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Open House To Mark 20 Years

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By JANIS D. FROELICH, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 12, 2007

DOWNTOWN - As it winds up its 20th anniversary celebration - before the concluding Liza Minnelli concert Oct. 6 - the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center plans an open house Saturday.

The free event usually draws 1,500 people. Because the 2007-08 season is high-profile, including its touring Broadway show schedule, this year's attendance could be higher.

Oh, and the Rockettes are coming.

Not the whole dance troupe, but a few of the high-kicking entertainers will be in the lobby of Carol Morsani Hall to promote their 'Radio City Christmas Spectacular,' which will feature 52 performances from Dec. 6-30. The dancers will sign autographs from 11 a.m. to noon.
Tickets for the Rockettes go on sale Sunday, but open house attendees can get them a day early.

Kari Goetz, the center's audience development manager, sees her job largely as reaching out to the downtown community.

'We really work with downtown corporations, University of Tampa students and residents moving in to make them aware of shows like the Rockettes and all the other opportunities we offer,' said Goetz, who serves on the recently formed Uptown Council board, a group of residents and business owners in the cultural arts area.

She cites 900 programs and performances, plus 1,400 events at the center last season.

The Dr. Pallavi Patel Performing Arts Conservatory, which opened almost three years ago, has a fall enrollment of 1,000 for offerings ranging from children's classes conducted by the Orlando Ballet School to 'Get to Know the Camera' workshops.

'The performing arts center is critically important to downtown,' said Paul Ayres, marketing director for the Tampa Downtown Partnership.

'Not only does the center bring in 750,000 people each year,' he said, 'but how important is this facility to those moving into downtown? It soon won't be unusual for people to walk to a class or a performance.'

'We love being three blocks away from the center,' said Scott Wenger, manager at The Fly restaurant, which opened a year ago at 1202 N. Franklin St. 'We not only get the audience but the touring cast and crew are in here.'

Goetz said she extended a personal welcome to residents at The Arlington, Residences at Franklin Street and SkyPoint, inviting them to a reception to try out seats as they consider season tickets.

The center's 9-acre campus will be available for tours at the open house, Goetz said, except the theater section of Morsani Hall, where there will be a 2 p.m. performance of 'My Fair Lady.' Guests can walk past the costume room and see the four bay doors where trucks unload equipment for such shows as 'The Lion King' and 'Jersey Boys.'

Local restaurants such as Channelside's Tinatapa's will provide refreshments and the theater's youth group will offer short performances.

Goetz said the center has no building plans, although additions are possible; more than 50 seats are being installed in Morsani Hall to boost its capacity above 2,600.

Goetz said there has been a river walk in front of the center since it opened. With Mayor Pam Iorio seeking to link the Channel District and Tampa Heights via the Riverwalk project along the Hillsborough River, the arts center is installing stone and masonry work on its portion.

The center plans an outdoor showing Oct. 19 of the film 'Rent' on a 15-by-20-foot screen near the river.

With its five theaters and three restaurants, the center is seasoned in getting visitors in and out.

'I've been amazed at times to see how fast people exiting are replaced by people arriving,' Goetz said. 'But then our staff and volunteers know what they're doing.'

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center's annual open house, including tours, performances, refreshments and appearances by the Rockettes

WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday

WHERE: 1010 N. W.C. MacInnes Place

COST: Free

INFORMATION: (813) 222-1000 or www.tbpac.org

Reporter Janis D. Froelich can be reached at (813) 835-2104 or jfroelich@tampatrib.com.

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