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Local News

Hastings Performing Arts Center Grand Opening is Sunday

The Hastings Performing Arts Center is a reality and welcomes the community to its dedication and Grand Opening series Sunday, Feb. 10. The Center’s inaugural season debuts with presentations by Hastings School Bands at 2 p.m. and the Hastings School Choirs at 4 p.m.

 

“The Hastings Performing Arts Center is a community destination for the arts. We are excited to open this amazing facility so our students have an exceptional space to share their talent. We are also hoping to host community events and outside groups as well,” Hastings Area School System Superintendent Carrie Duits said.

 

A highly anticipated event is the Hastings High School production of “Beauty and the Beast” with Matt Callaghan directing. The musical is set for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 14, 15 and 16 with performances at 7 p.m. all three evenings and a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

 

Other programs coming up soon:

*Barry ISD Regional Spelling Bee- Feb. 12

*Thornapple Wind Band Concert with Olivet College- Feb. 22nd

*Mary Youngs Concert- March 2

*Middle School Ensembles Night- March 19

*Hastings Band Celebration- March 22

*Thornapple Arts Council Jazz Festival- April 25-27

 

Mike Sali, the managing director of the center, is a professional with a bachelor’s degree in technical theater from Aquinas Collage, 15 plus years of experience in theatrical production and eight years of experience in professional theatrical production, Duits said. Originally from Burnips, Sali recently came back home.

 

“He's very friendly and outgoing with tremendous technical knowledge. We’re fortunate to have him,” Duits said. Kingscott Associates, Inc is the architectural firm for the center, Peter Sarelis, the design architect and Laura Sarelis the chief designer.

 

Some statistics:

the main entrance has two entries with ticket and concession booths; the four entrances from the lobby to the auditorium are large enough to be used as an art gallery.

 

There are 820 permanent seats and an 860 seat maximum capacity with regular and raised seating for comfort.  The Center is fully handicap accessible, with an elevator to each floor; full band shell for concerts with full or half set-up options; the band shell ceiling has 10-12 studio LED lights.

 

A “fly” system, or theatrical rigging, is a system of rope lines, pulleys, and counterweights  that let stage crews fly (hoist) curtains, lights, scenery and sometimes, people, quickly, quietly and safely. The Center has a half-fly system.

 

The nine-foot deep orchestra pit has a lighted edge for performers and a black cover when not in use. In the control booth, there is a QL5 mixing console, ETC element lighting console, new LED lighting system and a Panasonic projector. It features a clear-com system and upstairs booth for a spotlight. The cost of the PAC was $9 million.

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