Installing UV-C germicidal lighting in HVAC systems in preparation
Huntsville, Ala. (June 14, 2021) – The Von Braun Center (VBC) will host its first full-capacity concert since March 13, 2020 with a sold-out Ashley McBryde concert in the VBC’s Mars Music Hall on Friday, June 18, 2021, and is installing UV-C germicidal lighting in the HVAC systems in preparation.
Originally scheduled for March 27, 2020, this general admission show rescheduled three times (October 7, 2020; to March 6, 2021; and finally, June 18, 2021) due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.
“Since 2019, we’ve anticipated this concert with Ashley McBryde and I’m thrilled – not only for our staff at the VBC, but for the fans who have all waited so patiently to be able to come together in Mars Music Hall once again,” remarked VBC Executive Director Steve Maples. “The health and safety of our staff and guests have always been our top priority and we appreciate everyone’s support and understanding throughout the last year and three months as we worked towards safely re-opening to a sold-out indoor show.”
Following the expiration of Alabama’s statewide Mask Mandate on April 9 and Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle’s Face Covering Protocols for City Premises on May 17, the Von Braun Center is no longer requiring guests to wear face masks while visiting the facility (unless otherwise requested by artist management or a lessee). If an artist or a lessee requires masking for their attendees and staff, the VBC will enforce their request. The VBC will continue keeping face masks available at security checkpoints for those who fail to bring their own facial covering to events where they are required.
For social distancing and seating capacity, many events are now going on-sale at full-capacity; while other shows are maintaining socially-distanced Pod seating in groups of 2, 4, and 6. Like facial coverings, the VBC will honor the artist or the lessee’s request for their specific event’s seating setup. To find out what the seating setup is for a particular show, visit vonbrauncenter.com, search for the event you are interested in, and click on the “Get Tickets” button to see the seating map.
“Our calendar is filling up quickly with newly announced shows and shows that were rescheduled from 2020,” continued Maples. “From family shows, comedy acts, country music, rap and everything in-between, we already have something booked to fit everyone’s preference. I’m particularly excited to bring touring shows back into our new Mars Music Hall since it had a record-breaking first two and half months of being open before the pandemic began and touring shows were grounded.”
Ahead of the Ashley McBryde concert in Mars Music Hall, the VBC is ensuring the facility is as clean and safe as possible by replacing existing air filters with higher efficiency HEPA MERV 13 rated filters, and installing UV-C germicidal lighting inside the music hall’s HVAC systems to assist in disinfection and improve air quality.
“We’re always looking for different ways to enhance our facility,” remarked VBC Director of Operations Johnny Hunkapiller. “We partnered with TVA and Huntsville Utilities in December of 2020 to install the same system in our restaurant, Rhythm on Monroe, and we’re proud to now continue the project on our own in Mars Music Hall and add this extra layer of safety for concert attendees.”
The UV-C light is a short wavelength ultraviolet light used around the world to disinfect air in hospitals and laboratories by inactivating microorganisms and is ideal for restaurants and other public facilities in helping maintain a healthy environment.
In addition to air purification through the HVAC systems, the VBC continues taking precautionary measures to maintain and monitor building cleanliness for guests and employees through increased cleaning and sanitizing procedures. Additionally, signage and speaker announcements are in place to help remind guests of everyday precautions, along with sanitizing stations.
All individuals planning to visit the VBC (including patrons and personnel) are encouraged to stay home if feeling sick.
For more information about the VBC and to see all upcoming shows and events, visit www.vonbrauncenter.com.
About Von Braun Center
The Von Braun Center is a multi-purpose facility located in downtown Huntsville, Alabama. The VBC offers multiple venues for presenting cultural, educational, entertainment, sporting and social events. Venue spaces include the Propst Arena, Mark C. Smith Concert Hall, Mars Music Hall, North Hall, South Hall, and East Hall. Additionally, the VBC has an on-site full-service restaurant and rooftop bar – Rhythm on Monroe. With over 170,000 square feet of flexible meeting space the VBC is able to accommodate events of all types and sizes.
About Mars Music Hall
Mars Music Hall changed the landscape of the music scene in Huntsville when it first opened in January 2020. With its open-floor plan and balcony overlooking an oversized stage, the intimate setting offers great acoustics for a variety of events ranging from concerts to comedy acts and everything in-between. Between opening on January 3, 2020 with a sold-out show by Jason Isbell and the final show on March 13, 2020 before closing for COVID-19, the VBC’s Mars Music Hall held 22 concerts with nine of those shows selling out.
