MONROE - Ticket sales nationally for the performing arts are down by 19 percent, but that trend does not hold in Monroe.
On April 5, the Monroe Arts Center (MAC) sold out its concert by "The Duttons" at the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center (PAC), which seats over 700 people.
"We have been following the trend nationally and have been a little wary," said Bob Duxstad, president of the Monroe Arts Center's Board of Directors. "But this has been an extraordinary season for us. As far as I know, we have never previously sold out the PAC, but this year we have had two back-to-back sellouts."
The "Irish Rovers" played to a sold out crowd at the PAC on Feb. 29.
Duxstad said, "If the PAC had 200 more seats, they could have sold, too."
The Monroe Arts Center's concert hall also had two sell outs this season.
Despite bad weather, both the 'Austin Lounge Lizards' in December and 'The Taffetas' in February sold out.
Richard Daniels, executive director of the Monroe Arts Center, doesn't know why Monroe is immune to the national trend.
"Like Madison, Monroe is insulated to some extent from national economic trends," Daniels said. "Madison, because it is the seat of state government and has a major university; Monroe, because of its essential commercial base."
Despite the similarities, Madison's performing arts venues have been experiencing a drop off of audience attendance. The Madison Repertory Theater artistic director's contract wasn't renewed because of a lack of attendance at their shows.
Duxstad said Monroe's exceptional attendance records might be due in part to the rising cost of gasoline.
"When you can attend first-rate concerts around the corner, why drive to another city," Duxstad said. "The high cost of gasoline may have an upside for MAC. People now realize they can see great shows here."
Daniels said MAC is marketing its season differently.
The center packages its shows, something it didn't do in the past. This is the first season the MAC offered a package at the PAC.
"Advertising sells tickets," Daniels said. "I think we are experiencing the fruits of that ongoing partnership."
On April 5, the Monroe Arts Center (MAC) sold out its concert by "The Duttons" at the Monroe High School Performing Arts Center (PAC), which seats over 700 people.
"We have been following the trend nationally and have been a little wary," said Bob Duxstad, president of the Monroe Arts Center's Board of Directors. "But this has been an extraordinary season for us. As far as I know, we have never previously sold out the PAC, but this year we have had two back-to-back sellouts."
The "Irish Rovers" played to a sold out crowd at the PAC on Feb. 29.
Duxstad said, "If the PAC had 200 more seats, they could have sold, too."
The Monroe Arts Center's concert hall also had two sell outs this season.
Despite bad weather, both the 'Austin Lounge Lizards' in December and 'The Taffetas' in February sold out.
Richard Daniels, executive director of the Monroe Arts Center, doesn't know why Monroe is immune to the national trend.
"Like Madison, Monroe is insulated to some extent from national economic trends," Daniels said. "Madison, because it is the seat of state government and has a major university; Monroe, because of its essential commercial base."
Despite the similarities, Madison's performing arts venues have been experiencing a drop off of audience attendance. The Madison Repertory Theater artistic director's contract wasn't renewed because of a lack of attendance at their shows.
Duxstad said Monroe's exceptional attendance records might be due in part to the rising cost of gasoline.
"When you can attend first-rate concerts around the corner, why drive to another city," Duxstad said. "The high cost of gasoline may have an upside for MAC. People now realize they can see great shows here."
Daniels said MAC is marketing its season differently.
The center packages its shows, something it didn't do in the past. This is the first season the MAC offered a package at the PAC.
"Advertising sells tickets," Daniels said. "I think we are experiencing the fruits of that ongoing partnership."