Although most of the patrons come from Bella Vista, the Live on Stage in NWA performance series offers a northern alternative to Walton Arts Center shows, says Don Kernwein, president of the board. And at $75 for five shows, it’s a bargain, he adds.
The performance series has been around for most of four decades, but the name was changed to Live on Stage in NWA just five or six years ago, Kernwein explains. A Nashville, Tenn.-based organization called Live on Stage “is the primary supplier for the artists we get,” he says. Every year, aLive on Stage committee goes to Nashville and sees 25 to 30 live auditions and another 15 or so on tape. “From that we choose the performances we think best suit our audiences.”
Kernwein hopes to sell about 900 season tickets this year for the five-show slate.
All performances take place at the Arend Arts Center in Bentonville. Not only will they see good shows, he promises, but they’ll also help performing arts students in their home towns. Live on Stage in NWA awards as many as seven scholarships a year to high school seniors in Benton County.
Season tickets are $75 before July 4 and $85 after that date by calling 855-9997 or visiting www.
liveonstagenwa.com.
Whats Up, Pages 19 on 06/29/2012