Ocean City took a major step forward in the arts and entertainment sector this week, as the latest addition to the Roland E. Powell Convention Center – the Performing Arts Center – officially opened its doors. We attended the inaugural event, which included guest speakers along with the 2015 Economic Development Summit. But first, let’s focus on the brand new, state-of-the-art facility.
The 1,200 seat auditorium and performing arts stage features state-of-the-art equipment, two tiers of fixed seating, dressing rooms, concession area and box office. “What an economic engine it’s going to be,” said Worcester County Economic Development Deputy Director Merry Mears, adding that the Performing Arts Center would boost off-season activity for the town by attracting visitors to the area to see shows and performances. “Everybody involved came together to make this happen, it’s a testament to everybody’s teamwork,” she added. Convention Center Director Larry Noccolino agreed that the Performing Arts Center was a welcome addition to the growing arts scene in Ocean City. “With the impact the Art League has already made…this really enhances that.”
The auditorium will host a wide range of events and performances, from lectures to concerts to ballet performances. “It really runs the gambit; there will be a little something for everyone,” said Niccolino. The Economic Summit was the first event to be held in the new auditorium, with the second to follow shortly after on December 13. National singing group The Texas Tenors will perform their holiday show, “Deep in the Heart of Christmas.” The Texas Tenors have performed for over 100 million people around the world and will be joined by The Reminders.
The Performing Arts Center will also be home to this year’s Mayor’s Open House on January 1. The event is typically held at City Hall but will take place at the Performing Arts Center instead this year. On January 17, the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra will take the stage for the official Ribbon Cutting, with a special performance by the OC Stars from Ocean City Elementary School. Another exciting event in the books is the Ballet Theater of Maryland’s performance of Cinderella, to be held May 7.
The inaugural event, the Economic Development Summit, went off without a hitch Wednesday, with guest speaker Dr. Aniban Basu providing an in-depth and entertaining (seriously, anyone who can rouse laughter during a speech on the economy deserves a medal) analysis of the local, national, and global economy. We caught up with Dr. Basu before the Summit to discuss economics on a local level. “Of all the economies in Maryland, it’s the case that Worcester County is the most seasonal. The question becomes, what problems does that create,” explained Dr. Basu. According to Dr. Basu, the key to steady economic growth in Worcester County lies in young, educated workers. With an area notable for its high quality of life (who doesn’t love living at the beach??) and excellent school system, Worcester County is actually an ideal place for young entrepreneurs to settle down. “There is no reason that Worcester County can’t be an entrepreneurial hotbed. There is a lot of potential here.”
Of course the slow but steady growth of our local arts scene can only serve to bolster that notion, adding to the overall quality of life in Ocean City.
It’s no secret that the ShoreBread staff loves attending as many cultural events as we possibly can, so we couldn’t be happier about the recent addition to Ocean City. Stay tuned for more ShoreBread coverage of all the Performing Arts Center events!
For more information on Ocean City’s Performing Arts Center and the Ocean City Convention Center, visit www.ocmdconventioncenter.com.
