Between the COVID-19 pandemic, the final liquidation of Sears and the pending closure of Lord &Taylor, 2020 has been a brutal year for the Rockaway Townsquare Mall.
But for at least two days next month, the mostly empty parking lots there should be filled with cars, cheering fans and the electric sounds of live classic rock music from two popular bands.
The Mayo Performing Arts Center announced it will move its outdoor drive-in concert series to an open parking lot at the mall for unprecedented dates with Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes on Oct. 9 and Almost Queen on Oct. 10.
Tickets for legendary Jersey Shore favorite Southside Johnny range from $100-$225 per car. Tickets for Almost Queen, a tribute band with a national following, range from $99-$199 per car.
All proceeds will benefit pandemic-related recovery efforts at the nonprofit MPAC. Tickets for both events go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.
The concerts will be staged at the mall to take advantage of larger, lighted parking. Patrons will be asked to remain in their vehicles during the event.
MPAC became the first major New Jersey venue to present drive-in concerts over the summer with a sold-out performance by John Ginty & Friends on June 25 at Fosterfields Living Historical Farm in Morris Township.
“They were well-received and everyone had a great time,” MPAC President and CEO Allison Larena said.
The drive-in concert series at Fosterfields continues with the Sensational Soul Cruisers on Tuesday and Manhattan Comedy Night on Thursday.
The concerts are part of MPAC’s newly announced fall lineup, which includes socially distanced concerts for up to 150 patrons. They kick off Oct 2 with local favorites Jerry Vezza, Grover Kemble and Brynn Stanley. Future events include The Nerds (Oct. 16) and The Ultimate Donna Summer Tribute (Oct. 24).
Positive notes:COVID can’t stop the music: NJ students mask-up instruments to practice together safely
Public service:Get into ‘good trouble’ with this online John Lewis documentary, tribute
William Westhoven is a local reporter for DailyRecord.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Email: wwesthoven@dailyrecord.com Twitter: @wwesthoven