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Parker's new $21.8 million arts center will open Oct. 28 with a performance of "Luma," a new-generation lighting concert that makes laser-light shows of old look like the vintage videogame Pong. The PACE Center — Parker Arts, Culture and Events Department — will be home to a wide range of local arts groups and international touring productions, but will perhaps most distinguish itself by commissioning new theater works right out of the gate. tiffany necklace

Unlike the nearby Lone Tree Arts Center, which opens Sept. 9 and will host productions that will first be presented by originating theaters like the Arvada Center and Creede Repertory Theatre, PACE is taking the unusual step of hiring the Aurora Fox to mount theater works just for Parker audiences. First up: "A Christmas Story" and "Annie." PACE is also commissioning longtime Denver theater producer Rick Seeber's latest in his series of popular music revues. "Country is the Music of Mainstreet" (titled after Parker's main drag), will take a western approach following previous Seeber efforts like "Beehive" and "8-Track: Sounds of the '70s. tiffany men's necklace

" "We wanted to do something in our first year that is uniquely Parker, while also supporting original work," said executive director Jeannene Bragg. "Parker takes a great deal of pride in its equestrian history, and that history is right in line with country music." Visiting productions will include the Vienna Boys Choir, which last appeared in Denver in 2008, Ireland's "Celtic Nights: Journey of Hope," and the venerable touring comedy, "Defending the Caveman." Bragg is working closely with the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins and other area presenters to piggyback performances of touring works from around the world that might otherwise skip the Denver metro area entirely. tiffany necklace white gold

Programming for children will include the Cashore Marionettes, "Gary Krinsky: Toying with Science," "Stunt Dog Experience" — a demonstration of, yes, pet tricks — and "Sign Stage's Stuart Little," which will present the familiar story of the spirited little mouse with a cast of both hearing and deaf actors who speak and perform sign language simultaneously. "We are very much committed to ongoing programming geared toward the special-needs and therapeutic communities," Bragg said. A central part of PACE's mission is to incorporate local talent, themes and interests, Bragg said.

tiffany necklace silver To that end, PACE has named four local artistic partners for the inaugural season, each of which will present at least two performances: The Apex Contemporary Dance Theatre, Colorado Wind Ensemble, Parker Chorale and Parker Symphony Orchestra. Separate performances by Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado, Ballet Ariel and Colorado School of Dance are also slated. The PACE Center will be otherwise available to rent for local, regional and national cultural, arts, scientific and educational programming, as well as community, business, classroom and social events.

"Ours will be a multi-facility regional arts center that will offer a wide variety of family-friendly programming that really strikes a balance between supporting and developing local artists as well as presenting national and worldwide talent," Bragg said. Tickets for the first official "presented season" will go on sale in August, Bragg said. PACE will offer a variety of subscription packages, including a "build your own" mix-and-match option. The PACE Center will be anchored by a 500-seat auditorium with an outdoor amphitheater, as well as an art gallery, event room, dance studio, culinary kitchen and several classrooms. Outside will be Harmony Park, a collection of weatherproof wind and percussion metal instruments for anyone to play. The PACE Center is being constructed through a 25-year municipal loan, with no tax dollars of any kind. tiffany charms