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Arts Council marks 50th anniversary with season lineup, mental-health benefit
Summary
The Wisconsin Rapids Arts Council announced its 50th anniversary season and a new mental-health benefit series. Executive Director Sally Kisner said the Aug. 8 'Hope in the Valley' show will feature Ryan Stevenson and that proceeds will support the Bridge to Healing Foundation; season subscriptions include a 20% anniversary discount.
The Wisconsin Rapids Arts Council on Neighbor to Neighbor’s SUNUP Wisconsin outlined a 50th anniversary season that mixes nostalgia acts with community outreach, including a mental-health benefit featuring Ryan Stevenson.
Sally Kisner, executive director of the Arts Council, announced a new summer benefit series called "Hope in the Valley," saying, "Hope in the Valley is something new that we're starting this year," and that "the proceeds from that show will go toward that organization, to work on mental health in the community." She said the Aug. 8 concert will include food trucks, a silent auction and a meet-and-greet after the 7:00 p.m. performance.
Why it matters: The council tied programming to local needs by directing benefit proceeds to Bridge to Healing Foundation to support counseling for people with PTSD, and by scheduling outreach and testimonial elements during the evening.
What the season includes: Kisner and host James highlighted several headliners and dates. The season opens with The Players (a group that includes former members associated with Chicago and artists linked to Peter Frampton and the Doobie Brothers) on Sept. 24. October’s "Tribute to the Troops" will feature three female vocalists backed by a band and a veteran ticket discount. Other announced shows include a Michael Bublé tribute in November, John Berry on Dec. 3, a Jan. 28 country act (referred to in the conversation as Susie Bogus), a February tribute blending Foreigner and Journey material, "Sounds of Greenwich Village" on March 11 and a season-closing performance in April by Steve Lippio with the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra.
Tickets and discounts: Season subscriptions go on sale the Monday following the broadcast, with individual tickets available beginning Aug. 3, and Kisner announced a 20% discount for an eight-show season package in honor of the council’s 50th anniversary. "The total would be $343.54, which is actually less than $43 a show," Kisner said, presenting the discounted package price.
Logistics and contacts: Kisner described event logistics for the Aug. 8 benefit—food trucks beginning at about 5:00 p.m., lobby access at 6:00 p.m., theater doors at 6:30 p.m., and a 7:00 p.m. showtime—and directed listeners to savorthearts.com for tickets and information. She also provided a contact phone number and a physical location for the performing arts center in Wisconsin Rapids.
The Arts Council framed the anniversary season as both cultural programming and a way to funnel community support to local nonprofits, veterans and youth through outreach, reduced-price offerings and on-site fundraisers. Season-ticket purchasers were encouraged to act during the announced sales windows.
