- November 22, 2024
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It was open house at the newly revitalized Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center following a myriad of reopening activities. A ribbon cutting, a donors' champagne extravaganza and the venue’s first concert performed by Victor Wainwright and the Train on Saturday culminated in a day of activities on Sunday, Feb. 18.
PAC Supervisor Marc Schwartz was on hand to greet people and give tours of the renovated venue. In 2010, he began to manage the facility.
“I realized, at that time, that I was going to have to reimagine what this facility could be so that it draws the attention of the people who have an interest in the arts,” he said. “I wanted them to understand that we have this facility here — it’s not just a nondescript office building on U.S.1.”
Volunteers gave tours of the ticketing office, brightly lit lobby and newly installed theater seating. Art enthusiasts also got a chance to roam the fine art gallery where the Florida Women’s Arts Association exhibition is installed.
Alyssa Smullin was the interior designer for the Performing Arts Center. She stopped by the open house with her son Miles.
“I worked with the architect for this renovation," she said. "It’s like my baby.”
LC and Tommy Tobey are the curators of the gallery for the next year. They accepted 18 out of the 33 submissions for the first show, which runs until April 27. The next exhibition, titled "Kodachrome Today" will feature color photography.
Seabreeze High School music students from the jazz ensemble, the string quartet and soloists from the orchestra performed throughout the day. They alternated with Children’s Musical Theatre actors who rehearsed excerpts from their upcoming show — Peter Pan Jr.
Carol Ewy has volunteered at the PAC for 16 years. She said she is pleased with the changes.
“I love it — I’d say it’s elegant,” she said. “We were very fortunate because we got brand new seats that were donated. Everybody is loving being more comfortable.”
There are 12 upcoming events. The Edwards Twins, which is a Las Vegas style variety show, is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 21 and is already sold out. Schwartz said the renovation attracted the agent for the jazz band Spyro Gyra. PAC will be a stop on their anniversary tour Friday, Aril 26.
“Instead of them going to Dr. Phillips (Center for the Performing Arts) or the King Center or Jacksonville, they’re coming here,” he said. “What attracted their agent was he had read about the renovation and said they would love to play in a beautifully renovated theater, especially in a place where they played once before.”
The band had played at the Ormond Beach Independence Day celebration Jazz Matazz in the 1990s.
Tickets can be purchased at the PAC box office Tuesday through Friday from 12-5 p.m., two hours before the shows, and at https://ormondbeachperformingartscenter.csstix.com.