The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center will be hosting its first Arts at the Oscar event on May 15, titled A Night of Stars, showcasing the community’s artistic talents in a variety of forms.
The event will be held at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center, and will begin at 5:15 p.m. with a social hour before beginning at 6 p.m. with a small opening ceremony continuing with a showcase and ending with headliner “The Kings of Soul & Swing.”
The Kings of Soul & Swing are a two man group consisting of Julius Thomas III, who has played Hamilton in “Hamilton: An American” Musical on Broadway, and Mark R. Kopitzke, a vocalist for the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
“The different showcase categories are going to be a group and individual of dance, drama, instrumental, vocal, visual arts and aerial arts,” said Katrina Weber, Oscar Larson marketing coordinator intern.
Weber said the event will be held throughout the entire building, using all the performing spaces and lobbies. Each showcase category will have its own area where guests can enjoy what is being offered, with The Kings of Soul & Swing in the Oscar Larson Theater.
The event has no age limit and instead will be putting their showcases into age groups, one for 17 and younger and another for 18 and older.
“It’s open to everyone,” Weber said. “It’s a true community event.”
Artists for the event have already been contacted. One artist being visual artists and Brookings Art Committee Director, Rachel Funk.
“Since my showcase is a visual art one, the preparation of my piece only includes making sure the hanging wire is still secure,” said Funk.
While her painting is already finished, her work in preparing the visual arts showcase is still ongoing. Funk has been contacting local Brookings artists, encouraging them to submit their work.
“We’ll have photography, sculpture, paintings, fiber art, and more on display,” Funk said. “There will also be a live demonstration element to the visual arts showcase.”
The live demonstration will include wood carvers from the Dakota Prairies Woodcarvers Guild showcasing their craft in the Fishback Studio Theater. Funk also hopes to have a ceramic artist demo and a life drawing session.
Michael Walsh, professor of clarinet and music history, will also be performing at the showcase alongside his graduate student, Joseph Cassady.
“The piece is for two clarinets and a piano by Franz Krommer,” Walsh said.
Walsh and Cassady will be on the clarinets, with a pianist by their side. Walsh is also helping with preparations for the event.
“My main job was to get the performers for the band to perform with the headline performance of the Kings of Soul & Swing,” said Walsh.
The band, consisting of saxophones, trumpets, a trombone and drums, all from Brookings, Sioux Falls and Vermillion.
Tickets for the event cost $33 including the ticketing fee. These tickets allow guests into the entire event, so no extra purchases are necessary.
“They can call the box office between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or purchase them online.” Said, Peyten Weise, box office coordinator intern and senior at SDSU.
The tickets can be found online at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center website. They are also available for purchase the day of the event at the box office.
“We’re hoping to sell 500 tickets,” said Weber.
Arts at the Oscar: A Night of Stars is an event to showcase the talent of Brookings and surrounding areas. It’s an event to connect people to individual artists and the community at large Weber said.
“My hope for this event is that our artists and performers feel truly seen and appreciated for the joy, depth, and connection they bring to our community,” said Funk. “And that attendees leave with a renewed appreciation and awareness of how essential the arts are.”
The event is also hoped to be continued, becoming an annual event to celebrate the community artists and what they bring to Brookings through their art.
“My hope is that the event is truly a celebration of the arts in the town of Brookings,” Walsh said. “It will be a great time so come one, come all!”