Count Basie Center for The Arts Announces New Concert Venue

The Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank finally unveiled its new concert venue-The Vogel–this morning (Sept. 29).

The Vogel is set to begin hosting performances with 150 or more patrons in attendance in mid-October, says Basie President and CEO Adam Philipson.

The venue is named for Atlantic Records executive and area philanthropist Sheldon Vogel and his wife Anne, in recognition of their support of the Count Basie Center for the Arts

“The Vogel represents four years of imagining how a new performance space could complement our historic theater,” he said in a statement. “

The venue was originally slated to open in June, but was tabled due to the pandemic. Although originally intended to accommodate standing audiences, performances for now will be seated and socially distanced, much like Basie’s recent series of outdoor event–including Drive-In Live at Monmouth Racetrack with headliners Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes and, more recently, Concerts in the Garden at Blu Grotto in Oceanport with comedian Kevin Hart and musical acts Max Weinberg’s Jukebox and Best of the Eagles.

“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. “We have a set of procedures in place, and we know that when patrons feel safe, they’ll attend live performances. That said, we’ll be hosting audiences of 150 or so
patrons at The Vogel beginning in mid-October.”

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’ apart, with the front row of tables 12’ from the performers.
• Only 150 seats will be available for performances at this time.
• Drinks and concessions will be sold tableside; i.e.: no lining up at bars.
• Patrons must wear masks at all times while inside The Vogel, with exception to eating or drinking.
• Patrons will be expected to abide by social distancing norms while attending events at The Vogel.
• Temperatures will be taken at the door. Patrons with a body temperature of 100.4 or higher will not be
permitted to enter. A refund will be issued.
• Fans must remain seated at their purchased table.
• For nights with two shows, entry for the second show will begin once the previous crowd is cleared and the
venue is cleaned / sanitized.
• Restrooms will be limited to two (2) patrons at a time.
• Tables will not be permitted to be split and resold. Patrons holding resold tickets will be denied entry and
refunds will not be offered.
• Events at The Vogel will utilize Ticketmaster’s touch-less, mobile entry system. No paper tickets will be
accepted.
• Patrons will be required to remain seated, unless getting up to leave or use restrooms.
• Venue security will enforce ground rules, which will follow current CDC and State of New Jersey guidelines for indoor events.

The Basie Center will be working with Hackensack Meridian Health’s Reopening America Assist Program, which will host performances from Basie Center Academy students and students at the Basie’s Monmouth
Conservatory of Music. Post-COVID, The Vogel can accommodate up to 800 persons standing.

The Vogel’s first performances will be announced shortly. For more on the venue, visit www.thebasie.org.