Summer of ’21 looks to be more fun

Last summer was a bummer for a lot of people because of the novel coronavirus pandemic prompting the cancellation of many festivals, concerts and other mass gatherings focused on entertainment. But we’re happy to report that the summer of 2021 looks brighter when it comes to these kind of community events and programs. For example, Mayfield Village is planning to bring back summer concerts to its outdoor amphitheater, known as The Grove.

Parks and Recreation Director Shane McAvinew said his department is “moving forward with caution” and currently has scheduled a lineup of Friday and Saturday night concerts that he hopes the public will be able to enjoy.

The season kicks off July 9 with tribute acts Simply Queen and FLESH & BLOOD, the Ultimate Poison Experience, and runs through Sept. 11, closing with symphonicrock group Cello Fury.

However, McAvinew explained that events at The Grove will look a bit different this year as organizers take into consideration safety and capacity factors amid the pandemic.

Concerts at The Grove are open to the public and do not require tickets, but officials will be keeping an eye on capacity.

The venue holds about 6,000 people when full due to its large, outdoor space. But McAvinew said the goal, for now, is to limit it to 25 percent capacity — around 1,500 people.

“If we can control the environment, then I think we’ll be successful,” he said.

Mayfield Village announced the schedule for 2021 summer concerts prior to Ohio lifting the COVID-19 mask mandate and all other remaining coronavirus health orders effective June 2. In response to the statewide directive, McAvinew said Mayfield Village will encourage, but not require, concert-goers to wear masks and maintain social distancing when outside the “pods” of family or friends that they arrive with.

McAvinew said he also will continue to monitor the Ohio Health Department’s weekly statistics on new cases of COVID-19 in Cuyahoga County. Based on those trends, Mayfield Village can make adjustments to attendance limits or COVID-19 prevention measures at the concerts, as needed.

Meanwhile, Perry Township has announced that its 2021 Summer Concert Series, which runs seven weeks, is slated to start July 7. The opening night act will be The Castaways Band, a group that specializes in ‘50s, ‘60s and Motown music.

Performances are scheduled from 7 to 9 p.m. each Wednesday from July 7 through Aug. 18. The season’s closing show will feature Vinyl Arcade, which plays tunes from the ‘70s and ‘80s, as well as TV themes and jukebox classics.

Admission is free, and guests are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs for the concerts at the park, which is located at the northern end of Perry Park Road.

Last year, Perry Township trustees called off the final four weeks of the 2020 concert series in response to a recommendation issued by the Lake County General Health District. In July, the district had advised all Lake County municipalities to postpone remaining community events involving mass gatherings because of an increase in the number of novel coronavirus cases in the county.

Prior to complying with the health district’s recommendation, township officials said the initial concerts in 2020 had gone well. People attending the performances were observing proper social distancing guidelines.

Along with more outdoor concerts, a local venue that hosts indoor plays is resuming performances this spring and summer.

Rabbit Run Theater in Madison Township announced that it’s getting ready to reopen its barn doors to theater patrons. The 2021 season is a summer of musicals opening with “Always ... Patsy Cline” on May 28, followed by “Daddy Long Legs” and closing with “The Marvelous Wonderettes.”

Initially, the theater will be operating at a 30 percent seating capacity, with the hope that more seats will become available as the summer progresses and the threat of COVID-19 continues to diminish.

It’s great to know that the upcoming summer will offer much more in the way of live entertainment events than the same period a year ago.

Clearly, those people who feel comfortable about going out into mass gatherings will have some great opportunities for summertime fun.