Middle PAC to Celebrate 20th Anniversary

COURT HOUSE – When the Performing Arts Center of Middle Township celebrates its 20th anniversary in December, it will present nine programs that represent the original intent of its founders a little more than two decades ago.
Educators and arts enthusiasts came together then and pledged that they would create an arts center to serve a dual purpose, first for the educational community and secondly for the public at large.
“Their goal was to provide a venue for local and other groups, professional and amateur, to perform in an atmosphere that will enhance their presentations and properly showcase them in the heart of Cape May County,” said Kay Aspell, a former teacher who now is the managing director of The PAC. “What has happened in the ensuing years is a happy marriage of the arts and education, and our programs in December are examples of how it has all come together.”
One of the major attractions that illustrates the successful coalition among the arts, education and the public in general is the appearance on Dec. 9 for two performances of the New Jersey Ballet’s production of “The Nutcracker.”
The professional company, based in North Jersey, has made The PAC its South Jersey home since 1993 and for the past nine years it has used the talents of many local youngsters from the Art of Gymnastics and Cheer Company in Rio Grande to perform in the Mother Ginger’s Clown Children segment of “The Nutcracker.” They join professional dancers in the production from many foreign nations from as faraway as Europe, South America and Asia.
Cape May County’s John Walters Community Band, directed by Richard Ludwig, former director of the high school’s often prize winning marching band, will use the PAC stage on Sunday afternoon, Dec 16, at 3, for a concert as part of a big party planned for that afternoon for PAC’s 20th birthday. The partying begins at 130 p.m. with tours of the building and refreshments will be served The public is invited and the music,, the tours and the food are all free.
Much more is scheduled for December as a tribute to the origination of the 1,000 seat, state-of-the-art facility. On Dec. 2, Dance Dyamics,one of several dance companies that perform at The PAC each year, will present its Christmas show.” Two nights later on Dec. 4, the Middle Township High School Band will present its annual holiday concert and on the night of Dec. 5 it will be the turn of elementary school 2 to offer its Yule concert. The high school and elementary school 4 choirs will offer their holiday concerts on the night of Dec. 6.
And pupils from Dennis Township, a sending district to Middle Township High School, will get a preview of their high school days when they take to the big stage of The PAC on the night of Dec. 13 to present their holiday concert.
The following night, Dec. 14, The PAC will sponsor its highly popular Polar Express Movie Night. Kids and their parents are invited to wear their pajamas as they watch the Polar Express movie as make believe snow falls in the theater. And on the night of Dec. 15 the Middle Township Council for the Arts will present its holiday gift for the public with a free holiday variety show at The PAC.