ISO deep discounts tickets

For this post, I turn the blog over to IBJ reporter Kathleen McLaughlin.

If you thought car salesmen had the lock on limited-time offers and blowout prices, check the blue light flashing over Hilbert Circle Theatre. The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is offering tickets to any remaining classical or pops series concert for $25 each. (They usually go for as high as $73.) The tickets must be purchased between Sunday, Jan. 11, through midnight on Jan. 20.

“Hey, we’re trying to stimulate this economy,” spokeswoman Jessica DiSanto said. In all seriousness, DiSanto said symphony officials began thinking last fall about ways to spark ticket sales during the typically slow month of January.

She said this is the first time the ISO has made such a broad-based special offer: 10 days, $25, everything left in the Lilly Classical Series and Printing Partners Pops Series. (The offer does not apply to special events, such as Art Garfunkel’s appearance on April 18.)

So, you ask, what’s left?

After a little browsing, I discovered that you will have to act fast to snag a true bargain. DiSanto tells me that the blockbuster classical show this season will be pianist Andre Watts performing Rachmaninoff’s Second on March 6 and 7. Pickings are slim for the first date, but many main floor seats, which normally go for $45 each, are available on Saturday, March 7.

While we’re on the topic of cheap seats, the ISO’s next “happy hour” concert is coming up on Jan. 15. General admission seats are $20 each, or buy three, get one free. Are you starting to detect a theme?

Doors open at 5 p.m. with free food and drink from Starbucks, Oceanaire, 14 West, Vito’s on Penn, Adobo Grill, Chef’s Academy, and Michael Collins Irish Whiskey, plus pre-concert entertainment by the Stacie Sandoval Tropical Jazztet. After the show, ISO’s young professionals group will host a part at Adobo Grill, featuring drink specials.

Oh, and the music? Sean Newhouse conducts “Larger Than Life,” a program of popular classical works and film scores about mythical legends and heroes. –Kathleen McLaughlin

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