As we start to lean out of 2020 and lean into the holiday season ahead, we wanted to take a moment to say "Thank You." 2020 has tested all of us, but in the challenges of the year, we find moments of hope and opportunity that make us stronger and in all of it, a reminder of all that we hold precious.
During this season of thanks, we want to thank you for: - Bringing your best selves to Carnevale Vergennes! For many of us, it was the last big night out of the year (February 29, 2020) and we are grateful to have enjoyed it with you while raising important funds for the Vergennes Partnership, the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Vergennes and, of course, the Opera House.
- Participating in our "live theater in a pandemic" experiment at our Little City Cabaret in August.Whether you came in person, donated to watch the video (watch it free now here) or just wished us well, thanks for being a safe and supportive community. Special thanks to our performers and crew as well! We learned so much together and had a blast in the process.
- Renewing our Board for another year.None of this would be possible without the efforts large and small of our all-volunteer Board of the Friends of the Vergennes Opera House. We meet monthly (via zoom these days) and think creatively on how to deliver the performing arts to the Vergennes-wide community, while maintaining and making improvements to the historic theater.
- Contributing to our annual appeal. Even when the stage is dark, there are still bills to pay and improvements and fixes to be made. Your continued support has brought us optimism for a future rich with live performance. During this unusual year, you have continued to donate to our historic opera house and support our creatively-produced 2020-2021 season.
If you haven't yet donated to our annual appeal, please consider doing so today. Your support has provided what we need to make it through these past few months and keep the doors open for dance classes, yoga, stretch classes, fencing classes, special meetings and more. Additionally, we have taken this "down time" to make important improvements to the space, most recently the floor improvements that will be completed over Thanksgiving week.
More good stuff coming! Read below about our Broadway Direct Series starting in December!
With gratitude,
Gerianne Smart
President, Friends of the Vergennes Opera House
Please consider an annual gift to the Vergennes Opera House via our easy access online donor form here VergennesOperaHouse.org.
Friends of the Vergennes Opera House Board of Directors
Keeping the lights on and planning for the future
At its 2020 annual meeting, the Board of the Friends of the Vergennes Opera House voted to appoint its officers:
Gerianne Smart – President
Jim Lanpher – Vice President
Treasurer – Susan Schaefer
Secretary – Susan Nelson
The Board also voted in the slate of Board members for 2021.
Kristin Benton
Jim Biggart
Michael Catillaz
Kate Coburn
Geoffrey Nelson
Joe Painting
Allison Rimmer
Erin Roche
Sue Walsh
The Vergennes Opera House is grateful for the service of these individuals. If you are interested in serving on the Board of the Friends of the Vergennes Opera House, please contact Jim Lanpher (info@vergennesoperahouse.org).
Announcing: Broadway Direct Film Series! A series of 30-minute videos released over the winter months.
We planned to celebrate the 15th year of presenting BROADWAY DIRECT in a fun and unusual way...but we didn't expect a pandemic to figure it our for us!
Like so many other things this year, BROADWAY DIRECT will look a little different but it will be just as wonderful as ever with the talent and creativity of our performers Bill Carmichael (Bill Walsh), Elisa Van Duyne, Jonny Barden and Caitlin Walsh, accompanied by the expert pianist Scott Nicholas. Together, and under the direction of Sue Walsh, they will bring BROADWAY DIRECT to life -- SAFELY!
This year, BROADWAY DIRECT will be delivered via a series of 30-minute videos, filmed at the Vergennes Opera House this coming December on the days when the artists would normally be rehearsing and performing. You can sign up here via a donation of any size to subscribe to the monthly (through April) videos. Get the link FIRST and watch and listen to exceptional music and songs presented within the following themes: Holiday (December release); Broadway Classics (January); Artful of Love (February); Contemporary Broadway (March); Performers' Choice (April).
The BROADWAY DIRECT Series is a great way to stay enjoy performances at the Opera House while staying warm and cozy and safe in the comforts of your own home. It is also a way for you to show your support of the all-volunteer group managing the space - the Friends of the Vergennes Opera House! Sign up for the series here: Broadway Direct Series,
Enjoy more entertainment from the comfort and safety of your home
Broadway Direct isn't the only one taking a virtual approach to winter performances. Even the Army Field Band has adapted its performances to enjoy from home. Over the years, we have been grateful to host the Army Field Band and we are glad to promote their virtual performances as well. We hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity to listen to these world-class musicians.
Little City Love Big and Small
Check this out! The Vergennes Partnership has signed on to a 10-DAY $35,000 Giveaway! It is happening RIGHT NOW in Vergennes, Bristol and Middlebury! Find our more here: 10-Day $35K GiveawayHere is how it works: On random days and times during the 10-day period, downtown retail shops in all three towns will be handing out envelopes to shoppers completing purchases at the register. Each envelope will contain Bristol Bucks, Vergennes Green, and Middlebury Money in an assortment of denominations. Winners can then use this money to spend at retail and dining locations that accept local currency. Just another example of the Vergennes Partnership making things work for our downtown! Sign up to get the Vergennes Partnership E-Newsletter and visit their website: https://www.vergennesdowntown.org/
Shopping local always pays off! It is both convenient and comforting to know we have everything we need right here in our neighborhood. Great shops, free parking and the chance to safely visit with some friends when you are out and about...masks on of course.
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!
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
Broadway Direct isn't the only one taking a virtual approach to winter performances. Even the 
