Business of the Week: The Nazareth Center for the Arts

It has the intimate feel of a small, crowded, New York City-style cafe. The audience is packed in -- the place holds up to 60 people -- to listen to music. But they can't order a cappuccino or a glass of wine.

This "cafe minus the cafe" is right in Nazareth -- in the Nazareth Center for the Arts. 

"It's very different than a bar or cafe," said center director Ross Nunamaker. "It's very much a listening venue. People who come here are coming here for the music."

For example, he explained, the smallness of the center lets the audience ask the performers questions about how they developed a song.

The center opened in December 2009 at 30 Belvidere St., and hosted nearly 100 performers in 2010.

Most events are musical artists, according to Nunamaker, but poetry readings, art receptions, magicians, storytellers and open mic nights have also brought in audiences.

Music genres that have filled the center include everything from amplified acoustic guitars to jazz to blues to island music like that performed by Jimmy Buffett.

"We have some extremely talented musicians in the area," Nunamaker said.

Many performers are from right here in the Lehigh Valley, but artists have come from as far away as Connecticut, New York City and Philadelphia, Nunamaker said.

Brian Halloran, an Allentown native, viewed his performance at the Nazareth Center for the Arts as an opportunity to visit home, as well as entertain. He has been playing soft, jazzy folk music for 15 years in New York City and will soon be releasing his own album.

Last year, the center hosted Randy Lippencott and Lester Hirsh, two Grammy-nominated performers; an art ambassador from Nigeria, and Tyler Grady, Nazareth’s own American Idol contestant.

"People love what we're doing," Nunamaker said. "We haven't had a musician not want to come back."

For the 2011 season, both Lippencott and Hirsh plan to return this spring for another round of shows, Nunamaker said. In fact, every Saturday until June is booked. The cost is reasonable: donations are accepted at some shows, while others require the purchase of $10 tickets.

The Nazareth Center for the Arts is a nonprofit organization, according to Nunamaker, and was created under the Cultural and Arts Commission of Nazareth Borough.

Developed by nine residents, including city council members and the mayor, Nunamaker explained, it took two years and $15,000 to renovate the Belvidere Street building, but the renovations have paid off.

"They wanted to see an anchor building created in the downtown to give an improved quality of life," Nunamaker said. "It's an economic development tool."

Show tickets are available through the online Box Office or in Nazareth.

Parking is permitted at and .  Lot usage is available on show evenings only beginning at 5:30 p.m. All vehicles must exit by midnight on weekdays.

For information on upcoming events, go to www.NazarethArts.com.

IF YOU GO:
Artists’ Receptions: Sundays
Open Gallery: Tuesday through Thursday
Open Mic Night: Second Wednesday of the month
Performances: Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights
Art Classes: Five classes are available for children and adults. Each class runs four times a month and costs $95.