Boerne has become well-known for its art galleries and festivals, Mom-and-Pop eateries, and independently owned boutique shops filled with handcrafted goods. In late 2011, a dedicated group of residents banded together to offer a new dimension of arts for the area, and thus Boerne’s first and only professional performing arts organization was born.
In Boerne Performing Arts’ first season in 2012, it delivered three sold-out shows at the Champion High School Auditorium, ranging from amazing dance performances by TAO: The Art of the Drum to Bowfire and the world-renowned Vienna Boys Choir. The overwhelming community response to the inaugural season was a welcome relief and resounding endorsement that the efforts of the BPA Committee and its supporters were worthwhile. “To fill up all three shows with just a few months to promote them was incredible in a small community,” said Charlie Hill, Vice President of Marketing and Development for Cordillera Ranch, a sponsor of the organization. “It was a testament to the high quality shows selected and the efforts by Sue Talford, Carol Schultz, Dan Rogers, and all of the committee members that worked tirelessly to organize and market these events.”
Boerne Performing Arts’ mission to encourage participation in the arts and to foster a relationship between the town and performing artists has been enormously successful in its debut year. As a result of the community’s generous offering of sponsorships, donations, and grants, Boerne Performing Arts’ will provide an arts outreach program for the local schools of Kendall County. A one-hour production by each of the visiting artists will take place for 3,000 local children during school hours at no cost to the students. The organization’s second season, set to being in early 2013, has a schedule that will only improve upon the first.
Kicking off the performances of the new year is Drumline Live, a mash-up of a traditional marching band performance and original, spirited choreography backdropped by jazz-inspired renditions of popular modern music. Based on the Historically Black College and University marching band tradition, the show is guaranteed to be vibrantly colorful, rhythmically mesmerizing, and exhilaratingly energetic. The band and dance collaboration has been complimented by the Springfield New Sun as the show that “could very well out-stomp ‘STOMP’ and out-blast ‘BLAST!’” Drumline Live performs on Wednesday, January 30, 2013.
The next show of the year is classical in style and unsurpassable in familial talent. The 5 Browns is comprised of five siblings, all in their 20s, who attended New York’s Juilliard School and tour extensively around the globe as exclusive Steinway artists. Since being dubbed the “Fab Five” by People Magazine, they have been featured on Oprah, 60 Minutes, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show, and the list goes on. The Sarasota Herald Tribune says of the show: “One can only celebrate the unabashed joy and love of music heard and seen in the performances of The 5 Browns.” The 5 Browns take the stage in Boerne on Saturday, February 9, 2013.
Boerne will get a taste of Ireland in 2013 with the arrival of Celtic Nights, a showcase of traditional Celtic dances and folksongs that weave a story of Irish culture and heritage. From intensely upbeat tap routines to emotionally moving ballads, Ireland’s history is expressed on stage in an energetic and inspirational approach. The Guardian lends its praise to the Irish troupe in its review of the show: “No wonder this unmissable two hour spectacular has brought audiences to their feet all over the world!” Celtic Nights takes the stage in a tap-dancing frenzy on Saturday, February 23, 2013.
Tickets to the world-class performances are available for purchase at the Greater Boerne Chamber of Commerce and the Boerne Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Thanks to the Boerne Performing Arts, Members of The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch also have an exclusive opportunity to attend a private event, “An Evening with The 5 Browns” on Friday, February 8, 2013. The 5 Browns will be joining members at the Cordillera Ranch Clubhouse for a fireside chat as they discuss their success as siblings, musicians, and Juilliard graduates.
For more information on the 2013 performances and Boerne Performing Arts, please visit www.boerneperformingarts.com or call 830-331-9079.
