It's the time of year for transitions and hope for the future with commencements, step ups, graduations and now, Vermont poised to re-open after a long year of the pandemic. Another reason to be optimistic - our 2021-2022 season will officially begin in October!
So, while the pandemic kept us all sequestered, we worked on our season of shows, decluttered the Opera House, patched some floor boards, added to our lighting system with more instruments and a new lighting board, and, for good measure, completely revamped our website www.VergennesOperaHouse.org!
Now, with our season settled and acts booked, you can visit the events page on our website and, immediately purchase tickets! Any of which would make a pretty terrific Father's Day gift...just saying...
Speaking of our next season, we are looking for some show volunteers. Sell tickets, welcome people, set up chairs, any/all help is needed and appreciated. Check out the calendar of events page and consider a show or two to be a part of.
No matter how you support the Opera House, as a sponsors, underwriter, volunteer or audience member, we remain incredibly grateful for your loyalty and support throughout 2020 . . . it has kept us going.
. . . and we miss you.
Gerianne Smart
President, Friends of the Vergennes Opera House
With more than 80% of eligible Vermonters vaccinated now, all Covid-related restrictions have been lifted. We are SO pleased to announce our 2021-2022 season - here is the line-up (thus far):
October 9 - The Unknown Blues Band, with special guests
October 29 & 30 - Fright Fest, three films over two days, with a dance party and costume contest. Produced by the Vergennes Recreation Department and the Vergennes Partnership to support the outdoor pavilion project.
November 6 - Downtown Bob Stannard and Those Dangerous Bluesmen – Bob’s career-finale show!
December 10 - Broadway Direct – a fan favorite, in its 16th year.
January 29, 2022 - Rusty DeWees comedian, musician and storyteller
February 12, 2022 - Winter Thaw LC Jazz Free Community Concert
Thanks to our 2020-2021 sponsors for sticking with us through a pandemic. Season Sponsors: Ed & Beverly Biello, Amanda Bodell & Jeffry Glassberg, Kristin & Barney Bristow, Mike and Maggie Catillaz, Mike & Lynn Donnelly, Andrew & Jeff Fritz, Bob & Deb Hartenstein, Connie & Bill Houston, Jackman Fuels, Clark & Cathie Keenan, H.J. LeBoeuf & Sons Contractors & Builders, Susan & Geoff Nelson, Ned & Lauren Pike, Philip & Roberta Puschel, RPM: Restoration & Performance Motorcars, Lizbeth & Timothy Ryan, Schaefer Family, Robert & Abbie Small, Vergennes Animal Hospital, and Vermont Gas
Show Sponsors: Kristin & Bill Benton, Jim & Joy Biggart, Eileen & Ed Brennan, Katherine Brewer & Douglas Fletcher, Angela Brown, James Fitzgerald, Louise Giovanella & Paul Sokal, Bob & Jenny Florence, Howard Hall & Paula Moore, Hardy Family, Connie & Bill Houston, Gale Hurd, Abby & Derek Matson, Bill & Marcia Mazeine, Maureen McLaughlin, Kathy Michie, Juliann Moenter, Mark Mulqueen, National Bank of Middlebury, Jeff Nelson & Paul Mahan, Joe Painting, Lynne & Renny Perry, In Memory Of Garry Simpson, Debra Stenner & Keith Mintz, Carlotta Tippett, Cynthia Wesson
Thank you to the soon-to-be-announced 2021-2022 show and season sponsors for their faith and support for the coming season. We look forward to listing them in our next newsletter!
VOLUNTEER WITH US!
With our 2021-2022 season lined-up and ready to go, we are looking for Volunteers to make each show a success. Front of house, selling tickets, helping backstage and in the green room, placing posters all around, organization - whatever your talent, we can put it to good use! And, like our slogan says - we have fun here!
Please join us for a great new season. And check our new website for more information on all the ways you can participate - as a financial sponsor, as a volunteer or as a patron of the arts.
NEW THIS YEAR! If you volunteer for a show, you will receive a ticket to another show of your choice (or the show you are ushering, if you want to invite a guest)!
We'd LOVE to add your name and contact information to our list of fabulous volunteers. Please shoot us an email or give us a call is you'd like to help us out - info@vergennesoperahouse.org. Thank you!
Watch the entire 2020-2021 Season for FREE!
2020 forced us to be creative in how we presented performances during the pandemic. Not being able to welcome a live paying audience made it very tricky...but we persevered and produced five 1/2 hour shows under the Broadway Direct moniker. Over the course of the past year, guests were virtual, getting access to all shows by making a donation of any kind.
The series of shows were filmed in the Vergennes Opera House on January 8 and 9 (except for Stuck at Home for the Holidays). Two very full and satisfying days for our world class performers - Bill Carmichael (Walsh), Elisa Van Duyne, Jonny Barden, Caitlin Walsh and Scott Nicholas on piano. The shows were directed by Sue Burk Walsh.
THANK YOU to our Broadway Direct Series sponsors, we couldn't have done it without their support! Show Sponsors: National Bank of Middlebury, Connie and Bill Houston, the Hardy Family, Bob and Jenny Florence, In Memory of Garry Simpson, Geoff and Susan Nelson, Derek and Abbie Matson Season Show Sponsors: Philip & Roberta Puschell, 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 and Vermont Gas.
A Foodies' Paradise - Dining In and Around the Little City!
A variety of food offerings to satisfy every palate...right here in the little city!
Part of our mission is to be an economic driver to the little city's downtown businesses and beyond. We know the restaurants are full whenever we have a show, which is great! But here is a nice list for you (put together by our friends at the Vergennes Partnership) to access for the in-between-times. So many exceptional choices close by. Stop in to some of your old favorites, or try something new! With Dining in Vergennes, just click on any image below to access each restaurant's website.
CALENDAR AT A GLANCE What's happening? Check it out here...(subject to change)
Philip & Roberta Puschell, Ed & Beverly Biello, Bob & Deb Hartenstein, Mike & Lynn Donnelly, Andrew & Jeff Fritz, Connie & Bill Houston, Amanda Bodell & Jeffry Glassberg, Jackman Fuels, H.J. LeBoeuf & Sons Contractors & Builders, Ned & Lauren Pike, Lizbeth & Timothy Ryan, RPM: Restoration & Performance Motorcars, The Schaefer Family, Vergennes Animal Hospital, Vermont Gas
THANK YOU!
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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THANK YOU to our Broadway Direct Series sponsors, we couldn't have done it without their support!
