(noticia) Music, comedy, theater on Stephens Center's 2005-06 season

Sunday, April 17, 2005
MICHAEL HUEBNER
News staff writer

Reflecting local and national directions toward diversity and variety in arts offerings, the Alys Stephens Center wants audiences to "Come Together Through the Arts" in 2005-06.

That's the theme chosen for its wide-ranging palette of events, which gives patrons options from Las Vegas icon Wayne Newton to the world-class Emerson String Quartet to hip-hop dance sensation Rennie Harris.

"We want to bring people from every group, age, nationality and religion," says Executive Director Caron Thornton. "That's an important mission of ours. We're trying to say we're the place for everyone."
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Singer-songwriter Randy Newman, comedians Dave Barry and Paula Poundstone, pianist Emanuel Ax, actor Ben Vereen, gravelly-voiced crooner Leon Redbone and Hollywood great Patricia Neal are also in the star-studded lineup.

Several events reflect the increasing spirit of cooperation among the city's arts organizations. Among the collaborators are the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, Alabama Symphony, Alabama Dance Summit and Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, and it continues its partnership with the Birmingham Music Club.

"Collaboration has been one of the keys to our success," Thornton says. "Every time we collaborate with other organizations, we both grow."

`We're really moving':

The growth is evident in the numbers. Attendance is up 20 percent from last season, and is projected to reach 16,000. Ticket revenue is expected to reach $800,000, the highest figure ever. The center's operating budget is about $3 million.

(leer +) [vía the birmingham news]