As organizers work feverishly on last minute details for this weekend's opening, Simsbury Performing Arts Center board chairman Bob Hensley is thrilled to have Harry Connick Jr. kick off the season.
"This is huge to have Harry Connick Jr. here as a first show," Hensley said. "It's kind of a coup in a way."
The show takes place at 8 p.m. Saturday June 22 at the center, located in Simsbury Meadows off Iron Horse Boulevard.
The ticket booth at the facility will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and from 10 a.m. until show time on Saturday. They can also be purchased on ticketmaster, starting at $45.65.
No outside food or drink can be brought in for the show but organizers said a wide variety will be available for purchase.
The concert is the first in a series that will be presented by The Bushnell in conjunction with Premier Concerts and Kirschner Concerts.
Other shows include Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell on July 16 and Peter Frampton on Aug. 7.
Hensley said working with one promoter was one suggestion recommended by Webb Management, a New York Consulting firm that conducted a study of the facility for the town.
The arts center is also working on other changes, such as a goal to transfer operations to a non-profit board by next year.
The facility made about $8,000 last year, said Hensley, who feels this one could be even better.
"If we get a break on the weather, we could do very well for this facility," he said.
Many businesses have stepped up to sponsor the shows.
"We've had great community sponsorship and support," Hensley said.
In addition, the arts center will once again be the summer home for the Hartford Symphony Orchestra's Talcott Mountain Music Festival.
The first in that series is Mozart in the Moonlight on June 28. Patrons can bring picnics to the symphony shows.
Find out more about the Performing Arts Center at http://www.simsbury-ct.gov/performing-arts-center
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