Michael Chess reads Niagara Centre Stage Experience

Those wanting the scoop on the best artists coming to Brock need look no further than 48 glossy pages.

Niagara Centre Stage Experience, a new magazine from the Centre for the Arts, will keep Niagara informed about upcoming programs and appearances. Michael Chess, marketing production co-ordinator, sees it as eventually becoming a go-to publication for the regional performing arts scene, with features on singers, dancers, and local productions.

Centre Stage will launch this month with a variety of stories focusing on upcoming artists performing at the Centre for the Arts, especially those who aren’t commonly known, Chess said.

“Not all of our acts are household names, but all of our acts are hand-picked for their high level of quality,” he said. “The magazine will give people insight into why we’re booking these acts. A lot of people have told us that the best shows they’ve seen here are by the acts they’ve never heard of.

“We encourage people to take a chance on these artists and discover something new. Not everyone knew Leahy when they first appeared here in 1997. Now they are kicking off our season with a sold out performance.”

The magazine replaces a smaller, digest-sized black and white playbill that was distributed at Centre for the Arts shows.

The first issue, published this month, will be distributed to all show attendees, around campus and at partnering businesses such as the Pen Centre, Critelli’s Fine Furniture and The Office Tap and Grill. The magazine will be released three times a year. Eventually, it could have wider distribution and direct home delivery, Chess said.

The first issue includes a cover story with Grammy-winning hit maker Richard Marx, as well as articles on influential dancer/choreographer Alvin Ailey and Legends Revisited, a series of shows paying tribute to legendary artists.

As for the magazine’s future content, Chess is also open to suggestions.

“It’ll be interesting to see how it evolves as we make the move downtown, and with input from members, sponsors and other arts groups,” he said.

The premiere edition of Niagara Centre Stage Experience is available digitally at arts.brocku.ca. It will be available at the box office as just prior to Howie Mandel’s performance on Oct. 13.

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