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Board limits'Girls Night Out' event after legal review; orders entertainers restricted to stage, four-performers limit
Summary
After hearing details about two ticketed "Girls Night Out" events and conducting a closed-session legal review, the board required entertainers be limited to four, remain on stage and avoid mingling with patrons; applicants must follow the Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Act provision on contact and touching.
The Worcester County Board of License Commissioners reviewed a proposed ticketed "Girls Night Out" event at Oak at the Globe and, after a closed-session legal consultation, required the promoter and licensee to restrict entertainers to the stage, limit performers to four and prohibit mingling with patrons.
Attorney Thomas Maroon and applicant Jason Welch told the board they planned a comedic/theatrical dance show marketed to adults and promoted through Eventbrite; the promoter handled ticket sales and the applicants said total event-related revenue was about $30,000 for the dates in question. Promoter packages and VIP options were discussed; testimony said ticket prices and VIP packages ranged roughly between $14 and $38 for some items, and that some VIP options place purchasers closer to the stage.
Board members flagged county licensing rules and a state statutory provision the transcript identified as section 4-605 of the Alcohol Beverage and Cannabis Act, which the board said addresses performer-patron contact and touching. Commissioners and staff expressed concern that performers not mingle in ways that could create prohibited contact. The board advised that restricting entertainers to the stage was the simplest compliance approach.
The board temporarily closed the public hearing for legal advice under its closed-session authority (cited as Article section 3-305(b)(7) in the public record). After the closed session the hearing was reopened and commissioners said no further formal action was necessary if the licensee and promoter commit to four performers, stage-only performance and no mingling with patrons. The transcript records the board's expectation that the event follow county and state rules; the hearing was closed with that direction.
The board did not record a roll-call vote in the public transcript; commissioners instructed staff and the applicant to ensure all applicable license conditions, TAM certification and supervision measures are in place for the event.
