The PACE Center will open it’s season in October of 2011

The Parker Arts, Culture and Events (PACE) Center is proud to announce its inaugural season for 2011-12. The season includes over 60 performances of 28 different shows from a wide range of categories including musical and original theater, comedy, dance, classical and orchestral music, family offerings and more. Patrons can expect a thrilling season of live “entertainment at your own PACE.” Opening in Parker this October, the PACE Center is a new regional arts center offering a variety of local, regional and national programming.

“The 2011-2012 season is exciting not only because it is our first season, but the variety is astounding,” said Jeannene Bragg, Cultural Director. “The PACE Center’s theater lineup is incredible, featuring a partnership with the Aurora Fox to present A Christmas Story and Annie, along with the American premiere of an original musical created for the PACE Center, COUNTRY IS, The Music of Mainstreet by Rick Seeber, a national theater producer based in Denver.”

Luma lights the way for the PACE Center’s first season as the grand opening act on Oct. 28 and two performances on Oct. 29. Luma is creating a special custom light show for the PACE Center’s opening to incorporate local talent, themes and interests.

“There is so much to enjoy in the season and we are happy to bring some of the world’s best artists to Colorado,” Bragg said. Coming to the PACE Center in November all the way from Austria is the Vienna Boys Choir. “It is a wonderful opportunity, especially for the local choir students, to see and hear the renowned Vienna Boys Choir in person.”

Another international act, Direct from Ireland – Celtic Nights – Journey of Hope, tells the story of a rich Celtic heritage through traditional ballads and expert dancing and musicianship. The mix of traditional and contemporary Irish pieces is a glittering celebration of the Celtic experience.

The 2011-12 inaugural season also features family-friendly programming. Audiences of all ages will enjoy seeing Stunt Dog Experience take over the stage with pet tricks and stunts, and Sign Stage’s Stuart Little tells the beloved story of the spirited mouse through hearing and deaf actors who speak and perform sign language simultaneously.

Bragg worked collaboratively with the entire PACE staff on creating a well-rounded season that would be appealing to all audiences, as well as including local arts organizations. Each Artistic Partner will have at least two performances during the inaugural season. The Partners for the season are Apex Contemporary Dance Theatre, Colorado Wind Ensemble, Parker Chorale and Parker Symphony Orchestra.

Other highlights of the PACE Center’s first season include a classical music series with several well-known musicians, the hilarious adult comedy show Defending the Caveman, a combination of arts and science in Garry Krinsky: Toying with Science, the Cashore Marionettes demonstrating life in motion through complex puppets suspended from strings, an Italian Sojourn by the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado, Cinderella by Ballet Ariel and Nutcracker of Parker produced by Colorado School of Dance, a holiday favorite and Parker tradition.

Tickets will be available in August at www.PACEcenteronline.org.

The 2011-12 PACE season by category follows.

FEATURED PERFORMERS: Luma (season opener), Oct. 28-29 (3 performances); Cashore Marionettes, Nov. 5; Vienna Boys Choir, Nov. 11; Direct from Ireland – Celtic Nights – Journey of Hope, Feb. 17; Defending the Caveman, June 1-2 (2 performances)

THEATER: “A Christmas Story” presented in partnership with Aurora Fox, Dec. 2-4 and 9-11 (8 performances); original musical “COUNTRY IS, The Music of Mainstreet,” Jan. 27-29, Feb. 3-5, Feb. 10-12 (9 performances); “Annie” presented in partnership with Aurora Fox, April 12-15 and 19-22 (8 performances)

FAMILY: Garry Krinsky: Toying with Science, Feb. 25; Stunt Dog Experience, March 25 (2 performances); Sign Stage’s “Stuart Little,” April 28

MUSIC: Denver Municipal Band “Tribute to Veterans,” Nov. 10; Parker Symphony Orchestra, Dec. 7; Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado “Italian Sojourn,” Jan. 6; Colorado Wind Ensemble “It’s a Small World,” Feb. 18; Parker Symphony Orchestra, Feb. 24; Parker Symphony Orchestra, April 27; Parker Chorale, April 28; Colorado Wind Ensemble “Carmina Burana,” May 18

CLASSICAL SERIES: Lefthand Trio – Classical Guitar, Flute and Viola, Jan. 19; Musicians of the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado playing Music of the 17th and 18th Centuries on period instruments, Feb. 16; Fuchs Trio – Piano, Violin, Cello – Music of Mendelssohn, Dvorak, and Piazzolla, March 22; The Confluence Quartet – Violin, Violin, Viola and Cello, May 31

DANCE: Apex Contemporary Dance Theatre’s “A Children’s Show,” Nov. 18-19 (2 performances); “Nutcracker of Parker” produced by Colorado School of Dance, Dec. 15-18 (5 performances); Ballet Ariel’s “Cinderella,” March 23-24 (2 performances); Apex Contemporary Dance Theatre’s “Imagine – Dancing Beyond the Edge of Technology,” April 4-5 (2 performances)

Titles and dates are subject to change as the PACE Center is continuously booking more shows and performances including a culinary series, workshops and classes, local music series, art exhibitions, film and author and speakers’ series.

Located in historic downtown Parker, the PACE Center will open in October 2011. PACE has a 536-seat theater, 250-seat amphitheater, art gallery, event room, dance studio, culinary kitchen and several classrooms. PACE is also available as a rental venue for community, business and social events. For more information about the PACE Center, visit www.PACEcenteronline.org.