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Here's to another 10 years

The performing arts venue will host five hours of free music Saturday to celebrate a decade of surprising success.

By TERRI BRYCE REEVES
Published August 14, 2006

LARGO - One of the first shows Colin Bissett booked when he arrived as the new manager of the Largo Cultural Center was Bill Haley's Comets.

And he'll never forget how, as the aging rockers played, the rhythm guitarist removed his upper dentures and put them in his pocket.

Then he got down on his knee to play the guitar and couldn't get up.

And, to top it all off, the bass guitarist lost his hearing aid.

"I was beside myself with anger and embarrassment," Bissett said. "But the funny thing was, the audience lapped it up."

He never booked the band again but discovered that these "boomer bands" are a huge hit.

And now, 10 years into the life of the Largo Cultural Center, that is one of the keys to its success.

The center once was a place for local theater, choral groups and dance recitals. But in recent years, it has blossomed into a venue for national touring acts including - new this fall - a Broadway series.

"We've expanded and become much more diverse," Bissett said. "We've booked everything from the Baha Men" - famous for Who Let the Dogs Out? - "to the Orlando Opera."

Other widely known acts have included Judy Collins, Lee Greenwood, Don McLean, Three Dog Night, Eric Burdon and the Animals, the Atlanta Rhythm Section, and Vanilla Fudge. They have all appeared at the center in the past three years, since Bissett was hired as manager.

And, on Saturday, the venue will celebrate its first decade with a birthday bash from 5 to 10 p.m. The free event features 10 musical acts, including country and reggae. A $100 black-tie fundraising gala will be held Sept. 30.

Many music fans have been introduced to the center through acts like Dave Mason or the Little River Band. And oldies and tribute bands have brought baby boomers in droves, Bissett said.

His secret for getting national tours at a price that a 333-seat venue can afford?

Book them midweek when they are already doing a Florida tour, he said.

This coming season, look for the sons of Dean Martin and Ricky Nelson, who will sing songs that their fathers made famous, as well as bands paying homage to Elvis, the Beatles and Led Zeppelin.

The season also offers performances from the real Bertie Higgins, Kingston Trio, and Gary Lewis and the Playboys.

There will be stage productions of Hansel and Gretel and Cinderella and a Broadway series that includes Children's Letters to God, Say Goodnight Gracie, and Urban Cowboy, the musical.

The Eight O'Clock Theatre, the center's resident performing arts group, will continue to bring local talent to the public, producing three musicals and two plays this coming year.

The center will strive to reach new and bigger audiences, said Mary Nolen, Largo's assistant director of recreation, parks and arts. The city staff has proposed a $15,000 study to explore seating capacity, beefed-up fundraising efforts, renovations and a new name.

"Our goal is to always remain a community performing arts venue but at the same time be a destination for those who want to see some really cool acts from around the country," she said.

PERFORMERS IN LARGO

FREE CONCERT

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the Largo Cultural Center, 105 Central Park Drive, in Largo Central Park will host a free concert from 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday with 10 musical acts, including country and reggae. Visit www.largoarts.com or call (727) 587-6793.

FUN FACTS

Beginnings: The $3.7-million center was built with a $600,000 bequest by Belleair Bluffs resident Marian Tonne, $592,000 in funds raised by Partners N Progress, tax dollars and a $1-million state grant.

Square footage: 25,000.

Seats: 333, as many as 400 when side seats are added. Festival-style events, during which patrons stand and seats are retracted, allow for 654 people.

First production: Camelot, presented by Eight O'Clock Theatre.

Annual number of public-ticketed events: More than 100.

[Last modified August 14, 2006, 06:31:51]