A yearly NPAC musical assessment

As we near the end of the year, I like to look back and see where we have been and where we are heading.  For those of us involved in performing arts, our year goes as the academic calendar does, September-May.  I typically refer to it as a season, such as the 2013-14 season we are currently in.

This season, we have, or more appropriately, you have, set record attendance marks at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center. Six out of 10 performances have been sold out, and those that did not sell out averaged over 900 seats sold! We have been blessed with some wonderful concerts and artists who have given us “over-the-top” performances.  Our box office tells me there is never a day that goes by they are not entering a new address to our ever expanding list of 13,000 patrons.

We have received emails from first time attenders saying what a great experience they have had at the Niswonger.  We appreciate hearing messages like this that confirm what we offer the region in performing arts. There is nothing like working to make people happy, especially in the area of music!

With performances by the likes of Michael W. Smith, Debby Boone, Under the Streetlamp, TBDBITL, Trace Adkins, Sonos Handbell ringers, Tony Orlando, Dave Koz & Friends, and, finally, Point of Grace, it is easy to see why people are flocking to the NPAC from all over. These performers are not only great musicians and entertainers, but are also superior individuals.  It has been as much a pleasure working with them as it has been listening to them.

As we look into the new year, which represents the second half of our season, it is easy to continue to be excited.  Outstanding performers such as Kellie Pickler and The Spinners join such wonderful shows as the beautiful Cinderella ballet, Broadway’s The Addams Family and West Side Story, and the humor of “The (Not So) Newlywed Game”, Church Basement Ladies, and HMS Pinafore … and that’s just a portion of what’s to come!

Gift cards have been flying out the box office window this holiday season.  What a great and unique gift it is to give someone performances at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center.  We will continue selling right up through December 23 and then close on the 24th through the 26th for Christmas so we can all enjoy this special time of the season with our families.  If you happen to be reading this and are from out of town, call our box office quickly and we will be happy to send gift cards to your loved ones. To make sure they arrive in time for Christmas, however, we would want to mail them by the end of this week — so hurry!

We look forward to some time off now after five Christmas concerts this season, but we are also planning on seeing so many of you again when we resume concerts in the new year with the adorable Kellie Pickler on January 25. Check the NPAC website at www.npacvw.org and Facebook for all the other shows and concerts coming in the new year.  Until then, keep a smile on your face and know that all of us associated with the Niswonger Performing Arts Center wish you a very Merry Christmas!

FINÉ.