Oh what a night at the Niswonger Gala!

In the words of that famous Frankie Valli tune, “Oh What a Night!”  (I think it’s actually called “December ’63”). This is what we experienced this past Saturday with the Niswonger Ten Year Gala celebration. For those of you who were able to attend, I’m sure you would concur.

We started out with 200 people neatly tucked into Willow Bend Country Club to enjoy a great dinner and hear from local sponsors, visitors, and even from Bernadette Peters and Maestro Keith Lockhart of the Boston Pops. It was wonderful to hear from those who were integrally involved in the building of the Niswonger as well as those who have bought into the operations during our ten years of existence. I always want to remember those who contributed in so many ways to make our existence possible. Our appreciation is reminded every time we present an event and step into the building.

As we were enjoying our time at Willow Bend Country Club, many others were gathering in the Van Wert Federal Grand Lobby and Keltner Upper Lobby to enjoy music, fellowship, and event night pictures. Then at 8 p.m., the stage filled with some of the most amazing musicians of the Boston Pops Orchestra and we were treated to some wonderful music of Gershwin. I think people enjoyed the first half even more than they had thought. The sound was magical!

After a 20-minute intermission, Bernadette Peters lit the stage with her electric personality, gown, hair and voice. She is the entire package, which is probably why she has been so popular on stage, in film, and TV.  At the end of her segment, The Pops kicked into “The Stars and Stripes Forever” as streamers filled the air during the finale, dropping delightfully on audience members’ heads who were giving a standing ovation. It was certainly the appropriate way to end a gala concert.

But we still weren’t done. Many made their way to the Wassenberg Art Center for our afterglow, enjoying food, music, drinks, and more fellowship late into the night.

There are so many to thank that I think I will just mention our sponsors for the night. If not for our three major sponsors this celebration would never have happened. The Van Wert County Foundation, Central Mutual Insurance, and Scott and Nikki Niswonger once again stepped up to the plate and helped us make our gala the memorable event it was. The Kenn-Feld Group also kicked in as a supporting sponsor to even make it better.

I realize this was an expensive ticket for some and it may have precluded some from actually being able to take part. This is my only regret. But Saturday night was for a big time dress-up celebration in a big city style.  Now that we had our fun, we will get back to bringing the arts to all people.

We will do that real soon too!  Two more Niswonger events occur this month: David Phelps Good Friday concert on April 14 and then Mutts Gone Nutts with comedian Robert Post on April 30.  Now there are a couple inspirational and fun shows!  Unfortunately, both shows are nearly sold out.  (Unfortunate only if you haven’t yet gotten a ticket.) I do believe there are about 50 seats remaining for this very special Good Friday concert with David Phelps. This will be a great Holy Week concert. I can’t wait!

The Mutts show and Robert Post will be a most enjoyable and funny show. I’ve always enjoyed Post, and who doesn’t love dogs on stage! I currently see 35 seats remaining for this one, so get to the box office or online quickly so you can enjoy these wonderful concerts and shows.

Thank you once again to all who had anything to do with our Ten Years of Wow! Gala celebration.  It truly was quite a night!  Here’s to an entirely new decade of great performances at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center of Northwest Ohio!  I’ll see you soon.

FINÉ.