art & culture
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of creativity The ar Ts are flourishing in
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This ci Ty by The sea.
istorically, the most vibrant, successful cities are known just as much for their appreciation of the arts and culture as for their thriving business communities, and Boca Raton is no exception. The Count de Hoernle Amphitheater in Boca’s Mizner Park opened in November 2002 and is a state-of-the-art outdoor amphitheater, colonnade and concert green, with capacity for 4,200 people. The amphitheater serves as a social, cultural and educational center for south county residents and draws audiences from throughout South Florida; it has entertained more than a million people since its inaugural year. The City of Boca Raton took over the operation and ownership of the theater in October of 2010, and the facility has undergone a rebirth of sorts, with cooperative programming opportunities in music, dance, theater, film and fine arts. Some of the most popular events at the amphitheater, such as the Summer Music Series, Cinema in the Park and holiday events, are presented by the city for free. The most impressive event at the amphitheater is the annual Festival of the Arts Boca, now in its sixth year, a multi-day showcase of great music and literature that has featured marquee names such as Renée Fleming, the Russian National Orchestra, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Joshua Bell and Arturo Sandoval. The festival is one of the most notable arts events in South Florida and has secured the city’s stature as a cultural center. The Count de Hoernle Amphitheater schedule also accommodates various family shows, charity events, bar mitzvahs and private parties. Among its many charitable initiatves, the amphitheater has hosted “Think Pink Rocks” 62 |
and the American Cancer Association Walk-athon. Events like these have made the Count de Hoernle Amphitheater a popular venue for the South Florida community. Since 1975, Caldwell Theatre Company has been entertaining more than 50,000 patrons annually with classics, revivals, small musicals and original plays. The Caldwell opened its doors in December 1975 at the suggestion of James R. Caldwell, founder of the Rubbermaid
Corporation. Over the years, the theatre has called four different locations home; it’s now in its own permanent Count de Hoernle Theatre on U.S. 1 in north Boca Raton. The Caldwell has been called South Florida’s “Cinderella Theater” and Boca Raton’s “Jewel in the Crown.” The Boca Raton Cultural Consortium, comprised of the following 15 not-for-profit member organizations and the City of Boca Raton, is able to provide a wide array of programming for art
c ount de h oernle a mphitheater at Mizner Park
Boca chamBer annual 2012
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