Dec. 20, 2001 – If you're still looking for a holiday "gift that keeps on giving" for friends or family members, the Reichhold Center for the Arts offers an entertaining option: a "2001-02 mid-season subscription."
There are four programs remaining on the season — Latin music diva Celia Cruz on Jan. 26, Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico on Feb. 23, reggae star Barrington Levy on March 23 and the 8th annual STARfest talent extravaganza on the weekends of May 11-12 and 19-20.
Mid-season subscriptions must be for all four presentations, with seating in the A (covered) or B sections. You can custom mix the A and B seats — which is helpful, "since the covered seating for the Celia Cruz show is already sold out!" Reichhold marketing manager Dionne Carty notes.
What you'll do is "Choose Your Own" series, as described on the Reichhold Center box office web page. The page lets you select your seats for each show and place your order by e-mail, fax, postal mail or in person. Elsewhere on the web site you can view video clips of Celia Cruz and Ballet Concierto.
Mid-season subscribers, like full season subscribers, are entitled to "a 10 percent discount on the total ticket price, preferential seating and invitations to exclusive artist events," Carty says.
Why bother to become a subscriber? Well, for one thing, it's actually less of a bother.
"Every act has been teriffic," Hurdle "Trip" Lea says of the dozens he's seen at the Reichhold, "but it's so easy to overlook the opportunity if you don't make the commitment ahead of time." That's one of the reasons he has been a subscriber since moving to St. Thomas five years ago. Another is that when you order tickets well in advance instead of waiting until the week — or the night — of the performance, "you get great seats," he adds.
Lea also notes that it is "very important" that Reichhold management "have the ongoing commitment and support early on so they can book acts with confidence."
Elesa Watlington, an energetic octogenarian who has been a full-season subscriber for as far back as she can remember, says "I always go to everything. I am the type of person who likes to learn things, know things and see things." That comes naturally enough from a career as an elementary school teacher. "I've had children and I've taught children," she says, "and I'm always into something."
Watlington, who studied piano as a young girl, says her tastes are eclectic, although she admits that reggae is not high on her list. "I don't play the piano any more, but I'm in choir," she says. "You don't be afraid at my age of being into anything. I love to be in things." And that's why she wouldn't miss an opportunity to take in a Reichhold performance.
Lea, who is with Globalvest Management Co., considers the Reichhold Center "one of the true hidden jewels of the Caribbean … It's truly a world-class venue, acoustically and comfort-wise." Finally, he says, going to Reichhold programs "is great exposure for kids. I've got small children, and it affords them the opportunity to see a wide range of performances that broadens their appreciation of the arts."
Another option for creative gift giving is tickets for just one show.
And if you're not sure of your intended recipient's musical tastes — or, even if you are sure — consider a Reichhold Center gift certificate. "They're available in $10 increments and are applicable to any Reichhold season performance," Carty says.
Ticket prices for the four programs are as follows:
Celia Cruz — $65 (A section, sold out), $42 (B section) and $25 (C section).
Ballet Concierto — $35 (A), $25 (B) and $18 (C).
Barrington Levy — $45 (A) and $35 (B and C).
STARfest 8 — $25 (A), $18 (B) and $10 (C).
Of course, if you've already finished your holiday shopping — or, again, even if you haven't — you could treat yourself to tickets, too.
For details on mid-season subscriptions, advance purchase of individual show tickets and gift certificates, call the Reichhold box office at 693-1559.
