As the COVID-19 pandemic wanes, ticket sales at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center are going back up.
Bowlus Director Dan Kays gave the good news update on Monday to USD 257 board members, who also oversee the Bowlus. The school board traditionally meets at the Bowlus once a year, giving members an opportunity to learn the latest updates at the facility and check in with commission members and the Friends of the Bowlus board.
Ticket sales so far this year are about $13,000 more than projected, with three shows left in the season.
Kays said he was very conservative when projecting revenue estimates because of the unknown factors associated with the COVID pandemic. The Bowlus canceled some shows during the 2020 season because of the pandemic, but offered nearly a full slate in 2021 with various safety precautions and restrictions including reduced seating capacity for social distancing.
Those fewer seats meant fewer ticket sales.
As restrictions eased and a vaccine became available, ticket sales have ramped back up.
Kays projected $30,000 in revenue for the 2021 season; ticket sales are around $43,000 now.
“That means people are coming out and coming to shows,” Kays said. “They like what we’re doing as we’re coming out of COVID.”
The next performance, the Celtic Angels Ireland, is at 7 p.m. Friday, March 25 and is proving quite popular, Kays said. Seats in the main auditorium are nearly sold out.
KAYS also gave a preview of some of the shows coming in 2022, though he did not want details revealed because some contracts are still being negotiated.
The “Music Series” and “Family Series” will each offer a set of four performances. There’s also a “Recital Series” and a “Speaker Series,” with three shows each.
The 2022 Music Series is likely to feature a Latino rock band, a rockabilly show, a jazz trio and an emerging country music group and TikTok sensation featuring triplets.
The Family Series could include an act rescheduled because of the pandemic that features interactive art and music. Kays said he’s very excited about a Broadway music group planned to offer a Christmas show. Two other acts could feature a combination of music and cartoons, and comedy and magic.
The Recital Series could include a pianist; a guitarist; and a traditional trio of violin, cello and piano.
The Speaker Series is still being booked, with at least one well-known speaker likely to visit.
The series also will tie into the Buster Keaton Festival with “Gene Kelly, the Legacy.” His widow is scheduled to present a special program about the iconic dancer and actor at the Bowlus. Movies featuring Kelly also will be shown during the festival.
IN ADDITION to his report about the Bowlus shows, Kays also gave updates on improvements to the facilities.
He may turn to Facebook to let the public vote for their choice between two art sculptures that will be displayed in a new parking lot.
Also, he expects to ask for bids soon for improvements to a new fire alarm system.
He also told board members about a recent HVAC project.
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