Vanilla Ice Cancels His Controversial Austin Concert

He had planned to play to 2,500 people while COVID-19 numbers surge in Texas

BY Josiah HughesPublished Jul 2, 2020

Would you risk your life to see Vanilla Ice perform a concert in the year 2020? That's the question some people will undoubtedly ask themselves when he plays a 2,500 capacity venue tomorrow.

According to the Austin Chronicle, Vanilla has found a loophole in Texas Governor Greg Abbott's executive order to close all bars over COVID-19 concerns — he's playing at a bar & grill, which is technically a restaurant.

The Emerald Point Bar & Grill is located on Lake Travis, and at least 51 percent of its sales are food, meaning it's allowed to operate.

Despite the concert taking place on July 3, it has been dubbed the Independence Day Throwback Beach Party, and its promoter told the Chronicle that its capacity will be 2,500 people, though the capacity of the venue is actually 5,000. On July 4, Color Me Badd are also scheduled to perform at Emerald Point.

UPDATE (7/2, 2 p.m. ET): Vanilla Ice has now cancelled the concert, saying he "didn't know the numbers were so crazy." Watch his cancellation video at the bottom of the page.

Speaking with TMZ, the Travis County Health Department's Jen Samp said, "This is not wise regardless of who is performing at any gathering right now. The best way to be nostalgic is by protecting your parents and grandparents and staying home."

Fans wanting to buy tickets are also met with this warning:

Important notice re COVID-19: Please note any interaction with the general public poses an elevated risk of being exposed to COVID-19 and we cannot guarantee that you will not be exposed while in attendance at the event. The event organizer is solely responsible for the health and safety of this event. We encourage you to follow the organizer's safety policies, as well as local laws and restrictions.

Still, Vanilla Ice really wants people to come:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Vanilla Ice (@vanillaiceofficial) on

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