The Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation’s 2013 season will see exciting new shows and show-stopping performances, according to event organizers.

With the help of local sponsors, three event series will be coming to the DeSoto Theatre this season; The Concert Series, The Children’s Series and The Family Entertainment Series.

The Concert Series will once again bring the Blues music of Mac Arnold and Plate Full ‘O Blues in May, a “music festival weekend” in September (headliner still in negotiations) and The TAMS in November.

The Children’s Series brings a two week summer theatre camp to the DeSoto giving kids age 10-15 a chance to learn proper stage etiquette, how to audition, improve, set design with the second week ending in a mini-production for the community. A build-a-house workshop is planned in conjunction with Rome Little Theatre’s children’s theatre production of “The Three Little Pigs and The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf” with a third children’s program planned but yet to be finalized.

The Family Entertainment Series will start April 26 with comedian-magician-illusionist Mark Robinson.

“The idea behind the series is that people will have a chance to focus on events that they really want to enjoy,” said Tracy Hellriegel, Facility and Foundation Administrator.

But these events will require community sponsorship.

Jim Powell, Foundation board member, said financially the DeSoto Theatre Foundation cannot fund all these events on its own. Sponsorships for the various events is required. He said local individuals, businesses and corporations have the opportunity to be a part of these events and receive prominent publicity in promotional materials as well as tickets, and even the use of the theater and other sponsor rewards.

“We are volunteers and we’re doing the best we can,” Powell said. “But with the community’s support we can plan and offer events that will bring some really big names and high quality entertainment to the DeSoto.”

The Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation was established in 2008 to facilitate a community effort to raise money to restore, maintain and operate the DeSoto Theatre as a historical, cultural and economic asset. All proceeds from these series of events will go towards the Foundation’s restoration efforts.

To find out about sponsorship opportunities, contact Tracy Hellriegel at tracy@desototheatre.com or call 404-797-5212.