The Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center is brimming with exciting programs

A graceful and lyrical performance of Chinese ribbon girls, a rock-and-roll ode to the psychadelic era, a choral performance that addresses the topic of abuse, a dramatic solo performance of a young woman exploring her Filipino heritage and a stirring performance of Vietnamese dancers using hats, ribbons, and fans are just part of what you will see next Friday, at the .

There's a healthy offering of exciting things happening at the center in the coming weeks and months, including the multi-cultural performance by students on April 8 at 7 p.m.

I got a sneak peek on Friday during rehearsals—and I was enthralled.

I will definitely be back for the final show which is open to the general public and promises to be a true depiction of Renton’s diversity and culture.

Liz Diaz is the Director of Choirs and the Creative and Performing Arts Department Chair at Renton High, and was leading the rehearsals during my visit.

“These shows, and the week of school activities that surround them are our annual celebration of our diversity.  We actually revel in diversity for the week," Diaz said. "For most of our student body, this is their favorite time of year.” 

Diaz described the activities and swells with enthusiasm  as she discusses the program.

“They represent their cultures with pride, not just in the shows, but by wearing cultural garb to school, through morning announcements, class activities and a food fair.  They enjoy sharing and learning about other cultures,” she said. 

This year Latino, African American and Somali students joined together to create two dance acts for the show, incorporating dances from across Africa and Latin America. 

"The amount of diversity in the show is amazing," Diaz said. "We have the Chinese Lion Dance, a Vietnamese fan dance, a metal band, a Tahitian dance, a hip hop dance and krumpin' just to name a few.”

Since its 2003 opening, IPAC has experienced a bit of an evolution.

National acts—including George Winston and Doc Severinsen, the Wailin Jenny’s and the Harlem Gospel Choir—filled IPAC during its first few years. When it became too costly book major attractions, the center scaled back to refashion itself as a rental facility for local artists, touring groups, student theatrical performances, and community events. It has proven to be a successful model.

“The theater actually is now being used more than the early days,” said Jay Leviton, with the Renton School District, who oversees the center. “When we changed our focus to be a rental facility, we increased our ability to attract outside groups that can actually market and sell more tickets.”

“The number of performances open to the public has actually exceeded the first few years,” said Leviton.

IPAC is also being used heavily by the stage technology programs and the drama club at in addition to many multicultural performances.

Barbara Fujita, who manages IPAC, likes the diverse cultural programs that the center has been attracting.

The Center was formed when a partnership was established between the City of Renton, members of the community, the , and the . was one the first in the community to donate $25,000.

then stepped up to the plate to offer $500,000 for the naming rights to the center.

Char Baker was there leading the charge in the early days, as chair of the fundraising committee, and President of Allied Arts at the time. “The beginning was exciting,” said Baker. “We knew that we had a gem and our biggest concern was to take care of it.”

As you take a walk through the center, you’ll see stars on the floor which are lit. Those stars name early donors that gave between $1,000 and $100,000 to have naming rights to stars in the lobby, Baker said.

In recent months, the center has been solidly booked with events—including the PIMA Institute graduation, Miss Teen Washington, , and the Renton High School orchestra concert.

In April alone, the Center will host the , the Rainier Symphony, and Ensemble Ballet Theater’s production of Beauty and the Beast.

In May, however, IPAC will play host on a much grander scale when they host several thousand visitors coming to Renton for the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF).

To make the venue more attractive to SIFF, Brad Brotherton, of donated $15,000 to purchase a super-sized screen that will be used at SIFF. The screen is huge-- 14’6”x33’  and will be a gift to the center for many years to come.

Suzanne Dale-Estey, from the praised the donation to the center.

“We are extremely grateful that Brad Brotherton stepped up to pay for the high caliber and very large screen that was required for SIFF to come to Renton,” Dale-Estey said.

“This is a legacy gift that will be used and appreciated by the and the broader community for many years to come.  Bringing SIFF to Renton means thousands of visitors will come discover Renton, our many shops and fabulous dining options, and having this industry standard screen will help bring many more film-oriented events to Renton in the future.” 

“I am excited about SIFF coming in,” Baker said. “It will be a great opportunity to really showcase the theater. This is one of the reasons that we wanted to build it in the first place.”

Whether you attend Friday’s student performance of multicultural pride, a symphony orchestra, or the international film festival in May, it is clear that we have a gem in downtown Renton.

Leviton summed it up when he said, “We truly have a first-class facility with first-class technology.”

For more information about Friday's performance and tickets call (425)204-3459.