The Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank, has unveiled its second performance venue: The Vogel.
The Basie Center’s directors announced The Vogel would begin hosting performances in mid-October.
“The Vogel represents four years of imagining how a new performance space could complement our historic theater,” said Adam Philipson, president and CEO of the Count Basie Center for the Arts.
The Vogel is named for area philanthropists Anne and Sheldon Vogel in recognition of their support of the Count Basie Center for the Arts, according to a press release.
Sheldon Vogel, who worked for Atlantic Records, traveled the world and oversaw finances as the label signed artists such as Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Yes and the Manhattan Transfer, according to the press release.
“We spent our summer producing safe, socially distanced concert events at Monmouth Park, which provided invaluable experience on how to approach live events properly,” Philipson said, with a nod to restrictions that have been in place during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.
“We have a set of procedures in place and we know that when patrons feel safe, they will attend live performances. That said, we will be hosting audiences of 150 or so at The Vogel beginning in mid-October,” he said.
The Vogel is a nearly 20,000-square-foot performance space and is part of the Basie’s expansion that was completed earlier this year, according to the press release.
The balconied, two-level performance space will debut with strict social distancing measures in place:
• Initial shows will be seated, with tables sold in Table For Two, Table For Four and Table For Six configurations only;
• Tables will be positioned 6 feet apart, with the front row of tables 12 feet from the performers;
• Only 150 seats will be available for performances at this time;
• Drinks and concessions will be sold table-side (no lining up at bars);
• Patrons must wear a mask at all times while inside The Vogel, except while eating or drinking;
• Patrons will be required to remain seated, unless getting up to leave or use the restroom.
Although the performance space will be limited to seated, socially distanced events for the immediate future, The Vogel was built to accommodate standing and seated audiences, with the goal of hosting everything from cabaret style jazz performances to up-and-coming artists and comedians, according to the press release.
The Vogel will also host performances from Basie Center Academy students and students at the Basie’s Monmouth Conservatory of Music. When social distancing restrictions are lifted, The Vogel will be able to accommodate up to 800 persons standing.
The Vogel’s first performances will be announced shortly. For more information about the venue, visit www.thebasie.org