Coronavirus concerns, online criticism freeze Vanilla Ice show

“Due to the maximize in COVID-19 quantities in Austin we’re gonna shift the live performance to a superior day,” Vanilla Ice tweeted.

“We ended up hoping for superior Coronavirus quantities by July but Sadly the quantities have increased very a little bit so for the security and wellness of everybody we’re going to keep property.”

Barrett Brannam, who owns the venue where Vanilla Ice experienced been scheduled to enjoy, explained the star — genuine identify Robert Van Winkle — experienced expressed concern about the wellness of his admirers and himself. Brannam explained he didn’t know when the exhibit would be rescheduled.

“Challenging to say. Could be later this summer or not right until following summer. We do not now how very long this virus will be around,” he explained.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott very last 7 days shut down bars and clubs in an effort to halt what he called a “substantial distribute” of the coronavirus. But the Emerald Place Bar & Grill is continue to open and hosting dwell new music simply because it is a restaurant and performances can acquire position outdoors.

I am the most hated human being on the planet suitable now around a Vanilla Ice exhibit.​​​​​​– Barrett Brannam, Emerald Place Bar & Grill owner

The Vanilla Ice exhibit drew popular interest — and criticism — when the rapper posted about it on social media Wednesday. Only 84 tickets experienced been sold prior to the on the internet ticket broker suspended profits, Brannam explained.

“I acquire the coronavirus serious. But we cannot dwell in a bubble,” the rapper tweeted prior to cancelling Thursday. “I assume at this issue we all have an understanding of the severity of it. (P)ractice social distancing and dress in a mask. This is an outdoors venue, Fourth of July on the lake with fireworks. Plenty of room for distancing.”

The rapper’s management organization didn’t right away respond to messages trying to get remark.

Brannam explained he hadn’t come beneath any tension to cancel the exhibit from condition or neighborhood governments but he has been swamped with calls of complaints. The performer performed the identical venue very last year in front of 1,800 people and is booked for the getaway weekend for the following two decades, Brannam explained. Friday’s live performance was booked in 2019, he explained.

“I didn’t know about COVID when I booked this exhibit. No one did,” Brannam explained.

He included that the rapper experienced fully commited to asking admirers to dress in masks and observe suitable social distancing rules. The venue was going to be checking patrons’ temperatures at the entrance and supplying a mask to everyone who required one particular, he explained.

The restaurant has been hosting dwell new music performances considering that it reopened in Might. Brannam explained no one particular complained right until it was a Vanilla Ice live performance. He also said he postponed future concerts by Coolio and Tone Loc for following weekend simply because he would not reduce revenue.

“Vanilla Ice, he’s poised for people to poke enjoyment at. No one was expressing nearly anything right until he produced his submit. That’s when every thing went nuts,” Brannam explained.

“I am the most hated human being on the planet suitable now around a Vanilla Ice exhibit.”