Who’d a thunk it? Despite being plagued by downpours and damp days throughout most of its length, the last-minute cancellation of jazz series headliner Shirley Horne’s concert, and a main theatre production so unpopular that box office administrators began discounting tickets for it as early as the festival’s opening weekend … Spoleto Festival USA managed to break yet another box office record — making this the third year in a row they’ve beaten the previous year’s sales. Total box office reciepts this year came in at $2.532 million: $2,000 more than 2005’s box office, but an improvement no less, particularly considering the weather and other programming factors that had many speculating sales would nosedive for this year. It’s nice to see the cynics were proved wrong.
Box Office Bonanza!
Spoleto Soirée Ticket Prices Slashed
It seems that as of today Spoleto box office administrators have decided to offer tickets for this Saturday’s big Spoleto Soirée — originally available only as a package with that night’s performance by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago — as a stand-alone option. Package tickets are still available for $75, but if you wish to attend the bash by itself, you can get tickets for a mere $35, which includes several open bars, Chi-town chow, and entertainment from the Joe Clarke Big Band. Not a bad deal. (Hint: get ’em at the Gaillard box office instead of ordering via the internet to avoid service charges.)
Hasta la Vista, Horne
Looks like Spoleto’s schedule has already suffered its first casualty. Yesterday they announced that jazz legend Shirley Horn — definitely the anchor of the festival’s Wachovia Jazz Series this year — has been forced to cancel her one-night appearance due to a medical emergency. Apparently jazz songstress Dianne Reeves, who last visited Spoleto in 2002, will step into Horne’s June 4 date on the stage at the Gaillard. Spoleto says previously purchased tickets to Horne’s show will be honored, and the date and time (8pm) remain the same.
While Horne’s decision to bow out is a blow to the festival, it’s cushioned by the fact that this year’s Jazz Series is exceptionally well-stocked with talent. There’s still Kate McGarry, Guinga, the André Mehmari Trio, Renaud Garcia-Fons, and the Tord Gustavson Trio to take up the slack. And Dianne Reeves is no slouch herself.