopening restaurants.
But two of Richmond County’s main venues, Hudson Brothers Deli and Double Vision, have remained closed since St. Patrick’s Day.
