As households reach a saturation point of closets and drawers bursting with items, experiential gift giving is on the rise, according to a Time/Money magazine article published this week. Among the popular gift items noted in the article are tickets to events and concerts.

“Over the past few years, the pattern of pre-holiday ticket sales indicates our patrons are part of this larger national trend,” said Mike Nadolski, executive director of The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College. “Patrons are telling us they want to help create memories and experiences rather than add to the number of items their friends and loved ones have.”

Nadolski points to the popularity of Christmas performances, like this year’s Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis, as an example.

“Mannheim Steamroller Christmas sold out two years ago and this year we are on track to see that same level of attendance. People tell us this show is a tradition in their family, one they build memories upon year after year.”

Other popular Mainstage events for gift giving are children’s and family programming. According to Nadolski, grandparents especially love giving these tickets because it creates another opportunity for the entire family to enjoy time together outside of the holiday season.

The opportunities for experiential gift giving reach beyond traditional performing arts events at The Mendel Center. Wine enthusiasts can enjoy Winter Delights: A Festival of Wine, Food, and Music, a tasting event in January. For craft brew aficionados, tickets to The Art of Beer Festival in March are available.

The complete lineup of events and performances The Mendel Center has available for gift giving and receiving this holiday season are:

 

Mannheim Steamroller

Christmas by Chip Davis

Mainstage

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2015, 7:30 p.m.

 

Men are from Mars, Women

are from Venus LIVE!

Mainstage

Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, 8 p.m.

 

Chris Bathgate

Hanson Theatre

Part of the Hanson Theatre Living Room Series

Friday, Jan. 22, 2016, 7 p.m.

 

Winter Delights: A Festival

of Wine, Food, and Music

Grand Upton Hall

Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, 5–9 p.m.

 

Saturday Night Fever — The Musical

Mainstage

Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, 7 p.m.

Also offered: Post-show Friday Night Fever dance party (separately ticketed event)

The Accidentals

Hanson Theatre

Part of the Hanson Theatre Living Room Series

Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, 7 p.m.

 

STOMP

Mainstage

Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, 4 p.m.

 

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE!

Mainstage

Saturday, March 12, 2016, two shows at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

 

The Art of Beer Festival

Grand Upton Hall

Saturday, March 19, 2016, 5–9 p.m.

 

Comic Opera Guild presents

Rossini’s Barber of Seville

Mainstage

Saturday, March 19, 2016, 8 p.m.

 

Theatreworks USA production

of Charlotte’s Web

Mainstage

Saturday, April 16, 2016, two shows at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

 

Gift certificates

Mendel Center gift certificates are available in any amount by calling The Mendel Center Box Office at 269-927-1221 or visiting in person at 2755 E. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, Michigan weekdays between 2-6 p.m. and when the Box Office is open during Mendel Center events.

Mainstage series memberships for the 2015-2016 season are still available with the purchase of three or more Mainstage performances. Patrons may add to previously purchased 2015-2016 season performance to reach membership status and receive the member discount on the newly purchased shows. Mainstage series members will have the first opportunity to purchase tickets for the 2016-2017 season when it is announced in the spring.

Tickets are available online at www.TheMendelCenter.com and through the Box Office.

Program and schedule are subject to change. Published ticket prices do not include fees.

The Mendel Center is 30 minutes from Niles and 40 minutes from Kalamazoo and South Bend. It is located on the Lake Michigan College campus at 2755 E. Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, Michigan. The Mendel Center is one mile east of I-94 (Exit 30) and one mile west of the US 31 Bypass (exit 24).

The 1,517-seat Mendel Center Mainstage Theatre offers state-of-the-art acoustics and comfortable seating in elegant surroundings. Other amenities include free parking, handicap accessibility with usher-assisted advance seating opportunities, and an array of special services including valet parking, catering and bar service for private pre- and post-show events, booster seats for children, hearing-assist devices, non-spill cups for beverages inside the theatre, and recently added premium seats in the Stage Side section.