LAYTON -- Despite having to cancel The Grass Roots concert because of a power outage caused by weather, and the challenge of a tight economy, the Davis Arts Council experienced the trifecta this summer, capturing its third consecutive summer concert season "in the black."
The DAC experienced in-the-black revenues for its 2007-08 and 2008-09 concert seasons, said Kirt Bateman, DAC executive director.
The 2009-10 season does not conclude until Sept. 30, Bateman said, but this year the series will "definitely" finish in the black once again.
"We were not without challenges, including several rain delays and stormy event nights and the widespread electrical outage on July 1 that forced the cancellation of The Grass Roots concert," Bateman said.
However, patrons were understanding and generous following that event, he said, a majority donating their tickets back to the arts council as a tax-deductible donation.
The success of the season also can be credited to the "diversity" of the acts that performed, Bateman said, as well as individual single tickets and season tickets experiencing an increase over last season.
But ticket sales for the shows account for only about 30 percent of the DAC's total operating expenses, and without loyal and generous sponsors and donors, the program could not continue to strengthen the community through the power of the arts, he said.
"I think it was an excellent year. The concerts seem to be well-attended," said Layton Councilwoman Joyce Brown, council liaison to the DAC board.
"I think there was a little bit of everything," said Brown, who suspected the concert series finished in the black based on the crowd for contemporary country singer Josh Turner being so large.
Credit for the success of the season, she said, has to go to DAC leadership, which seems to have a handle on what the public likes.
"Even with the economy what it is, they have done very well, I think," Brown said, aware of other concert venues that appeared to have struggled this season.
But if DAC officials are to take a curtain call, they may want Turner to take his own personal bow, as a result of the performer packing a near sell-out crowd of 1,800 people into the Kenley Centennial Amphitheater where the DAC concert series is held.
The Turner show did take some additional work and expense, with the city having to rent a portable generator for about $300 to provide Turner with the power needed for his sound and lights.
"They went out on a limb in bringing Josh Turner," Mayor Steve Curtis said. "But I do believe the dividends will pay off."
In addition to Turner, this year's shows included Rita Moreno, Ryan Shupe & the RubberBand and the introduction of a special "family night" show featuring ventriloquist/ comedian Michael Harrison.
"The season itself had enough variety in it that it was able to appeal to a variety of audiences," Curtis said.
The DAC also celebrated another successful season of its free Sunday Night Concert series, which has been presenting and nurturing local performers on its stage for more than 25 years, Bateman said.
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