Get ready! The 142nd annual Messiah Festival is about to commence!

(Picture via The Messiah Festival of the Arts Facebook)

The festival runs from March 30th to April 9th, and there isn’t a shortage of events that the crowds gather to watch every year. Starting in 1882, the Messiah Festival of the Arts is a celebration of the fine arts, held around every Holy Week at Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS. Swedish settlers came up with the name “Messiah” (‘the anointed one’) to echo their faith and appeal to Western culture. The story of the “Messiah” is the ultimate piece of art: the story leading you through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Messiah Festival is a whole Christian experience– a whole artistic experience for any who wish to come.

The festival will kick off this Thursday with, “Cabaret: A Musical Revue.” Anyone who wants to go better hurry up and get their tickets– because they’re running out fast! March 30th and April 1st at 7:30 P.M., Bethany College music students are presenting the revue at The Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery. Guests are invited to enjoy the 19th-century cabaret nightclub atmosphere, where Bethany College says that they will celebrate culture, music, and art in the community as the nine members of the cast take you through musical history. Adult general admissions for adults and students (21 and older) are $30 and student general admissions for students and children (20 and under) are $20. Go to www.messiahfestival.org/shop/ to get your tickets and enjoy the wine and hors d’oeuvres. This is a PG-13 event.

Friday, March 31st, two events are taking place in the afternoon and evening period. The first is an Art Teacher’s workshop from 1 to 4 P.M. at Mingenback Art Center, and the second is a Jazz Walk at 7 P.M. at downtown Lindsborg. This walk will finish at Sundstrom Conference Center.

Monday, April 3rd at 7 P.M., Dr. Mark Lucas Ph.D. Associate Professor of Music, Artistic Director & Conductor is presenting, “Chasing History: A Conversation about the Many Editions of Handel’s Messiah” at Pearson Chapel. While this is going on, there will be a “Chalk Talk for Kids: The Lord is My Shepherd” given by Shelly Carlson at Maybee Welcome Center for children ages 4-12. To RSVP your kids, email guseniusc@gmail.com.

Tuesday, April 4th at 7:30 P.M., there will be a Messiah Soloist Recital at Messiah Lutheran Church. This recital will feature Julianne Davis, JoAna Rusche, Gene Stenger, Nicholas Skotzko, and Leslie John Flangan. For more information on these soloists, visit https://www.bethanylb.edu/essiah-festival-of-the-arts-announces-2023-featured-soloists

Thursday, April 6th at 2:30 P.M., there will be a student recital at Pearson Chapel. Friday, April 7th at 7:30 P.M., Bach’s, The Passion According to St. Matthew, will be

presented at Presser Hall. General Admission tickets are $20, and the group rate is $15 for a minimum of 6 tickets. This event will also be live-streamed at www.bethanylb.edu/live.

Sunday, April 9th at 3 P.M., Handel’s Messiah will take place at Presser Hall. Bethany Students and Faculty will be allowed into the Dress Rehearsal on April 2nd free of charge, and non-Bethany Adults will be charged $10. For the performance, non-Bethany Reserve Tickets are $25, General Admission is $20, and the Group Rate is $15 (6 ticket minimum). This performance will also be live-streamed on the Bethany website.

Handel’s Messiah is the final performance that is performed by the Bethany Oratorio Society on Sunday. No better way to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ!