Getting the NPAC ready for a new season

We are quickly approaching the beginning of a brand new season at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center. We are less than two weeks from our season opener with Scotty McCreery, “American Idol” winner of 2011 and one of the newest young country stars touring the U.S. There are currently about 40 tickets left for this opening concert on September 20.  It will be a packed house to see this huge production. From all indications, it looks like it will be a superb opener!

We have been busy preparing the Niswonger for your arrival on the 20th. The normal maintenance items have been completed such as a complete cleaning, painting the stage, and necessary repairs. As we approach our ninth season, we also want to keep a fresh appearance for everyone entering our doors. Of course, the signage in the lobby has been updated, new logo mats will hopefully be on display, and our army of volunteers is eager to welcome you in new, inviting ways.

The outside will also take on a fresh new appearance. One thing you won’t readily notice is the joint compound freshly redone. This is not a noticeable item, but a necessary one. I hope you will take notice of the Legacy Walk recognizing original donors who bought bricks along the main sidewalk entrance. Our good friends at Delphos Granite helped us improve the look by donating a beautiful granite marker identifying the walk. Delphos Granite associate Carey Mathew donated much time to clean concrete and bricks within the walk. Thank you Delphos Granite, and thank you Carey for your generous donations of product and labor.

We have also been working to replace and make permanent the seat nameplates in the Van Wert County Foundation Saltzgaber Music Hall.  Our facility coordinator, Mark Hartman, has been spending time with our original seat chart to assure each person’s giving will always be recognized. As we approach 10 years of operations in the Niswonger, I want to make sure we never forget those who provided funds to make our beautiful facility and venue possible for the thousands of patrons who have enjoyed so many wonderful events.

Keep an eye on the east walls just outside the main entrance. Hopefully this week, you will see big splashes of color touting our mission statement, as well as our season logo of “Color Your World with Entertainment!”

We look forward to welcoming you through our doors time after time this season for many, if not all of our 26 different concerts, shows and lectures. Following Scotty McCreery on September 20 will be Ohio State Buckeye superstar, NFL Pro Bowler, TV college football analyst and cancer spokesperson Chris Spielman. Chris comes to Van Wert on September 28 to speak about his passion of curing cancer. I am sure he will share his perspective of the Buckeyes’ chances of defending their national championship too. So far, so good. The Bucks looked pretty good in their opener on national TV on Labor Day night. It sure is good to see Braxton Miller back with those amazing moves. I also imagine Crestview graduate Cody Klinker had his eyes wide open as he traveled with the OSU Marching Band and played in front of 65,000 plus screaming Hokie and Buckeye fans in Blacksburg, Virginia.  What an experience!

What an experience this season will be at the Niswonger too! I can’t wait to get started. See you soon.

FINÉ.