BOCA RATON, Fla. -- The Centre for
the Arts at Mizner Park’s new outdoor amphitheater
celebrated it’s first year of success with concerts
featuring Styx and Harry Connick, Jr. on November 21st
and 22nd of 2003. The amphitheater opened in November,
2002 with a community concert featuring the Florida
Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus and on the following
evening a concert featuring The Strokes and Jimmy Fallon.
The
amphitheater has hosted over 60 events and concerts
for the community attracting over 150,000 people during
its first year. The Centre for the Arts developed unique
programming partnerships in order to achieve its mission
of “uniting the community through culture”
with diverse programming and events (see attachment).
In addition to the Centre for the Arts as a presenter
of concerts and events, other programming partnerships
include Fantasma Productions, Inc., producing several
pop-culture concerts and the City of Boca Raton, producing
community concerts and an outdoor film series. In January,
the Centre for the Arts presented their first Gala concert
featuring the legendary tenor, Jose Carreras and in
October, hosted a 3-day Latin cultural festival featuring
Latin art, music, cinema and a performance by Jon Secada
and Nestor Torres. The Centre also launched its first
annual Michael and Madelyn Savarick Music Scholarship
Competition encouraged incredible young talent to audition
and compete for scholarship dollars to assist in funding
their musical education. Additionally, the Centre for
the Arts launched its children’s programming in
partnership with the YMCA of South Palm Beach County
and has reached in excess of 2,000 children and students
in the public and private schools with just two performances
at of the close of 2003. Most recently, the Centre for
the Arts is presenting a three-part classical music
series featuring the internationally acclaimed Sergiu
Schwartz and the Virtuosi Camerata Orchestra. Several
non-profit organizations have benefited from the reduced
rental rates and luxuries of the venue, such as the
state-of-the-art house sound and lighting systems. “What
a super day. We estimated attendance between 1,500 and
2,000 people. Walkers raised close to $70,000"
stated Betsy Keletas, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s
Light the Night Walk campaign manager.
The
Centre for the Arts’ Board of Directors have been
are a big part of the success of the first year, lead
by Board chairperson Wendy Larsen. “We are thrilled
with the enthusiasm and community support for this venue
and its programming,” said Larsen. “With
the support of the community, we will endeavor to continue
the diversity of programs and culture at the amphitheater
making it a South Florida destination for renowned entertainment
and culture.” The Centre will host a celebratory
gala event is planned for Saturday, April 3, 2004 applauding
the success of year one.
The
Centre for the Arts at Mizner Park is a not-for-profit
organization, dedicated to creating a cultural heart
for the entire South Florida community, located at Mizner
Park in Boca Raton. The Centre is currently developing
a three phase project on the north end parcel of land
at Mizner Park, which when completed, will include the
Count de Hoernle outdoor Amphitheater (Phase II) which
opened to the public in November 2002 and the indoor
performing arts hall and arts education building (Phase
III). The Boca Raton Museum of Art (Phase I), located
to the west of the Count de Hoernle Amphitheater opened
to the public in January 2001.
