Greetings, Neighbors and Friends,
No tip toeing around it...the weather over the last few weeks of January and now heading into February has been pretty chilly. It made us wonder if that would affect the turn out at the January OFF Stage shows at 10 Green Street and Rockers. Well, we needn't have worried! The weather did not deter folks one bit from heading out and enjoying wonderful music, beverages, and great food. The crowds were very robust, warm, and appreciative.
And now, here we are in February with the last two shows of our OFF Stage series just ahead: February 14 - Love Songs at Vergennes Grand (with Bill Carmichael Walsh and Dan Levine) at 2pm; and then on February 28 - Josh Clevenstine at Rockers from 6-8pm. Both of these shows are free. More about both shows below.
What won't be happening in the VOH is this year's Town Meeting information night due to the ongoing construction of the All Access Project, but the city has secured St. Peter's Parish Hall for this year's meeting on Monday, March 2nd. NEXT year, Town Meeting will be back in the VOH and EVERYONE can access the 2nd floor space with ease, safety, and respect. I look forward to updating the community with a brief report at this year's Town Meeting event.
Despite the chilly weather, the All Access Project keeps moving along with remarkable progress so that we can open up once again for our first ON Stage show on March 28 featuring Gina Coleman & the Misty Blues Band with their "Roadhouse Revival Gospel Blues Review." Now THAT is going to be something! Tickets are available on our Events page: https://www.vergennesoperahouse.org/events.
Oh...one final push on the courtyard bricks! These will be placed in the new courtyard walkway leading to the new elevator, and we will be finalizing our paver order over the next few weeks. So, if you've been thinking about dedicating/purchasing a brick or two, let this be a gentle nudge to place your order now. Here's a quick link to make it easy: Buy a Brick.
See you soon!
Gerianne Smart, President
Friends of the Vergennes Opera House
info@VergennesOperaHouse.org
802.877.6737
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Many of you know Bill Carmichael Walsh as the originator of the annual Broadway Direct Show, and can attest to his exceptional talent. On Saturday, February 14, at 2pm at Vergennes Grand Senior Living, Bill will be partnering with another Broadway veteran, Dan Levine, to present an afternoon of love songs and Broadway tunes. This duo has been performing together for several years but this is the first time they are performing in Vergennes. This is part of the OFF Stage series of shows and we are thrilled to have been able to partner with Vergennes Grand Senior Living to show off their space. This show is free and just what we all need on Valentine's Day. Seats are limited so get there early!
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Savvy locals might recognize Josh's last name, as he is the brother to one of the most musically talented families in the Vergennes area. Josh is a "truck-driving Adirondack folk musician" who is passionate about applying his own style to old songs and traditions and passing them along to the next generation. His music—propelled by crosspicking guitar reminiscent of the great Johnny Cash—is marked by honest lyrics drawn from his own experiences. Harlan Howard famously described country music as “3 chords and the truth,” and Josh’s powerful songs are a testament to the magic inherent in that particular formula.
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GINA COLEMAN & MISTY BLUES
"Roadhouse Revival Gospel Blues Review”
SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 7:30pm
Come celebrate our first performance in the newly renovated opera house with an unforgettable night of soulful gospel blues! After being closed for construction and renovations for more than a year, we wanted to "wake the old bones" of the Opera House with an upbeat and soulful night of lively music and song - and we knew that Gina and the Misty Blues band would be just the ticket. This tight-knit musical team will be taking the stage at 7:30pm on Saturday, March 28, 2026 with their phenomenal "Revival Gospel Blues Review," a rousing non secular celebration of tent revival classics. Internationally recognized and nominated for several Independent Blues Music Awards, their 17 albums have broad domestic and international airplay. Don't miss this amazing night of music as we celebrate the reopening of the historic Vergennes Opera House.
Tickets are $20 in advance or at the door: Revival Gospel Blues Review and Grand Reopening
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 VERY MERRY THEATER SUMMER CAMP RETURNS!
Two camp opportunities this summer!
We are so very excited to welcome Very Merry Theatre's summer camp back to the Vergennes Opera House this year. Their popular kids summer camp is a big hit among the local youth and each camp ends with a delightful performance for folks to enjoy.
This year, they are offering two week-long camps for kids between the ages of 6-13 to enjoy. The first camp takes place June 22 through 26 with a production of classic story Heidi. The second camp is the very next week, June 29 - July 3 with the Adventures of Buster Bear.
To learn more and sign your kiddos up, visit their website here https://www.verymerrytheatre.org/vergennes, but don't wait, these camps typically fill up fast.
