CINCINNATI — For the first time since the start of the pandemic, a popular live music series is returning to its stage, and organizers are hopeful it could be another step toward retuning to life as it was known before the coronavirus pandemic.

What You Need To Know

  • Party on the Purple has returned after a COVID-19 hiatus spanning longer than one year

  • Performers, organizers and fans are hopeful this is a step forward in the return to normal

  • A couple hundred patrons showed up on the first night

  • The Wednesday night concert series continues until Aug. 4

Party on the Purple, a Wednesday night concert series, kicked off its season on the Purple People Bridge between Newport and Cincinnati.  

For the performers, it’s a great day to be back on the stage. 

Celia Griffin, lead singer of Vinyl Countdown, said it’s been a gut-punch not being able to entertain during the past year. 

“For all the musicians and performers out there, COVID has really caused quite a hit in our lives,” Griffin said.

So being back on the stage really brings out the fire in the band.

Kerry Schall is the director of marketing for Party on the Purple. He said kicking off the season on Cinco de Mayo was a great feeling, one that leads him to be optimistic for the upcoming schedule.

“I think we’re the first big event in the city this year,” Shall said. “So it’s really a testing round for us to get out there and see how people are going to react. So far, we’ve had nothing but a positive experience with this.” 

Schall said no industry was hit harder during the pandemic than the live entertainment and festival business. 

He’s hoping it is the step forward folks in the industry and fans have been waiting for.

“It’s a great opportunity for a lot of people to get out,” Schall said. “And for the people that just come and enjoy the weather and the music and the food, people are ready.

Pandemic guidelines are still in place for this party, but the bridge technically falls under Kentucky’s laws so mask-wearing was not enforced, but signage was posted to be conscious of the risks associated with COVID-19. 

“We wanna make sure that people are being safe if they choose to do so, you know, with social distancing, wearing a mask, that type of thing,” Schall said. 

 

 

Griffin said she’s optimistic people will shake off the COVID-19 blues through live music. 

“Music is meant to bring everyone together and hopefully this is the start of the togetherness for all of us,” Griffin said.

Party on the Purple will continue every Wednesday through Aug. 4.