Arts Center Lands One of Only Six Dolly Parton Shows in the U.S. by Booking the Enormous and Spectacular Stage Production Off-Site at Grace Pavilion

Santa Rosa, CA ( November 26, 2006) - In an unprecedented move, for the first time in its 25-year history, the non-profit Wells Fargo Center for the Arts is venturing off-site to present an arena-size production by music and movie legend Dolly Parton at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. The February 14th, Valentine's Day performance at Grace Pavilion will be one of only six Dolly Parton shows nationwide. It features an all-new stage production too big to fit in the Wells Fargo Center 's main theater.

"Dolly's new production is so spectacular and is on a scale Sonoma County has never seen before," said Rick Bartalini, the Arts Center's Director of Programming. With two semi-truck loads full of set materials and equipment, including two full-length staircases, a hydraulic lift, and a quick-change room, the production simply wouldn't fit on our stage."

After having performed at the Wells Fargo Center in 2005, and really enjoying the experience, Dolly agreed to come back to the Wells Fargo Center's main theater as part of her very limited. tour. Following her six U.S. engagements, Parton will travel overseas for a sold out European tour, her first in two decades. But, following tour rehearsals, Bartalini received a call from Parton's management indicating that the show's extensive set would not fit on the Wells Fargo Center stage. Dolly and her team expressed that they really wanted to return to Santa Rosa for this special Valentine's Day show. Not wanting to disappoint the star and her crew, or to miss such a rare opportunity for Sonoma County fans, Bartalini decided to approach the fairgrounds.

"We're thrilled to be working with the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts," said Hope Marshall, Events Manager at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. "The Arts Center has a close relationship with some of the finest performing artists and headline entertainers in the world. The fairgrounds, on the other hand, has Grace Pavilion. It's twice the size of the Wells Fargo Center's main stage, giving us the ability to host larger productions, such as this new show from Dolly Parton."

"This show simply would have fallen off of Dolly's limited U.S. tour if we did not move it to this alternate site," said Bartalini. "By working with the fairgrounds, we're able to offer an arena-sized production, provide our signature 'intimate experience' at a premium price, and also make an increased number of lower-priced tickets available starting at $39." In October 2005, Parton sold out her first Sonoma County performance in minutes at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts. That performance included a very limited block of lower-priced tickets starting at $59. By presenting the upcoming show in a venue with greater seating capacity, the Arts Center is able to offer a significantly larger block of lower-priced tickets at $39 and $59. "It's really a win-win all the way around", said Bartalini, "it's good for us, it's good for the fairgrounds, it's good for the artist, and it's good for Parton fans."

The show will feature a 60'x 40' foot stage with added wings, making it just big enough to accommodate Parton's extensive and elaborate production. Unlike many other shows hosted at the fairgrounds, all 3000 seats at the Grace Pavilion will be reserved, with no standing room. Additionally, the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts has some special plans in the works to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the Valentine's Day show. The Arts Center will also provide approximately $30,000 in additional lighting and sound equipment to ensure the production experience of the venue meets with Wells Fargo Center standards.

"Our name is synonymous with excellence in this business, we're known for providing the best possible experience for both the patron and the artist, said Jeremy French, Wells Fargo Center for the Arts Production Manager. "That's not going to change because we're taking this show to a different space."

Wells Fargo Center for the Arts presents Dolly Parton at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, Grace Pavilion, February 14, 2007 at 8:00 pm., reserved seating only. Tickets ($39, $59, $99, $149) will go on sale to members December 5 at noon and to the general public December 8 at noon. Tickets are available at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts Box Office, 50 Mark West Springs Road in Santa Rosa, by phone at 707-546-3600, and online at wellsfargocenterarts.com. Grace Pavilion is located at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road in Santa Rosa. On site parking is available for a $5 fee. Doors open at 7pm.

Print quality artist images available at:

http://www.wellsfargocenterarts.com/docs/contact/media.html

The non-profit Wells Fargo Center for the Arts is the North Bay's premier arts organization presenting world-class performances, contemporary sculpture, festivals, and events to 500,000 residents and visitors each year. Together with its resident companies, the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts provides more than 100 annual performances, serves to present intriguing contemporary art, and is one of California's largest providers of arts education programs for children. Located in the heart of the Wine Country, the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts campus features spacious auditoriums, an intimate cabaret, and outdoor festival grounds with a big-top tent. Unlike many similar organizations, the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts is not aligned with any federal, state, or municipal entity-such as a city or university. The Center was created by and is supported by the community it serves, making it uniquely positioned as an independent, entrepreneurial-focused, non-profit arts organization. We serve to Enrich, Educate and Entertain - Connecting Our Community through the Arts.