Summer events will go on in this year El Dorado, just not as originally planned.
The Main Street El Dorado board of directors and the Murphy Arts District have made a decision on how they are going to proceed with the Summer Concert Series and other related events.
Beth Brumley said Showdown at Sunset — the historical re-enactment of a deadly gunfight that took place on the streets of El Dorado in 1902 and the companion piece to the SCS — has been canceled for 2020.
This is the first summer the re-enactment will not be staged in downtown El Dorado since it began more than two decades ago.
With COVID-19 restrictions in place and an actor and producer/script-writer moving away from El Dorado, Brumley said it was difficult to plan and get the cast and production crew together to rehearse for Showdown this year.
The SCS and Grill Wars are set for July 25 and August 22. Summer events for June have been scrapped, Brumley said.
The annual events are typically held the fourth Saturday in June, July and August but the 2020 schedule was modified due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brumley said MSE’s decision was based on the phased reopening of outdoor entertainment venues and businesses that have been closed in Arkansas because of the public health crisis.
“We’re waiting on the governor to open up a few more things (live music and festivals) and to see how other events are going around the state. We are full steam ahead for July. We’ll do a steak cook-off for Grill Wars,” Brumley said.
To fill in the void for Showdown, Brumley said there will be live music on the downtown square during the day, leading to the SCS in the evening. Showdown and other activities, including previews of the summer productions at the South Arkansas Arts Center, usually precede the concert and headlining acts.
“In July, we probably won’t put the bleachers out and we’ll probably recommend that people bring their own chairs and practice social distancing. We’ll probably have some hand sanitizer and some markers (for social distancing) out there,” she said.
Brumley noted the June 1 reopening of Magic Springs Theme and Water park in Hot Springs. The park has its own Summer Concert Series, with shows starting June 13 and scheduled through August.
Pam Griffin — chief operating officer and president for MAD, who partners with MSE to plan the concert side of summer of events — said acts have been booked for July and August and announcements are forthcoming.
Like Main Street, MAD is also monitoring developments as they pertain to COVID-19 and awaiting direction from state officials about large outdoor gatherings.
Griffin said MAD officials have not yet decided if the SCS for June and August will be held indoors or outdoors, noting that initial plans were to hold the concerts in the First Financial Music Hall.
MSE and MAD groups have canceled events that were scheduled for the spring and summer and are considering the outlook for 2021.
Griffin said MAD is also looking to the state for information on live music inside restaurants. The Griffin Restaurant is part of the MAD entertainment complex.
“If requirements loosen to allow us to put a band onstage in the restaurant, then we’ll open the restaurant. We’d rather wait longer and be safe and know that when we open, our staff, our customers and the artists are safe,” Griffin said.
The groups are also monitoring another local, outdoor live-music event that is scheduled this month.
Tickets are on sale for the 19th annual Soul Fest, which is set for June 13 at the Union County Fairgrounds. The show is presented by Mr. Mike’s Productions.
Gates open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. with a jam-packed roster of blues, southern soul and R&B performers.
Headliners are Bigg Robb, Jeter Jones and J-Woww, all popular names on the blues and southern soul circuit.
Joining the trio on the Soul Fest stage will be plenty of other well-known regional acts, including R&B Pooh, Wild Cowboy, P2K, Blues Boy Bo, West Dawn and DJ Big Daddy In Da Mixx.
Michael Jackson, of Mr. Mike’s Productions, said advance ticket sales are going well, news that he hoped for when he decided earlier this year to move forward with Soul Fest, which draws an average of 2,000 - 2,500 people to the fairgrounds each year.
“People want to get out and this will give them something to do,” Jackson previously said.
For the show, Jackson said he will adhere to safety guidelines for COVID-19.
Tickets are $25 until Sunday, after which they will go up to $30. Admission will be $35 at the gate.
Tickets may be purchased at Mr. Mike’s Music and Artwork, 1309 E. Hillsboro; Special Touch in Camden; JB’s in Crossett; Golden Girls in Warren; Record Rack in Pine Bluff; Ugly Mike’s in Little Rock; and Golden Lady, Texarkana.
In Louisiana, tickets are available at Copy Cats Printing (Ruston) and LBK’s (Farmerville).
For more information, call Jackson at 870-866-7441.