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Pandemic spring and summer has provided a great (perhaps too great) opportunity for self-reflection, all that time spent at home, didn't we all dig through the photo albums, the file cabinets, the attic or the basement? I remember as a teenager, the Saturdays that my mom made me clean my room and how I often would find forgotten treasures. This year has afforded many of us the time to sort through our personal archives. And at the Vergennes Opera House, we also made time to turn back time and reminisce as we cleaned out closets and file drawers.
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In many ways, cleaning out the archives allowed us to assess what was really important about the Vergennes Opera House, what makes it unique and how we can continue in this uncertain time. The Opera House brings the performing arts to the Little City and the people bring the community to the Opera House. Over the years, it has brought all kinds of performing arts to all kinds of people and we were reminded that 2020 just needs a new approach to deliver the performing arts and the sense of community.
In a year where nothing seems to go as planned, the Little City and its Opera House continue to find opportunities to celebrate. We don't usually think of the Opera House as a haven in the dog days of summer, or as a place to practice social distancing. But we looked for the opportunity and we saw some great local and homegrown talent, a community that wants to come together and an empty Opera House - and we put it all together as the Little City Cabaret. You can find details and a link to buy tickets below.
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It's great to be back in the theater!
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The Little City Cabaret or "how to put on a show during a pandemic," is turning into quite the amazing production with world-class talent taking the little city stage at 7:30pm on Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15 and at 3pm on Sunday, August 16.
As we get closer to the performance dates, rehearsals have moved from ZOOM online to the Opera House itself. They've picked some of their favorite Broadway tunes to share from musicals such as The Fantastiks, Wicked, Hamilton, Annie Get Your Gun, and Dear Evan Hansen to name a few.
Though the State allows for 50% capacity for this show (150 seats of 300), we opted for extra safety by limiting tickets to just 50 per show. We have additional safety measures in place such as spaced out reserved seating (tables and chairs), hand sanitizers throughout the space, temperature checks at the door and heightened sanitizing procedures.
Get your tickets to one of the live shows here: The Little City Cabaret Live, and get access to the video of the show here: Video of Little City Cabaret (a link will be emailed to you approximately 10-days later).
Thanks to our local paper, the Addison Independent for this great article about our show: Vergennes Theater Relights Its Footlights
MAKE IT A DINNER AND A SHOW: Ticket holders are encouraged to pack a picnic to enjoy at the concert. Local restaurants have exceptional to-go dinners down to a science (see restaurant list below). Bring what you need into the VOH (you will have a reserved table) and take everything you brought (including debris) home with you. Simple as that!
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The VSO Trio - Free Outdoor Concert!
Thursday, August 6, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
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Hooray! Music on the Vergennes' City Green is just a few days away!
We were delighted when the Vermont Symphony Orchestra reached out about their Close to Home and Far Afield series! As a way to honor their statewide mission in the middle of a pandemic, they decided to present a free concert in all 14 counties this summer. Their goal is to bring a variety of repertoire to town greens, patios, and other outdoor venues in this series of free concerts.
For this edition of Close to Home and Far Afield, a string trio will perform at the Susan P. O’Daniel Bandstand in Vergennes City Park. Mask wearing and adhering to social distancing guidelines are required. Wear your favorite mask and bring your favorite lawn chair for a lovely evening of music!
Free and open to the public. Weather permitting. For venue accessibility information, contact the Vergennes Partnership at (802) 598-7424 or vergennespartnership@gmail.com.
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Spotlight Vergennes Returns!
Classes begin September 1
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Spotlight Vermont Vergennes returns with its first 7-week session starting on September 1 and ending on October 17. For a detailed description of each class visit their website here: SPOTLIGHT VERGENNES.
They are also making their classes available via Zoom! Creativity is everywhere!
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Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival Goes Digital!
Online Festival - Streaming August 27 - September 3
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The Vergennes Opera House has enjoyed its years-long relationship with MNFF. Each year in February we've screened some of the award-winning films from past MNFF. This has given our community a glimpse into the rich-with-talent world of independent filmmaking. As you might imagine, our friends at the festival have had to adjust their normal way of showcasing independent filmmakers this year so, the MNFF6 is 100% online. The good news is you can make your own schedule to watch the films during the week, and you can watch them from the comfort of your own home with your family! Online MNFF6 festival tickets are available now with streaming options available for virtually any device. To learn more and/or to purchase tickets, visit the festival's website here: MNFF6
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Little City Restaurants - Making it Work
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One of the hardest hit business sectors during the pandemic has been restaurants. Here in Vergennes, the restaurant owners are also our Friends and neighbors and we take their success (and their food) very seriously. Thanks to their collective ingenuity, and dedicated support from the community, our restaurants are "making it work" as best they can.
We continue to encourage everyone to enjoy the great food our local restaurants offer and to find a reason, or excuse, to dine out as often as possible...outside, bring it home, or go to the city green. Phone numbers and websites are listed below for your convenience. Bon appetit!
Black Sheep Bistro: 877-9991
http://blacksheepbistrovt.com
 Bar Antidote: 877-2555
http://www.barantidote.com
Hired Hand Brewery: 870-7179
http://www.hiredhandbrewing.com
3 Squares Cafe: 877-2772
http://www.3squarescafe.com
Park Squeeze: 877-9962
http://www.parksqueeze.com
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We've Been House Cleaning
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The VOH all-volunteer team decided to use the quiet time of the past few months to go through a multi-decade accumulation of files, photos, paperwork, artwork, posters, and what-have-you, that has been tucked away in various places throughout the space. This was a HUGE undertaking and one that will continue for some months. It has been fun, though, to be reminded of all the work we've done over the past few decades to get the Opera House restored and reopened.
 We'll be honest, a few tears were shed as we viewed photos of VOH supporters who have left us. We had a lot of laughs too! Plenty of photos proving that restoration work can be silly and fun!
And, as most homeowners can attest, restoration work is never done, so therefore we keep "at it" and, with your help and support, keep the improvements and performances coming.
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CALENDAR AT A GLANCE
What's happening? Check it out here...(subject to change)
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8/6 - Vermont Symphony Orchestra trio, FREE concert on the City Green
8/14-16 - Little City Cabaret
9/1-10/17 - Spotlight Vergennes
10/10 - The Unknown Blues Band (scheduled, but tentative)
12/4-5 - Broadway Direct (scheduled, but tentative)
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Our 2020-2021 Season Sponsors (thus far)
Ed & Beverly Biello, Bob & Deb Hartenstein, Mike & Lynn Donnelly, Connie & Bill Houston, Amanda Bodell & Jeffry Glassberg, Jackman Fuels, Lizbeth & Timothy Ryan, Ned & Lauren Pike, RPM: Restoration & Performance Motorcars, The Schaefer Family, Vergennes Animal Hospital, Andrew & Jeff Fritz, H.J. LeBoeuf & Sons Contractors & Builders
THANK YOU!
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The Vergennes Opera House newsletter is written by board members of the all-volunteer organization Friends of the Vergennes Opera House. Subscribe here: VOH Monthly e-Newsletter
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