Center for the Arts Weekend Finale

The is preparing to take its final bow on Sunday, as they temporarily shut down the Old Town Hall building for major renovations expected to be completed in early 2012.  This weekend the Center for the Arts will host back to back events during their final days.

On Saturday, Feb. 12 the Wendee Glick Quartet host their “Wine, Chocolate and Jazz” event at 7:30 p.m. Experienced jazz vocalist Wendee Glick sings of all different types of love, backed by a full big band orchestra. Her sense of humor and ways of engaging the audience are said to make for an entertaining evening. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

On Sunday, Feb. 13 the Illumination Opera returns with a program of popular opera scenes at 3 p.m. The group, directed by Sondra Kelly, will perform fully staged and costumed scenes from popular operas by Britten, Cimarosa, Donizetti, Monteverdi, Moore, Mozart, Strauss, and Verdi. This gala celebration will be in a cabaret setting at the Center for the Arts. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students, and are available on line at www.illuminationopera.org or at the door.

The Chelmsford Center for the Arts has been open for just over a year, and are proud of what they have accomplished so far.

“We opened a gallery, developed programming, and we are in the black.  We wish we could just snap our fingers and have the renovation completed so we don't lose our momentum,” said Susan Julian Gates, founder of the Center for the Arts. “We are very excited about the future.”

The Center for the Arts committee consisting of Kit Harbison, Andy Rega, Kathy Cryan-Hicks, Dacey Zouzas, and Gates will be hard at work while the building is closed for renovations, embarking on a major fundraising campaign.  Their goal is to raise sufficient funds for a piano for the auditorium and furnishings.

The Center for the Arts received funding through the Community Preservation Act to be able to do the renovations. Updates on the renovation process will be posted on the Center for the Arts website and Facebook page, as well as video reports on Chelmsford TeleMedia.

“I think the renovated lower level will be the most exciting change for me,” said Gates. “We will have a second performance space with a coffee house or cabaret feel to it that will also be appropriate for seated dinners.”

As the Center for the Arts prepared to take their “intermission” Gates remembers the successful events they’ve hosted so far and looks ahead to the bright future.  

“I loved the ‘Chelmsford Center for the Arts in Bloom’ event-- the garden clubs and the artists outdid themselves. The Cupcake Festival was fun for all ages.  I look forward to bringing those events back,” said Gates. “What I truly look forward to the most though is developing a volunteer base, an adult theatre group and more music events.”