On March 13, the Midwest Theater, West Nebraska Arts Center and Theatre West are joining together to present “A Night Out for the Arts,” featuring a piano performance by Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra’s principal keyboard player Richard Fountain.
A Night Out for the Arts is a local community arts advocacy day event that coincides with the Nebraskans for the Arts' grassroots action to support the annual National Arts Advocacy Day. Arts Advocacy Day is an opportunity to celebrate the arts in our community, and for patrons to have their voices heard and to join forces with local arts organizations and fellow citizens to emphasize the value of art.
By reaching out to local, state, and national legislators, the Midwest Theater, WNAC, and Theatre West hope to show the importance of supporting arts funding and positive arts legislation. This is the 2nd Arts Advocacy Day event these organizations have held. Last year a letter writing and ‘call your representative’ event was held at WNAC and was very well attended. The plan is to continue to do this on an annual basis, changing the location and the activities each time. This year the Midwest Theater will host.
The evening will begin with a free master class for local piano students of all ages, from 4-5 p.m. For more information about the master class, or to register, call the Midwest Theater 308-632-4311.
From 5-7 p.m., West Nebraska Arts Center will be set up in the Midwest Theater lobby with demonstrations by local artists. There is also be a “Paint-Off” competition planned where participants have a set amount of time to do a quick painting on a selected subject and then the paintings will be sold. The proceeds will benefit all three arts organizations. The winner will be decided by the most number of votes from the public.
Simultaneously, the Midwest Theater lobby will be open as a gathering place for community members to access resources and tools for contacting their elected representatives. Anyone can stop by to learn about issues affecting the arts in Nebraska and how to call, email, send a letter, or post to social media in support of the arts. An “I Heart the Arts” feedback booth will be set up where visitors can record video statements of why the arts are important to them. Water, soda and candy will be served at the concessions stand.
At 7:00 p.m., a short arts advocacy film by Becky McMillen featuring Midwest Theater programming, will premiere on screen, and then Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra pianist Richard Fountain will take the stage. Thanks to a sponsorship from World of Arts & Music, Fountain’s performance will be a “pay-what-you-can” event, so it can be affordable for everyone while also raising funds to support the free public arts programming that the Midwest Theater, West Nebraska Arts Center and Theatre West provide in our community. General admission tickets are available now at the Midwest Theater by phone, in person or online at MidwestTheater.com
2018 Arts Advocacy Day Schedule of Events at the Midwest Theater
4 p.m. piano master class with Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra pianist Richard Fountain
5 p.m. artist demonstrations, video feedback booth, arts advocacy activity, refreshments
7 p.m. arts advocacy featurette premiere, Richard Fountain piano performance
West Nebraska Arts Center is a cultural, non-profit organization committed to education, awareness, and excellence in the arts, serving the North Platte Valley Region, offering two galleries for visual arts exhibits, classes, and other special events. WNAC is located at 106 East 18th Street in Scottsbluff, NE. Visit the Arts Center's website, www.thewnac.com, to learn more.
The Midwest Theater is located at 1707 Broadway in Scottsbluff, NE. They provide a space for mainstream and specialty films, performing and visual arts, as well as school and community educational programming. Visit their website at www.MidwestTheater.com for more information.
Theatre West, the Panhandle's semi-professional theatre organization, enhances the region with quality theatrical experience for participants and audiences, using to the utmost, the resources of regional citizens. They provide educational and performance opportunity to collegiate theatre students and community actors and musicians and are located at Western Nebraska Community College, 1601 E. 27th Street, Scottsbluff, NE. To learn more, visit www.theatrewestnebraska.com.
Nebraskans for the Arts' mission is to advocate for arts policy, arts education, and participation in the arts in Nebraska. Advancing the arts as essential to life and learning for all Nebraskans. To learn more, visit www.nebraskansforthearts.org/
Tuesday Mar 13, 2018
4:00 PM - 4:00 PM MDT
Tuesday, March 13, 2018 - 7:30 p.m.
Midwest Theater
1707 Broadway
Scottsbluff, NE
For more information please call 308-632-4311
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Printed courtesy of www.scottsbluffgering.net – Contact the Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce for more information.
1517 Broadway, Suite 104, Scottsbluff, NE 69361 – (308) 632-2133 – karen@scottsbluffgering.net