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UPDATE ON THE ALL ACCESS PROJECT
We are just two months away from welcoming everyone back into the Vergennes Opera House for the first of three events inside the space with access for everyone via the new elevator. This is the hard part....the waiting. Things are moving along at a good clip, save for a couple of surprises here and there, but it is remarkable to witness the transformation, and we simply cannot wait to get folks in to see it and experience it for themselves.
Meanwhile we are reminding ourselves that art takes time...and patience. We are certainly keeping busy with painting surfaces and trim and, over the next several weeks, slowly organizing and putting the space back together.
On March 28, we host the first show in the opera house space and for the first time attendees can choose to come up through the front doors via the main staircase, or walk along a temporary walkway to the new elevator tower. Our beautiful courtyard will be completed when warmer weather arrives, but a temporary, safe walkway will be in place, thanks to our excellent construction team. The final courtyard will be completed this summer when our landscape beds are planted and the brick pavers are set in place.
One huge milestone this week was the test of the newly installed elevator! Mike Louer, Site Manager from Naylor & Breen, captured the elevator car moving down the tower. Very exciting! Click on the image below to watch it.
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The Courtyard is Waiting for Warmer Weather and
Your Paver to be Completed
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 Your brick can honor a friend or family member, commemorate a special event, or memorialize someone special. There are four sizes available.
Options available:
4x8 bricks are $125
8x8 bricks are $250
12x12 bricks are $500
24x24 array of bricks $2,000
Add a logo to any size for $50.
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The last piece to the All Access Project is the courtyard construction which will feature hundreds of engraved pavers celebrating the spirit, generosity, and engagement of supporters from throughout the community and well beyond.
Work on the courtyard will begin in May to be completed in late June/early July. Plans are already underway for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebration that the entire community can enjoy.
Meanwhile, there are just a few weeks left to purchase an engraved paver, and we want to make sure you have yours secured. Imagine walking through the new courtyard between City Hall and St. Paul's Church and looking down and seeing familiar names and interesting phrases and sentiments engraved in the pavers beneath your feet. The entire courtyard tells a story, and you can be a part of it too! You can find all the information here: Buy a Brick.
So far we have sold 275 bricks, which adds up to more than $53,000 of community support for this incredible project!
There is still time to purchase a brick and help us "pave the way" to the new elevator entrance.
You can also make a donation or pledge of cash, check, stock, or any combination. All we need is your pledge at this time. Here is a link to the various ways to give: Make a Donation or Pledge.
Thank you for helping us to make the historic Vergennes Opera House easily, respectfully, and safely accessible to everyone.
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An OFF Stage Thank You
to 10 Green Street and Rockers Pizzeria!
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 On January 10, the little city of Vergennes showed up with bells on to warm up 10 Green Street and enjoy "Duo Dulce" with VSO musicians John Dunlop on cello and Laura Markowitz on violin. In fact, enthusiasm was so high that some locals had to jump into the kitchen to wash glassware to keep up with the concert guests. Huge thanks to Cami and Nate for providing such a wonderful OFF Stage venue for us.
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 On Friday, January 23, the Hokum Brothers brought their unique style of entertainment and music to Rockers Pizzeria. The trio of Woody Keppel, Allan Nichols, and Gus Ziesing entertained a family-friendly crowd with their delightful mix of ragtime, folksy, and jazz tunes. There was even a little bit of dancing about, which was great fun.
Continued thanks to Jon and Arielle and their staff for being such gracious hosts for several of our OFF Stage shows.
Come see Josh Clevenstine for our final OFF Stage show on February 28 at Rockers!
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Calendar at a Glance
"OFF STAGE" Productions all around Vergennes
"ON STAGE" in the Vergennes Opera House
To view updates to our events, visit our events page: VOH Events
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THANK YOU to our 2025-2026 SEASON SPONSORS!
Patricia Butler, Vergennes Grand Senior Living, Mark & Julie Basol, Realtor® Sue Walsh at Berkshire Hathaway Vermont Realty Group, Vergennes Partnership, Geoff & Susan Nelson, Ed & Beverly Biello, Amanda Bodell & Jeffry Glassberg, Jackman Fuels, H.J. LeBoeuf & Sons Contractors & Builders, Mike & Maggie Catillaz, Ned & Lauren Pike, Philip & Roberta Puschel, Peter & Liz Markowski, Bob & Deb Hartenstein, The Schaefer Family, Connie & Bill Houston Lizbeth & Timothy Ryan, Casella Waste Management, Otter Creek Awnings, and in Memory of Garry Simpson.
Media Sponsor: WMUD 101.5 and WCLX 107.3
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