Arvada Center Amphitheater Hosts CenterFest Performance Series

Coming off last summer's successful inaugural year, the Arvada Center is pleased to announce the return of CenterFest, a fourteen-week collaboration of some of the best performing arts groups in the Denver metro area. This year's series features 23 performing groups ranging from Ballet Nouveau Colorado in a unique partnership with the band Paper Bird, to the Colorado Symphony's Tribute to Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops and the prestigious Colorado Shakespeare Festival's two night staging of Romeo & Juliet. A complete listing of all performances including ticket pricing is on the following pages. Tickets for CenterFest are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.SummerAtTheCenter.com or by calling 720-898-7200, and by visiting the Arvada Center box office at 6901 Wadsworth Boulevard in Arvada.

"The Arvada Center is honored to host another year of what is the only ongoing summer festival of its kind in the region." remarked Gene Sobczak, Executive Director. "From the time we conceived this idea and launched the first CenterFest last year, we knew this would be a unique partnership that would bring many organizations to audiences that might not have been exposed to these groups in another venue. Certainly not in a top notch outdoor facility like our amphitheater where you can get free parking, have a picnic and enjoy an evening out all for the price of a ticket."
This year's participating groups are looking forward to forging new partnerships with other performing arts organizations while broadening their reach in the community.

One of the early shows of the summer season is the creative partnership between Ballet Nouveau Colorado and the critically acclaimed band, Paper Bird in a much anticipated encore performance of Carry On. "BNC is proud to be partnering with Arvada Center for our third summer; performing at the Amphitheater has become one of the highlights of our year." says Garrett Ammon, Artistic Director of Ballet Nouveau Colorado. "What a pleasure it is to work together along with Paper Bird to bring the arts to an ever larger audience with this annual tradition."

"Colorado Ballet is very proud of our relationship with the Arvada Center." said Gil Boggs, Artistic Director of the Colorado Ballet. "It is a great collaboration for both of us and affords Colorado Ballet the opportunity to develop a larger audience."

Kathy Brantigan, Executive Director of the Denver Brass had this to say about their long time partnership with the Arvada Center. "The Denver Brass is thrilled to be part of CenterFest! This is our favorite outdoor venue, with great sound and intimate lawn and covered seating. What better way to celebrate late summer than with our friends from Celtic Colorado and the Arvada Chorale? This collaboration really makes me excited about summer!"

One of the highlights of the series is the Arvada Center debut of the Colorado Shakespeare Festival as they bring their production of Romeo and Juliet in for two nights on the amphitheater stage. The production will replicate this summer's Boulder staging of Shakespeare's most memorable romantic tragedy with original cast, set pieces, props and costumes. "We're delighted to be able to collaborate with the Arvada Center on our summer production of Romeo and Juliet. It's becoming more important for us to be able to reach a wider audience, and performing on the outdoor stage, as part of such a high-profile event as CenterFest, is the perfect way for us to do that." commented CSF Artistic Director, Phillip Sneed. "It's a great facility, and we're proud to be allied with such an important regional arts center!"

Many of the arts organizations performing at CenterFest this summer receive part of their funding through the voter approved Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), the seven-county Denver metro sales and use tax that distributes a one cent on every $10 purchase to support arts, science, and cultural organizations. Last year the SCFD distributed approximately $40 million dollars to over 300 organizations in the metro area.

Sobczak concluded by saying "With our continually expanding Summer at the Center 2011 series, featuring CenterFest, our Summer Stage concert series, live theater, and fine art exhibitions, our goal is for the Arvada Center to emerge as the premier summer destination for arts and culture along the Front Range."

CenterFest gates open at 6 p.m. and performances begin at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted. All shows will be performed rain or shine. Pack a picnic (no glass please) and come early to visit the many informational booths staffed by local cultural organizations. Concessions including food, beer and wine are also available for purchase.

About the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Now celebrating its 35th Season, The Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities is one of the nation's largest multidisciplinary arts centers, devoted to all aspects of the arts and generously supported by the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). For more information, visit www.arvadacenter.org

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