For over two decades, The Arts Council in Gainesville has delighted local audiences with a variety of concerts, plays, musicals and performances as a part of the Arts Council Pearce Series. The 2007 season will be no different as The Arts Council presents the 2007 Arts Council Pearce Series.

      Opening the 2007 season of the Arts Council Pearce Series on Sunday, March 4, 2007 is Cirque le Masque: Fire and Ice, which brings to the Gainesville area a most unique circus.  There are no animals, no rubber-shoe-wearing, red-nosed clowns and no tent.  "It's more of a theater circus production," says Dennis Schussel, owner and creative director of Cirque le Masque.  "It was a dream of mine to create a giant circus production without animals that will appeal to all ages."  Cirque le Masque has been around for 15 years traveling the globe with gravity-defying acts, acrobatics and dance routines.  This has led people to compare it to another famous 'cirque'.  "It's the same style show as Cirque de Soliel, which created a show of human art" Schussel said.  There are the usual gymnasts contorting their bodies like rubber, trapeze artists swing around and dancers swirling in the air in silk acts.  However, it is not as big a production as Cirque de Soliel says Schussel.  Everything is linked to the theme, from the music to the choreography to the costumes.  "I want it to be fun for a five year old and sophisticated for 16 to 90+ year olds" said Schussel.   Cirque le Masque will be presented in Pearce Auditorium - Brenau University .

      A bit of southern charm will warm your heart as the 2007 ACPS continues with "Driving Miss Daisy" on Monday, May 7, 2007.  Starring in the role of Hoke is Antonio Fargas.  Fargas may best be remembered for his role as "Huggy Bear" on the Starsky and Hutch television series.  Currently he is in Everyone Hates Chris on the CW network.  At press time the role of Miss Daisy has not been solidified.  Set in the Deep South in the late 1940's, this story is a series of absorbing, revealing scenes spanning some 25 years and filled with warm humor and glinting insights.  The two principals of the story despite their mutual

differences grow ever closer and more dependent on each other.  In the end it is also movingly clear that both of them have come to realize that they have more in common than they ever believed possible or that times and circumstances would ever allow them to publicly admit.  Driving Miss Daisy will be presented in Pearce Auditorium - Brenau University .

      Rounding out this year's Arts Council Pearce Series is the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra on July 20^th marking their 32^nd consecutive year performing in Gainesville . Regarded as one of the most creative and innovative orchestras in North America , the 95-member orchestra serves as the cornerstone for musical performance and training in the Atlanta-metro area and far beyond. The ASO has drawn national praise and has won 21 Grammy awards, including three last year. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will perform under the stars on the lawn of the Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center . Table reservations can be made for groups of six or eight, so be sure to get your tickets and reservations early.

      The Arts Council is partnering with one of its Affiliate Arts Organizations (Gainesville ProMusica Concert Series) to present a special tribute concert honoring Jack Howorth the long-time Executive Director of ProMusica who passed away last year.  The tribute will be a percussion extravaganza featuring the Atlanta Percussion Trio and Chix with Stix along with other guest artists.  ACPS Series ticket holders will be able to add this special tribute concert to their series package for only $5.

      Series tickets for all 3 shows of the 2007 Arts Council Pearce Series are available for $85, a savings of $20 over the individual ticket price. For an additional $5 you can add the ProMusica Concert Series Tribute concert to Jack Howorth set for March 6, 2007 at Pearce Auditorium.  Individual ticket prices are as follows: Cirque le Masque - $35 for adults, $32 for seniors and $28 for students; Driving Miss Daisy - $35 for adults, $32 for seniors and $28 for students; Atlanta Symphony Orchestra - $35 for adults, $32 for seniors and $28 for students. 

      To order tickets, contact The Arts Council at 770-534-2787 or order online at www.theartscouncil.net. For directions to either venue please send your request to info@theartscouncil.net.

      For photos please contact: Cirque le Masque at www.cirquelemasque.com and Driving Miss Daisy contact: www.castproductions.com.

Cheryl Smith, Regional Tourism Representative
Georgia Department of Economic Development
Georgia Tourism Division - Northeast Georgia Mountains Region
PO Box 3116, Gainesville, GA 30503
P: 770-535-5757/F: 770-535-5732

Visit Georgia today and Put Your Dreams in Motion!
Go to www.georgia.org or www.georgiamountains.org for great travel ideas!