The Middle Township's Performing Arts Center, PAC, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this month with full lineup of holiday-themed performances and a mid-month anniversary celebration set for Sunday, Dec. 16.
PAC Director Kay Aspell said PAC has served its community and visitors for the past two decades, providing a stage for Middle Township and Dennis Township students, its community and its many visiting professional performers.
The Dec. 16 anniversary celebration will include an open house and guided tours of the facility, followed by a free concert by The John Walters Cape Community Band. The event is meant to showcase all PAC has to offer and to thank its loyal patrons for their years of support.
"This building was put here by the Middle Township residents," Aspell said. "They built it with the forethought that it will stand for future generations to keep the arts alive in Middle Township. At the time, it was huge for the voters of Middle Township to say, 'OK, we'll pay for this.'"
Box office manager Terry Hand said that, when PAC was built in 1992. it was a completely state-of-the-art facility and the only performing arts center in the area.
"Our kids never had to go without," Hand said.
The 1,000-seat facility still is top notch, Aspell said.
The facility has a light board that can handle all the colors of the rainbow, moving lights "that add a different dimension to the stage" and eight LED lights "that move to the music or shine up to give that ambiance."
PAC has a brand new sound board that can accommodate 24 microphones at one time and a fly system, which is a system of ropes and pulleys that allows the stage crew to quickly, quietly and safely move curtains, scenery and people across the stage.
"In March, we're doing Aladdin, and Aladdin will fly," Aspell said.
The PAC guided tours will take visitors the behind the scenes to see the inner workings of the facility including the backstage, dressing room, catwalk, electrical room and more.
Aspell said over the past 20 years, some Middle Township residents have moved away and others have moved to the area.
"I felt that they should know what is in their area," she said. "I don't think that people realize yet what we do here, what we can do here, so I'm hoping (the anniversary celebration) will be a reaffirmation for some people and a revelation for others."
Contact Elisa Lala:
609-463-6713
If you go
What: PAC's 20 Year Anniversary Celebration - open house and concert by The John Walters Cape Community Band.
When: Sunday, Dec. 16. Tours start at 1:30 p.m., concert starts at 3 p.m.
Where: Middle Township PAC, 212 Bayberry Drive, Cape May Court House.
Cost: Free
Refreshments will be provided. Call 609-463-1924.
