Ferguson Center for the Arts Celebrates Grand Opening
News Release - August 8, 2005
contact:
Bruce Bronstein
bruce.bronstein@cnu.edu
(757) 594-7791
Fax: 757.594.7006
(Newport News, VA) – After more than eight years of planning, the vision has become a reality. Christopher Newport University is proud to announce the grand opening of the Ferguson Center for the Arts Concert Hall on Monday, September 12, 2005, with a performance by Michael Crawford with Skitch Henderson and New York Pops. Indicative of the quality of CNU – one of the region’s top, selective public liberal arts universities – the Ferguson Center is a facility that is unrivaled in quality, acoustics and world-class entertainers.
The 1700-seat venue, designed by the prestigious architectural firm of Pei, Cobb, Freed, and Partners, has already become a Virginia landmark. “From the beginning, our purpose was to create a world-class center for the arts that would put this community and this center on the national and international arts map,” said University President Paul Trible. “And we have done just that.”
Truly a community project, the Ferguson Center for the Arts is the result of partnership between local government, higher-education and private industry. CNU President and former U.S. Senator and Congressman Paul Trible along with Newport News Mayor Joe Frank, and Ferguson Enterprises Chief Executive Chip Hornsby worked tirelessly to bring the project to fruition. “This season would not be possible without the vision of our community leaders and the continued generous support of the City of Newport News and surrounding municipalities, Ferguson Enterprises Inc. and many others in the community whose hard work and determination have helped make this dream a reality,” said William “Bill” Biddle, the center’s executive director.
Biddle has been hard at work for almost two years building an unparalleled season of artists and attractions. “World-class means different things to different people,” said Biddle. “I’ve worked hard to program to the diversity of the community so that the Ferguson Center offers world-class attractions that appeal to individual tastes.”
The season begins with a month-long grand opening celebration featuring some of the world’s most prestigious performers. Beginning with the Michael Crawford concert on September 12, the celebration continues with The Irish Tenors and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra on September 14, next is a very special performance by Hampton Roads native Bruce Hornsby. Hornsby has generously donated his September 17 performance in support of the new center.
Finishing out the first spectacular week is a world premiere performance. In honor of the grand opening, the Ferguson Center has commissioned famed choreographer David Parsons to create a new work for his dance company to the recordings of Dave Matthews. This special world premiere event, to take place on September 24, is the first step in affirming the Ferguson Center’s commitment to bringing diverse audiences to the center and supporting the creative efforts of artists.
The grand opening month culminates with performances by the master of blues B.B. King on September 25, legendary country star Vince Gill on September 30, and Grammy, Emmy, Oscar, and Tony Award winning composer Marvin Hamlisch on October 1.
But the celebration continues. The season includes over 40 stellar attractions from 14 different nations – everything from ballet to country music, chamber music to comedians, and opera to Broadway musicals will visit the Ferguson Center. The Ferguson Center for the Arts at Christopher Newport University is truly Virginia’s new home for the finest artists in the world. For more information about our exciting season visit us on the web at www.cnu.edu/fergusoncenter and join our e-club. For information on tickets or to request a brochure, call the Ferguson Center Ticket Office at (757) 594-8752.
Ferguson Center for the Arts is the nonprofit performing arts facility of Christopher Newport University. The Ferguson Center Ticket Office can be contacted at (757) 594-8752; on the Internet at www.cnu.edu/fergusoncenter.
Christopher Newport University is a four-year public university in Newport News, Virginia. CNU enrolls 4,800 students through its College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the School of Business. CNU's faculty and staff of nearly 1,000 focus on "students first," outstanding teaching, access and opportunity, liberal learning and is committed to leadership in the community and the Commonwealth. Visit us at www.cnu.edu.