Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts announced the much-anticipated dates for a multi-day grand opening celebration, November 6-17, later this year, even as construction continues apace on the exterior brickwork and the signature cantilever roof.
The celebration will begin with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a variety of events, including a community open house; opening events for the Walt Disney and Alexis & Jim Pugh theaters; free community concerts; a gala; local arts group performances and a major opening event featuring national talent.
AEG Live, the nation’s second-largest concert promotion and touring company, was selected from a competitive bidding process to operate as the executive producer for the grand opening. Veteran producers John Valentino and Scott Gartner will manage the project. Valentino has extensive experience with performing arts centers and is credited with playing a significant role in helping Florida rank among the top three states in the nation for talent and entertainment. Gartner is most noted for his work with corporations and municipalities throughout the southeast region. AEG has produced several major events in Central Florida.
The grand opening date announcement is the first of several major announcements to come. Additional programs will be announced late January, followed by the grand opening entertainment lineup announcement in February and a Broadway season announcement in the spring.
“This is an incredibly exciting time for the center, the community and the region,” said Dr. Phillips Center President Kathy Ramsberger. “We have been watching history in the making for years and now, with this announcement, it’s even more real.”
“This is a 20-year vision coming to life and we are proud of the leadership, generosity and collaborations that brought us to this point,” added Ramsberger. “We are confident the grand opening will be a preview of what the center will be to Central Florida.”
