Flagler County, FL – Don’t stand so close has taken on a whole new meaning in the past year, and entertainment venues are listening.
In addition to installing a state-of-the-art HVAC system over the holiday, the Flagler Auditorium is maximizing their space by socially distancing patrons in attendance for upcoming shows according to Flagler Auditorium director Amelia Fulmer.
Socially distanced seating allowed 250 guests to enjoy the 2021 Community Celebration Series season opener “Absolute Queen” on Friday night at the Flagler Auditorium in Palm Coast. January 29, 2021.
Saving the season by focusing, as so many others are, on local, Fulmer reached out with the help of the auditorium’s governing board, and expanded the use of the facility’s programming by making connections and getting creative.
Designing a series of community-based shows aptly named the 2021 Community Celebration Series, the lineup kicked off Friday evening with “Absolute Queen”, and a pre-show entertainment option that included the “Rock Your Business” showcase with members of the Palm Coast Business Professionals, on hand to meet and greet audiences on their way indoors.
“It is so incredibly exciting what’s going on right now,” said Palm Coast Business Professionals director Jay Scherr, who also serves as a member of the Flagler Auditorium’s governing board.

Atlantic Benefit Consultants broker Debra Sephton, Ver-E-Safe Solutions co-owner Diana Versek, business professional Jim Taylor and Palm Coast Business Professionals Director, Jay Scherr, owner of Jay Scherr Business Consulting, represent members of the business community during the 2021 Community Celebration Series kickoff at the Flagler Auditorium on Friday, January 29, 2021.
“The idea is to try to create opportunities for the community to come and see this amazing resource we have here. With Amelia’s leadership we’re trying to create local as well as some regional opportunities for concerts, meetings and the like to take advantage of what the auditorium has to offer,” he said.
Also in attendance, Flagler Technical College staff opened the pre-show entertainment with a big reveal of their new logo and mascot, and Joe Rizzo, executive director of the Flagler County Education Foundation shared insights about how the community can get involved.
“The exciting part about this is arts in education is so important to the community,” said Rizzo.
Flagler County Education Foundation staff members Student Services Coordinator Christy Butler, Operations & Database Specialist Shelley Wheeler and Executive Director reach new audiences by participating in the 2021 Community Celebration Series kickoff on Friday evening at the Flagler Auditorium in Palm Coast. January 29, 2021.
“When we can bring mentorship, continuing education and the ability to bring all the pieces together in one place, whether it’s individual businesses and entrepreneurship all the way to the people working with our kids in the K-12 system, it’s the community coming together that’s going to make the big impact, and that’s why we’re all here.”
Allowing only 250 tickets to be sold in the 1,000 seat venue, Fulmer says the pre-show lineups will vary with each scheduled performance and showcase organizations in the community while creating awareness for patrons who may not know about special projects, service organizations or Flagler’s deep history of arts and culture.
“Every show has a multi-media beginning, so when you get here and find your seat, you can’t really chat with your friends the way we used to gather, so what we do is start as soon as the house opens with videos or slides with something about the Flagler County community,” explained Fulmer.
Greeting patrons with a jazz quintet courtesy of Flagler Palm Coast High School associate band director Adam Rich on Friday night, Fulmer says the outdoor check-in and entertainment add an additional level of ease for show goers.
Flagler Auditorium Director Amelia Fulmer welcomes the socially distanced audience back to the performing arts center on Friday night for “Absolute Queen”, the first show in the 2021 Community Celebration Series. January 29, 2021.
“We hope to have these types of events before every show so that if someone is not comfortable coming into the theater yet, they can come to the outdoor event.”
The next performance in the Community Celebration Series is a “Tribute to Flagler Beach” with beachside favorites Capt. Nick, iconic 60’s band The Cherry Drops and the Flagler Beach Historical Museum, on February 27th, at 7:30 p.m.
The 2021 Community Celebration Series continues through April with Pat Benatar and Pink tribute performers, a Doo Wop Group and classic car show, and a Linda Cole and Friends alumni performance.
Note: A limited number of tickets are available for each performance.
For more information, visit www.flaglerauditorium.org.