As I sit in my office writing this update, I can't help but welcome the friendly distractions coming from the Center: students taking college prep courses, children learning magic at the Studio,  a journey down the yellow brick road as DJ Productions rehearses The Wizard of Oz, and the harmonizing sounds of the Oliver! score coming from the theatre.

It's the end of July and we just finished a successful Summer Camp season. With more than half of our 22 camps sold out and our high enrollment for Session V classes, I can't help but be pleased by the Center's continuous growth during the past 15 months.

So, what's next for the Center? 

We are preparing for some outstanding events as we reunite with partners like The Salerno Theatre and Hadassah, as well as embark on a new partnership with the Opera Tampa Chorus as they debut at the Center with A Most Musical Afternoon in August.

In October, The Salerno Theatre will produce Man of La Mancha, a play-within-a-play loosely based on the novel, Don Quixote, that tells the poignant story of a man who discovers his own noble calling in the twilight of his life. Audiences will join his spirited adventures as he faces foes and doubters, beguiling everyone he meets with his unshakeable spirit.     

 

During the next six months, we will also present several new fundraising programs and events.  We are proud to announce that the Center will host a fundraiser in October.  The event, a Masquerade Ball, was inspired by artistic images in pop culture such as Phantom of the Opera and Romeo and Juliet. We are currently working to secure sponsors for this great event, which will be vital in reaching our goals. I encourage anyone interested in sponsorships (either talking to, or becoming a potential sponsor) to download a sponsorship kit, which outlines needs and advertising opportunities for companies and individual contributors.

 

Another successful portion of our organization continues to be our rentals program. The program has helped provide people with a beautiful, affordable location for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, recitals, meetings, trainings and more. Through the rentals program, we look forward to continuing our partnership with groups like Hillsborough County, Feather Princesses, the Gulf Coast Youth Choir and local HOAs.

 

The Carrollwood Cultural Center has seen tremendous growth in its short life and continues to grow as we strive to become your organization of choice when you are looking to take an interesting class, see an incredible event, host an event or just need a location to get a cup of coffee, hop on your laptop and take advantage of our free WiFi.

 

We hope to see you at the Center, where culture meets community!

Paul Berg
Executive Director