The Murphy Arts District made two significant announcements today regarding the postponement of a concert featuring The Avett Brothers with special guest Tyler Childers and the re-opening of the MAD Farmers Market next week.
The Avett Brothers concert, originally scheduled for the MAD Amphitheater on Aug. 8, has been re-scheduled for Aug. 14, 2021. Tickets will be honored at the new date, according to a press release from MAD.
The press release says the postponement comes as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has led Gov. Asa Hutchinson to impose restrictions on large gatherings, including at outdoor venues like the MAD Amp. Hutchinson began lifting restrictions on May 4, but with a recent spike in cases over the last two weeks has said he is reconsidering his strategy for ‘Phase 2’ of reopening the state.
Ticket-holders who are unable to attend at the new concert date may apply for a refund through Sept. 3. One should contact [email protected] with their ticket confirmation number to do so. Refunds may take up to 10 business days to process.
Mailed tickets will be sent out on July 23, 2021 to the address on file with the purchase.
The is the latest in several cancelations or postponements MAD has announced since the COVID-19 pandemic made its way to Arkansas in March.
A Danny Gokey concert scheduled for April and a Michael Franti & Spearheads with special guests Seratones show scheduled for June 12 were canceled outright, while a Ron White stand-up comedy show planned for May was postponed to Dec. 17. Snoop Dogg, who was supposed to perform in El Dorado in April, will now headline MusicFest, scheduled for Oct. 3.
MAD also rescheduled their annual MAD Battle competition for local artists. Originally planned for July, the battle of the bands will now be held on Feb. 19 and 20, 2021. With the postponement comes the opportunity for local musicians to continue entering the competition through Nov. 20, 2020. Registration is $35 through Nov. 19 and $45 for entries submitted Nov. 20. Enter at eldomad.com/MADBattle. The grand prize is $2,500.
Thursday Night Live, a concert series presented in the Griffin Restaurant, has been postponed indefinitely due to the restaurant’s closure in light of the pandemic. The Southern Food and Wine Festival was also canceled this year.
MAD’s Chief Operating Officer Pam Griffin told the News-Times earlier this week MAD is looking to the state for guidance on re-starting concerts inside the Griffin.
“If requirements loosen to allow us to put a band on stage in the restaurant, 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,” she said.
The MAD Playscape remains closed to the public. MAD’s AstroZone art exhibit also closed earlier than planned, though MAD has continued to offer programming related to the exhibit through Facebook Live, along with weekly art lessons from artist and educator Gay Bechtelheimer.
MAD will sponsor the annual Summer Concert Series, albeit starting a month later than usual. The concert series, held in downtown El Dorado in conjunction with Main Street El Dorado, runs alongside Showdown at Sunset, a dramatization of the Parnell-Tucker feud that led to a deadly gunfight in downtown El Dorado in 1902, that has been a staple of El Dorado summers for over 20 years. It was anounced earlier this week that the Showdown is canceled for 2020.
MAD originally planned to hold the concert series inside the First Financial Music Hall, but Griffin said they are now considering whether to hold the shows indoors or outdoors in light of the pandemic. The Summer Concert Series shows are planned for July 25 and Aug. 22.
“We appreciate your ongoing understanding as we reschedule shows,” a press release from MAD reads. “Your continued support enables us to present world-renowned shows, culturally rich exhibits, and provide a great visitor experience for El Dorado and southern Arkansas.”
A second press release from MAD announced the re-opening of the MAD Farmers Market for next Saturday, June 13. In March, MAD announced that the Farmers Market would be closed for the duration of the 2020 season, but with social distancing guidelines in place, the ‘show’ will go on.
According to the press release, the Farmers Market will be open from 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday starting June 13 and continuing indefinitely. The release notes that MAD will continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and may expand or reduce the market’s hours or postpone or cancel it if the need arises. Updates will be posted on the MAD website and their social media pages.
So far, vendors include Honeyrock Handcrafts, Long’s Natural Farm, Mike Senn Family Farm and P&L Farm. More will be announced during the lead-up to each week’s market.
MAD has outlined the following health and safety measures that will be followed during the June markets:
-Customers are asked to enter the market at the northeast corner of Locust Avenue and Hill Street.
-Vendor tables will be spaced at least six feet apart to maintain social distancing.
-No music or any activity will be held that would encourage patrons to linger at the market.
-Patrons cannot touch produce before buying and bagging will be done by vendors only.
-The number of people allowed in the market at any one time will be controlled, and market management will make sure we can easily maintain social distancing at all times.
-No vendor will be allowed to set up if they show any obvious signs of illness.
-All tables will be sanitized before the market and appropriately throughout the market hours.
-We encourage any vendors and customers with underlying health issues to not attend the market.
-Face coverings (mask, bandana, other homemade covering which covers mouth and nose, etc.) must be worn at all times by vendors and patrons.
-Public restrooms will not be available.
-Credit/debit purchases are recommended, if using cash, no change will be provided.
-Customers are asked to exit at the far end of the market near the MAD Amp stage.
-Dogs will not be allowed at the June markets to encourage our customers to maintain social distancing.
-No groups allowed.
For more information, visit eldomad.com or see @eldomad on Instagram.