WESTFIELD – The Westfield Concert Series Powered by Westfield Gas and Electric was given the thumbs-up to go carless by Health Director Joseph Rouse following Gov. Baker’s lifting of COVID-19 mandates and the June 15 expiration of the state of emergency.
The series includes four live, in-person concerts that were originally designed drive-in style. Attendees were originally going to have a car pod assigned where they would be allowed to sit outside their vehicles within the pod. Now, organizers Jason Polan and Jay Pagluica are happy to announce the concerts will go back to “normal.”
“We are thrilled that we no longer need vehicles to keep people safe,” said Polan. “Depending on the ticket section that our guests purchase, that entire section will be general admission. So, if you purchased an up front (or green) ticket, you’ll be between 20-75 feet of the stage. The exact location within that section is first come, first serve. The same goes for all three of our ticket sections. It’s the same plan as before, except without having vehicles and aisles for vehicles, we’re able to move everyone much closer to the stage and there won’t be any obstructed site lines either.”
The Westfield Concert Series Powered by Westfield Gas and Electric includes 33 1/3 Live’s Killer Queen Experience on July 24, The Big 80s Dance Party with Kategory 5 on Aug. 28, Jingo Santana Tribute on Sept. 25 and Rewind to Vinyl, with songs from the 60s-90s, closing out the series Oct. 16. The shows will take place at the Westfield Boys and Girls Club field.
Polan said when attendees arrive, someone will scan tickets and show them which section to sit in. There will also be signage on site and color coded barriers to make it easy for guests.
“Though we are removing vehicles and PODs, Jay and I are committed to being responsibly distant. We have hired an engineer to help and make sure that we limit our ticket capacity, giving people plenty of space to enjoy the show,” said Polan. “We know that COVID isn’t over, so its important that if someone wants/needs to still social distance, they can do so. We are not planning on packing anyone in! As a parent of two young kids who can’t yet be vaccinated, I know this is important.”
Polan said people have been waiting a return to something that feels normal and want to experience music live.
“It’s clear to us that this is a change that people were craving,” he said. “After posting the announcement about ‘ditching the cars’ on social media, we saw a 500% spike in website traffic and an increase in ticket sales. While we still have plenty of space left for all three shows, we’d encourage folks to buy tickets early as our front row seats seem to be moving the fastest,” he said.
The Westfield concerts will benefit both Westfield on Weekends (WOW) and the Westfield Kiwanis Club. Pagluica and his wife Marion are members of the Westfield Kiwanis Club and he is a former president of WOW, while Polan is currently a WOW board member.
“While Jay and I are funding this in full privately, when there are proceeds, they will go back to nonprofits,” said Polan. “Kiwanis is receiving proceeds from our second show and WOW will be receiving proceeds from the other three.”
Pagluica also wanted to give back.
“Just as we are supporting the Southwick Civic Fund with the drive-ins at The Wick, when Jason and I talked of adding concerts in Westfield, the first question was, ‘Who could we benefit?’,” said Pagluica. “Westfield on Weekends and Kiwanis were the obvious choices due to our respective involvement.”
The concerts will include refreshments for sale from local vendors. The Rotary Club of Westfield will sell hot dogs and XXX Moolicious Ice Cream will be on site with its “Scoop Truck.”XXXXX
Details and ticket prices for the Westfield Concert Series Powered by Westfield Gas and Electric are available at Westfieldlivemusic.com. Tickets will go on sale in May for the first show. Prices begin at $25 dollars per ticket for adults with an ability to upgrade to a closer spot. Polan and Pagluica want this to be a family show and offer children’s tickets at $15 and under 2 is free.
On Site Sponsors are Westfield Gas and Electric and New Horizon Home Improvement.
There will be vendors selling food, including Moolicious and Wickedley Wild Waffles food trucks, as well as the Westfield Rotary Club hot dogs. The Boys and Girls club will have some some very special opening acts. Non Profit Partners include Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club and Westfield on Weekends.
