Vague reopening rules jeopardize launch of Rock the Park patio series
Preparations for this summer’s modified Rock the Park concert series are in limbo after a call from the Middlesex-London Health Unit (MLHU).
Jones Entertainment Group has sold tickets for 16 events in a field next to Crossings Pub on Hyde Park Road starting July 2.
The grassy field will transform into a patio with 100 seats around physically distanced tables.
Each event will feature a different musical act on a nearby stage including Tim Hicks (July 2,3), The Reklaws (July 16,17) and The Trews (July 21-24).
But the future of the patio series has been thrown into uncertainty.
The health unit advised Jones on Monday that patio rules under the provincial reopening plan do not permit musical performances.
“We’ve got all of our permits and waivers (from city hall), explains Brad Jones. “To have them (MLHU) say no live music, but that karaoke is okay, that’s where I scratch my head.”
Ontario is currently in Step One, but could enter Step Two in time for the first performance.
The health unit points out, however, step two only permits karaoke on patios.
Alternatively, reclassifying the event as ‘outdoor entertainment’ provides little clarity at this time.
In a statement MLHU writes, “Once in Step 2, outdoor live music will be permitted with limits… (however) the Province has not provided details with regards to the capacity limits for outdoor live music performances.”
MLHU Road to Rock the Park statement
MLHU Road to Rock the Park statement
“Saying it’s just the rules as we interpret the vague rules, is b.s.,” says lawyer Phillip Millar who’s law firm is among the event’s sponsors. “And it’s time for people to step up and make the changes to start getting back to normal.”
Jones argues that his patio series is more than just entertainment for pandemic-weary Londoners, it’s a jumpstart for the live entertainment industry.
He’s hoping a provincial announcement in the coming days will offer details of Step Two rules, including the ability to hold the patio concert series.
“I don’t want to call this a karaoke series, I think it’s disrespectful to the world class artists,” Jones adds. “We just want to say Ontario government and health unit, let’s work together.”
Millar is pressing the provincial government to step in.
“There’s a huge role the province could play. To say we’re adopting the science that says outdoor activities organized like this pose no health risk.”
The Rock the Park patio series remains scheduled to start on July 2.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.