Dassel-Cokato Performing Arts Center
Having finished its fifth season at the Performing Arts Center (PAC), the Dassel-Cokato Arts Association is planning another year of low-cost family entertainment.
The PAC was built in 2004, and began entertaining audiences with big-name acts in 2005 including the Minnesota Orchestra, Tonic Sol-fa, and Lorie Line.
The 800-seat, air-conditioned auditorium is located on the DC high school and middle school campus. Its state-of-the art sound and light equipment gives a professional theatre atmosphere that entertainers want to keep coming back to.
Many of the events performed at the PAC are hosted by the Dassel-Cokato Arts Association, a nonprofit organization created to support fine arts around the area and to bring quality entertainment to the DC community.
For a nominal tax-deductible donation, a person can join the arts association and enjoy the benefits of purchasing advanced tickets, attending special member receptions, having voting privileges at annual meetings, and other “members only” opportunities.
A highlight of its 2009-10 season was Todd Green, who performed music with more than 30 unique and even exotic instruments from around the world.
Green also provided two workshops to the school district; one for high school music students, and another for all the middle school students.
This educational component is something the arts association strives to do at least with one of the acts per year, at no cost to the school district, said Colleen Compton, executive director of the arts association.
Some other highlights from the past season include the Monroe Crossing Christmas concert, the Neuss Chamber Orchestra from Neuss, Germany; and Cirque Caberet, which provided unique circus-like entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.
The Dassel-Cokato Community Theatre is also co-sponsored by the DC Arts Association and Dassel-Cokato Community Education.
Typically, there is a summer production at the PAC and a winter production at the Dassel History Center and Ergot Museum.
The summer 2010 production is the musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”
Past productions have including “More Fun Than Bowling” and “Little Me.”
Plans for the 2010-11 season include a Christmas show by the O’Neil Brothers featuring two brothers performing on grand pianos along with Katie McMahon, the original voice of River Dance. Also this year, the Lake Wobegan Brass Band will be back for its second show at the PAC.
Also coming are Rhythmic Circus and the Willmar Area Symphonic Orchestra.
For more information and a schedule of dates and times for upcoming events, visit the website at www.dc.k12.mn.us/artscenter. A seating chart can be viewed on the site, as well.
Tickets can be ordered online or by calling (320) 286-4120. The PAC is located between Dassel and Cokato on Highway 12 in the DC High School/Middle School complex.
