Concerts at Moon drive-in to benefit Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

With many summer activities canceled due to the covid-19 pandemic, people might have to travel to the moon to experience live music.

Promoters Drusky Entertainment and Rich Engler made that possible by presenting benefit shows for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank in Moon Township. The Clarks are set to perform there June 26 and 27 at Dependable Drive-In, 549 Moon Clinton Road.

Pittsburgh rockers Gene the Werewolf will open the first show, and the Hawkeyes are set to start the second night of songs. Doors open at 6 p.m. with shows starting at 8 both nights.

Gene the Werewolf frontman Jon Belan and guitarist Drew Donegan are excited to see fans again.

“I think people are looking for a night out,” Donegan said. “Over the weekend, I noticed my neighborhood bars and restaurants were packed. So there’s clearly a yearning for socialization. Additionally, as crazy as it sounds, this might be the only concert to happen for the rest of the year, so I think folks will be out in full force.”

A variety of safety measures will be in place such as wearing masks when outside of vehicles, as well as mandatory trunk checks and staying at least six feet away from people at the concession stands.

Other procedures and ticket information are outlined at druskyentertainment.com.

Playing at a drive-in is new territory for Belan, who hopes people have a fun and safe experience.

“It is certainly a different time in the world right now, and the new norm is to social distance and wear masks,” Belan said. “I think if we were about to play a show in a large capacity indoor venue, we might have different opinions, but playing at an outdoor drive-in theater where people are in their cars is about as safe as you can get in a public place. Not to mention a cool new experience that will be a first for us.

“I’m sure that there are still those people who are being cautious. I can’t blame them, but for those about to rock … we salute you.”

Drive-ins were a big part of life when some of the werewolves were cubs.

Donegan said some of his extended family members owned the former Greater Pittsburgh Drive-In in North Versailles. That place opened in May 1954 and closed at the end of the 1997 season. Walmart now occupies that site.

“I spent a lot of time there as a kid,” the guitarist said. “Never in a million years did I ever dream of performing at one. Thus, this should be one for the record books and one we all never forget. Perhaps a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience.”

General admission is $100 and includes up to four people per car. VIP tickets are $130 and allow access to the first five rows in front of the stage. A portion of the proceeds benefit the food bank, which has had multiple drive-up distributions this year.

”As a society, we are amidst a very trying time, so it’s great to do our little part to contribute to the greater good.” Donegan said.

Fans may be treated to some new material at the show.

Belan said his band spent most of the colder months writing new music via Zoom meetings. He also participated in 102.5 FM WDVE’s “Stayin’ Home N’ at.”

Host Chad Tyson live streamed discussions and performances with artists via the radio station’s Facebook page.

“It was kind of fortunate that the time we had off was during the colder months because I cant stand the cold weather,” Belan said. “Nothing beats playing live though, I think I can speak for all of us when I say that we cant wait to play again.”