NPAC: Christmas in September?

I know it’s only September and it is hot in Ohio, but from where I am writing you in Seaside, Calif., it’s a cool 55 degrees and feels closer to Christmas.  I am visiting my daughter in Mountain View, Calif., but my mind is on the upcoming Christmas season at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.

The ticket release for our first Christmas show is coming up. Actually, when we first booked the show, we weren’t fully aware it would be a Christmas show. Country star and winner of Donald Trump’s “Celebrity Apprentice” TV show, Trace Adkins has decided to begin his Christmas tour the week of our show.  After learning about what is in his holiday show, I am now glad we have it.  Trace will soon be releasing his new Christmas CD, The Christmas Gift. He is sure to play much of the music from this CD during our show. From what I have learned, it has some beautiful arrangements that include string background and vocals to his regular band.  It even has a little Celtic flavor to the country style he is so widely known for.

Although many purchased tickets for this show as part of our season package release, there have been some who have been waiting for our single ticket release.  This has been a little “tricky” for us.  Management for Trace has been working on this Christmas tour and CD release during the late summer and many changes have been made. We apologize for any inconvenience and confusion this may have caused, but I am sure it will all be for a wonderful Christmas show you will enjoy if you are able to attend.

As it now stands, we will be able to release many of the remaining tickets we have beginning this Friday. There is a possibility a few additional seats may be made available October 1, depending on what management does with some of their allotment.  I would say the safest thing to do is to get your ticket this Friday, unless you are a betting man. We are fortunate to be included in this huge Christmas tour of Trace Adkins and look forward to welcoming his show to the Niswonger in Van Wert, Ohio.

The next Christmas concert we have planned is the Sonos Handbell Ensemble, which will be in concert on December 1. Tickets for this concert actually went on sale yesterday (Tuesday).  Even though this is part of our Community Concert Series, where over 650 seats have been filled, this Christmas program has garnered lots of interest, so I encourage you to get a ticket soon if you plan on attending. This will not only be a musical Christmas treat, but also quite a visual one.  Dubbed the Olympians of handbell ensembles, you must see how they quickly move around the stage to get to the next bell they must ring, creating beautiful sounds!  All seats are just $20.

Then on Saturday, December 7, one of the nicest and well-known celebrity singers and entertainers of our time, Tony Orlando will return to the Niswonger with his fun and meaningful Christmas show, Santa and Me.  Those who were fortunate to have seen him in 2008 at the Niswonger, know what a wonderful and entertaining Christmas show this will be.  Single tickets go on sale today (Wednesday).

For all who enjoy jazz and great musicianship, you will want to attend Dave Koz & Friends on December 10.  This outstanding jazz saxophonist will bring three other outstanding musicians with him to create one big Christmas show normally reserved for the big cities!  Single tickets go on sale September 12.

Finally, on December 15, Christian singing group, Point of Grace will remind us of the true meaning of Christmas with their joyful sounds, blending voices and message of the Christ child.  Their single tickets go on sale soon. As you can see, there is much to look forward to this Christmas season at the Niswonger.  You don’t have to attend everything, although you just may want to.  Hopefully, there is something for everyone at some time during the season.

Talking to you from the “cool” ocean breezes of the Bay Area in California, I will see you again next week from good ole’ Ohio!

FINÉ.