MVPAC To Return With Short Season

By CORINNE MESSER

The Progress

After nearly a two year hiatus, the Moapa Valley Performing Arts Council (MVPAC) is pleased to announce there will be a 2022-23 season!

The MVPAC hasn’t had any performances since the early spring of 2020, explained MVPAC President Charlie Cooper.
“We had just completed the Missoula Children’s Theater production and were looking forward to the Zephyr’s Spring concert when the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly halted our season,“ Cooper said.

Cooper explained that the MVPAC relies mainly on CCSD facilities as the venue for most of its performances. Restrictions on CCSD building usage during COVID have discouraged the organization from scheduling anything.

“We are highly conscious of our funds and didn’t want to make deposits to book performers when we knew the venue could cancel,” Cooper said.

MVPAC did consider holding events outside, Cooper said. But both Cooper and MVPAC presenter Jamie Burt commented the organization lacked the correct sound system and lighting to do so. They would like to have that option, but do not currently have the funds to purchase the needed equipment.

“In the past I would begin to schedule the various performances a year in advance and the season ran September through April,” said Jamie Burt. “But this year, the COVID-19 restrictions from CCSD didn’t drop to the low category until right before school started, making it impossible to book performers without a venue secured.”

As a result, MVPAC is planning only a partial season this year.
With the shortened schedule, there will not be the traditional season ticket. Tickets will only be sold at the show, with possibly a family pass available. The Council is hoping to have their first performance in November which Burt is currently working on securing.

In December MVPAC will be presenting the Zephyr Concert and the Messiah.

Zephyr Singer’s director, Gaye Nelson, said her group is already practicing for their December concert. “We are excited to be singing one of Flo Lund’s original compositions,” stated Nelson.
Lund was the founder of Zephyr Singers and directed the group until Nelson took it over in 2009 after Lund moved away.

The Moapa Valley Talent Showcase is tentatively slated for January. In addition, the MVPAC is planning to present Shakespeare-in-the-Schools, Missoula Children’s Theatre and a Spring Zephyr Concert in the following months.

“We are excited to be functioning again,” Cooper said. “We appreciate everyone’s support during the pandemic. We even had donations during that time, which we are grateful for. We are working with a limited budget and have found that everything has gone up in price.”

The MVPAC was formed nearly 30 years ago. It is a “non-profit community organization whose purpose is to foster the awareness, understanding and appreciation of a broad spectrum of the performing arts among all the people of Moapa Valley,” according to its website at moapavalleyarts.org.

Donations are gratefully accepted and are tax deductible. They help MVPAC bring professional artists to the community. Donations may be sent to MVPAC at PO Box 1617; Overton, NV 89040.