Evenings at Elings brings spacious, outdoor concerts to new Santa Barbara venue
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - With live events ramping up, concert promoters are working to keep the shows on their schedule during a time of rising COVID concerns.
The Evenings at Elings concert series is newer to the venue list in Santa Barbara.
"The last Evenings at Elings was nothing short of magic. It was kids running crazy, families, picnic blankets, beach balls,  kites and phenomenal Reggae music," said Elings Park Executive Director Dean Noble.
The location is a very large field that provides the crowd with room to spread out. It will still have a good view of the stage. Guests will hear the sounds and enjoy the evening show.
On Friday night, the headliner will be Grammy Award Winning Reggae Legend Mykal Rose. Also appearing will be Santa Barbara's King Zero and Ventura's Free Love Project.
The shows are family friendly with an adult ticket price of $25 and children 12 and under are free. Those attending are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs.
Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and the music starts at 5:30 p.m.
Food trucks and beverages are on site.
The promoter Andres Nuno with En Fuego events says he will follow CDC and Santa Barbara County Health rules for the event, but there will be no special requirements will be in place for the public, such as showing a vaccination card or recent test results. The location has a vast footprint and no problems were reported from a previous show.
"We want it to feel like it is very back yardish," said Nuno.
Ticket sales will cap out at 1500, but he says there's plenty of room
"You wouldn't think there's 1500 people on this field," he said while walking the site. At the last show, "you looked around and said 'wow there's a lot of extra space out here'. We didn't utilize the field like we could and this time we are going to do that."
He says some people come as early as possible to get their spot and start enjoying the evening.
"Pick your spot, have fun and if you want to dance there will be a space to dance and it will be out of the way, " said Nuno. He pointed out a rise in the field layout which works in with their viewing plan. "Up above or down below you can see a perfect view of the stage and you can sprawl out with your family and friends and create your own little zone."
The site will have restrooms and security in several areas.
There is a $10. parking fee for guests coming by car. The organizers are encouraging people to take an Uber or Lyft, get a ride, or ride a bike.
For Elings park this is part of a big-picture plan going forward. "We have plenty of room at Elings, at 230 acres it's more than two times the size of Disneyland," said Noble. "Our goal is what Central Park is to New York, Elings park should be for Santa Barbara. So keep and eye out for Shakespeare, we have had the Opera here and Evenings at Elings is just another success story for the park."
Among the uses in place include a dog park, sports fields, a BMX track, a Veterans walk, summer camps and a wedding venue.
Elings Park is on Las Positas Road, near Cliff Drive.
