Set your chairs up in the park this Friday

After a week off in Fountain Park last Friday because of the football game in Eggerss Stadium, summer music returns at 7 p.m. this Friday night with the Doo-Wah Riders. Those of you who were practicing getting your chairs set up last Friday will now have a real concert to enjoy. And enjoy you will!

The Doo-Wah Riders define their music as “high energy country with a Cajun twist.” This group of five musicians hails from California, but they do get around. After leaving Van Wert, they will be traveling to Hershey, PA for a performance before returning to the west coast once again.

The list of performers they have shared a stage with is like a who’s who of country music stars. Names like Garth Brooks, George Strait, Faith Hill, Brooks and Dunn are just a few they have performed with or for. I first heard the Doo-Wah Riders in New York at a showcase two years ago. I just happened to fall upon them and once I started listening to them, I became hooked. I believe you will too!

Invite all your friends to Fountain Park this Friday night for a fun time of music, food, and great times under the stars. The Van Wert Rotary Club will be serving food in the park. Remember, it was Rotary who initiated and helped build the concession and restroom building in Fountain Park. Now, they will be assisting the city by replacing rotted light posts in the park. So, help Rotary help our community by buying up some of their delicious food and then enjoy the Legendary Doo-Wah Riders and see what I have been talking about for two years.

This Friday will be a huge day for the arts because we will also be releasing the Niswonger Performing Arts Center’s new season of attractions. Watch the news for this big announcement. You know of the five-concert Community Concert line-up featuring the Lennon Sisters. Now you will learn about the Grand Series and Speaker Series, which features an amazing nineteen more attractions and concerts. As we like to say, “You can see the Stars at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center!”

Nearly seven months of work has gone into this year’s season. Researches, programming meetings, phone calls, emails, and negotiations back and forth have all brought us to the point where we now can finally release a whole new season. We will be kicking off the season with a huge gala event, celebrating five years of concerts at the NPAC.

Look for the season catalog to arrive in the mail in the next several days. We now have over 9,000 patrons who have visited our facility that we mail to. In this catalog, you will see the many different options and times that you can purchase tickets. Our box office, open T-F during the summer from 12-4 PM is starting to gear up for the onslaught of ticket buyers in the next few weeks. Make your plans for the new season. I truly believe there will be something for everyone and the ticket prices will range from Free to $5 and above. So, I don’t think we will exclude anyone.

The NPAC table in Fountain Park this Friday night will have brochures of the new NPAC season. Feel free to stop by and pick one up for yourself and grab a few others to share with some friends, acquaintances, and co-workers who may have never been to the NPAC.

I have received the vocal scores from the Fort Wayne Philharmonic office for those singing in the chorus for the big Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony performance on July 14. If you have committed or would like to commit to singing in the chorus, stop by my office at the Van Wert County Foundation at 138 E. Main St. and pick up your copy.

Also remember that tickets for this memorable concert at the NPAC on July 14 (Saturday) go on sale at the NPAC box office tomorrow (Thursday) and online at www.npacvw.org.  Adult tickets are $20 and students are $10. This is one of the two pre-season summer events going on at the NPAC. The other is the Miss West Central Ohio Scholarship Pageant on July 27. Tickets will be available soon for this televised event.

There is plenty to do in Van Wert as you enjoy a relaxing summer. I’ll see you soon!

FINÉ.