25 May 2005

2004-2005 ArtsNorthridge Season Wraps With Highest Income Ever Led By The Record-Breaking Box Office Champ-Linda Eder!

Northridge, CA: It was announced today that the 2004-2005 ArtsNorthridge season at the Performing Arts Center at California State University, Northridge ended with the highest gross income in its seven year history. “We are indeed proud of the ongoing support by the campus and the community in the performances we are presenting,” said William Toutant, Dean of the College of Arts, Media, and Communication, “But we are also keenly aware of how much work there is yet to be done as we expand our horizons for larger audiences and performance spaces.” The overall attendance was up 5% this year with a significant increase in student attendance. The total student/campus audience jumped from 17% last season to a staggering 41% of this season’s total paid audience.

The ongoing state budget crisis has impacted the Performing Arts Center, along with every other department and unit on campus. It has also been reported that nationally, ticket sales and revenue are behind previous years for all live performance at centers across the country. But in the face of these financial challenges, the PAC has been able to maintain a stable presenting roster and operation.

Linda Eder Lights The Sky
Linda Eder proved to be the star with the power to light up ticket sales. She is the highest grossing event to date for individual tickets and in overall sales. Linda literally sold out her performances on the strength of a few well placed ads in major publications.

The all time big winners to play at the PAC in order of sales and popularity are: Linda Eder, Judy Collins, Tango Pasión, Dame Cleo Laine and John Dankworth, The Saint Petersburg Opera and Ailey II Dance Company.

The other popular events of the 2004-05 season included a spectacular performance and residency by the Limon Dance Company, State Street Ballet’s tribute to Swing, Vicki Lawrence and Mama: A Two Woman Show and Riders in the Sky, Cowboy Christmas 2.

The PAC also began an ongoing relationship with the internationally recognized painter- sculptor artist Andre Miripolsky. He created two originals murals and mounted signed original lithographs of his thought-provoking series of works entitled, Fear No Art. Miripolsky’s work will remain on display in the lobby thru December 2005.
A Glance Ahead
The 2005-2006 season highlights include a concert by the new reigning diva of the Metropolitan Opera, Angela M. Brown, a performance by the provocative Parsons Dance Company, the return of both State Street Ballet and Chilean super group, Inti-Illimani. More events will be announced soon with some very special surprises in store for all! Tickets for the new season are scheduled to go on sale August 15.

The Performing Arts Center is located on Zelzah Avenue, between Prairie and Plummer Streets in the Student Union Complex. Patrons should use Parking Lot G4 and are required to purchase a $4 parking permit for all performances on the CSUN campus.

For more information contact:
William C. Martin, Artistic Director and Marketing for the Performing Arts Center:
818-677-7687, Fax 818-677-6617 or e-mail: william.c.martin@csun.edu

High-resolution photographs (300dpi) are available for download at http://www.cvpa.csun.com/newsflash_imageArch.html