ARTS CENTER LOOKS FOR BIGGER PROFITS.Byline: Ann-Marie Sanchez Daily News Staff Writer Rita Moreno packed the house, rhythm and blues rhythm and blues (R&B) Any of several closely related musical styles developed by African American artists. The various styles were based on a mingling of European influences with jazz rhythms and tonal inflections, particularly syncopation and the flatted blues chords. artist Michael Blade rocked it and the play ``Of Mice and Men'' pulled 'em in by the hundreds. Entertainer Shirley Jones Shirley Mae Jones (born March 31, 1934) is an Academy Award-winning singer and actress, perhaps best known for her role as "Shirley Partridge," the widowed single mother of five children, in the television series The Partridge Family is scheduled for the Cultural Arts Center's Nov. 2 anniversary celebration, which will start the new season. Center officials say they want more events like these, the kind of entertainment that draws big crowds and brings in profits. ``It is still a broad range of events and will be for the next 18 months,'' said general manager David Ralphe. ``After nine months, we're beginning to see patterns of attendance.'' Ralphe said the center plans to add more theater productions, comedy and children's programming to lure locals to the fledgling arts center. The center houses a 260-seat theater, large multipurpose mul·ti·pur·pose adj. Designed or used for several purposes: a multipurpose room; multipurpose software. multipurpose Adjective room and two galleries. Since opening, the center has hosted an array of talent and events inside the converted Methodist church ranging from entertainer Rita Moreno to rock concerts with such bands as Wooden Circus, Katja's Dream and Joshua's Path. Some shows such as an old-time film series and a sitar sitar (sĭtär`), fretted string instrument with a gourdlike body and a long neck, similar to the lute. It has from 3 to 7 gut strings, tuned in fourths or fifths (or both), and a lower course of 12 wire strings that vibrate sympathetically with concert drew only small crowds. Officials cited lack of interest by the public, insufficient promotion or awareness about the center for the failure of some of its first-year events. But the center is preparing to launch a revamped marketing plan focusing on mailers, advertising and a more targeted approach to luring patrons. Discount coupons sent to 3,500 homes, advertising on residents' water bills and full-page ads are some of the lures they hope will generate 70 percent of the center's $240,000 operating budget Noun 1. operating budget - a budget for current expenses as distinct from financial transactions or permanent improvements budget items, operating cost, operating expense, overhead - the expense of maintaining property (e.g. . ``What we attempt to do is get at least 70 percent of operating budget and we're close to that right now,'' Ralphe said. ``In three years, we're hopeful the budget will be higher, so the ability to bring in big names will improve and box-office sales will improve.'' TOP FIVE DRAWS During its first year the top five acts to appear at the Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. Cultural Arts Center were: Rhythm and blues artist Michael Blade ``Of Mice and Men'' by John Steinbeck Noun 1. John Steinbeck - United States writer noted for his novels about agricultural workers (1902-1968) John Ernst Steinbeck, Steinbeck Santa Susana Community Symphony Concerts ``The Miracle Worker,'' by William Gibson Rita Moreno during the grand opening in November. CAPTION(S): Box Box: TOP FIVE DRAWS (see text) |
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