By June 9, 2020 (updated)
Abari Game Bar, in partnership with Hattie’s Tap & Tavern, Tommy’s Pub, and Four Finger Records, will be hosting the Queen City Telethon, a rooftop drive-in concert this Saturday, June 13 from 3:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Scheduled to perform at this unique first-time event are Charlotte’s SOLIS, Petrov, and Sinners & Saints. In addition to the show, there will be a $10 raffle with prizes including a Nintendo Switch, exclusive Abari open bar experience, and more to be announced. The performances will also be broadcast live on Facebook and Twitch, with proceeds benefiting the three bars and the artists.
Performing live from the roof of NoDa Deli, directly out to the parking lot, audio from the performances will be able to reach a 1,000 ft radius with an FM transmission available for each car. 35 cars will be allowed into the Abari parking lot to see the show, and it’s recommended that you stay inside the car during the show to practice social distancing. Noda Deli will be open during the show if you would like food, drinks, or need to use the restroom. Alcohol isn’t permitted during the show, but if you do drink, please be safe and responsible.
The event comes as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced businesses to get creative in staying open. “I feel like the landscape for any small business owner is completely weird,” said Zach Pulliam, owner of Abari Game Bar, “trying to find something that’s fun and can still engage with your customers is hard.”
Pulliam and his bar manager James Murphy met with Hattie’s Tap and Tavern owner Jackie DeLoach, along with Jeremy Smith and Leo Solis, co-owners of local record label Four Finger Records. Tommy’s Pub was later included as the fourth beneficiary, and the mutual parties decided upon a drive-in concert event.
If successful, Pulliam is open to trying similar events like the Queen City Telethon drive-in concert in the future.
“When I first opened Abari, I always wanted to do a lot of music stuff…it just kind of became impossible after a while. But now that we’re kind of in this weird area, I think new opportunities like this are gonna be something that we’re gonna keep trying and if they are successful, try them again.”
For tickets ($40 per car) and donation info visit QCTelethon.com. Check out the official Facebook event page for more updates and details. 20% of the proceeds will also go to the NAACP Charlotte-Mecklenburg Branch.
Read next:
