In Galveston’s Historic Downtown Cultural Arts District 

GALVESTON ISLAND, TEXAS (28 September, 2018.)  ARToberFEST   - Galveston’s premier juried fine arts Festival - will transform historic downtown Postoffice Street into an open air gallery bursting with color and culture from all over the United States. Presented by The Grand 1894 Opera House, the festival will take place Saturday, October 20, 10am -6pm; and Sunday, October 21, 11am -5pm; and will represent 14 different forms of artistic media. The event will be held in the heart of Galveston’s Downtown Cultural Arts District on Postoffice Street between 20^th and 23^rd Streets.

Created in 1997 by founding coordinator Kathy Modzelewski to promote fine art in the Galveston County area, the event has grown from 30 artisans and 500 attendees to over 100 participating artists from across the U.S. showcasing their work to more than 7,500 attendees.

During the past twenty-one years the festival has grown in popularity and will extend its footprint this year to include an additional block.  In addition to the extensive selection of art, festival goers can also enjoy a wine bar, Galveston’s Farmer’s Market, food trucks, interactive art activities for children, a young collectors' gallery - for children only, daily live musical performances, an emerging artist tent showcasing College of the Mainland students, and so much more. And also this year, the event will feature new participating metal artist Craig Riches from Silverhill, Alabama – who will share share Craig’s Metal masterpieces with the Galveston community.

ARToberFEST admission is $5 for adults; children under 12 free. A portion of admissions will benefit the Educational Outreach Programs of The Grand 1894 Opera House. For additional information about ARToberFEST, contact Festival Director Sarah Piel at 409.770.5066, 800.821.1894 or via email at spiel@thegrand.com. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Grand 1894 Opera House is located at 2020 Postoffice Street in Galveston’s historic downtown Cultural Arts District, and recognized as "The Official Opera House of the State of Texas." All major credit cards accepted

Click here for tickets.

www.artoberfest.com

GALVESTON ISLAND, TEXAS. The Grand 1894 Opera House continues "A Jewel of a Season" with the mariachi spectacle - Aida Cuevas - Totalmente Juan Gabriel on Saturday, October 13, at 8pm.  Tickets may be purchased at The Grand’s Box Office, 2020 Postoffice Street, by calling 409.765.1894, 800.821.1894, or online at www.thegrand.com.

Known as "The Queen of Ranchera Music", Grammy-Award winning ‘ranchera’ singer, Aida Cuevas, will present an amazing, one-of-a-kind mariachi performance as she pays tribute to her dear friend and greatest mentor, Juan Gabriel. Cuevas' stunning vocals and unwavering devotion to mariachi music led to her 2018 Grammy Award for Best Regional Mexican Music Album - the first time this particular award had been won by a female performer! According to The Kansas City Star, "Aida Cuevas is to Mexico what Aretha Franklin is to the United States: a powerful voice that encapsulates the essence of her nation's spirit!" This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts and Texas Commission on the Arts.

Single tickets are now on sale. Contact The Grand's box office at 409.765.1894, 800.821.1894, or visit The Grand at www.thegrand.com. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Grand 1894 Opera House is located at 2020 Postoffice Street in Galveston's historic downtown Cultural Arts District, and is recognized as "The Official Opera House of the State of Texas.”  All major credit cards accepted

Click here for tickets

The Grand's 'Evening of Serious Fun' is now set for Friday, Sept. 21st

The following guest column was published on Wed., Sept. 12 in The Galveston County Daily News.  Event has been rescheduled from the original date of Friday, Sept. 14th to next Friday, September 21st due to inclement weather forecast.

To order tickets to the event on Friday, September 21, 2018 from 6-9pm - CLICK HERE

• By HEATHER PETEREK 

The “Evening of Serious Fun,” aptly named as an offshoot of the Harris L. Kempner Serious Fun Children’s Series performances (based on children’s books) — is not your typical fundraiser. This annual event set from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at The Grand 1894 Opera House at 2020 Postoffice St. in Galveston, is at its heart, a casual, fun Friday night of partying onstage at The Grand, which happens to benefit a very good cause.

For the same cost as a typical date night out, you get an open bar, amazing food by the Galveston Restaurant Group, a chock-full silent auction and games that give you the opportunity to win big prizes.

Since the event’s inception, the party theme has been based on one of the Serious Fun Children’s Series performances. I’ve always thought this was a fun and creative way to tie-in and remind everybody why we’re really here — the children. This year’s theme springs from Erth’s Prehistoric Aquarium Adventure — a production that gives students a better understanding of aquatic creatures from bygone eras, connecting them to the real science of paleontology — not to mention the fun of discovery.

The Serious Fun Children’s Series performances are offered to area students and schools during the school year through school field trips to The Grand. Classes who attend these performances read the book beforehand in class, really making it an interactive program that helps children visualize a book in a new way and gets them excited about reading and learning. I can’t think of a more enriching experience for a young child than to read a book then see it come to life before their eyes in a theatre that makes them feel like they’re in a another world.

What you can further appreciate about these performances is that they are not exclusive to students who have the means to buy a ticket. The Grand’s Daisy’s Friends program provides funding for disadvantaged students so that they can attend these awesome shows with their classmates. Having exposure to the arts — that they may have never gotten otherwise — could impact a child’s life more than we realize.

Along with proceeds from the event benefitting Daisy’s Friends and the Serious Fun Children’s Series, it also benefits The Grand’s other educational programs such as The Grand Kid’s Festival and ARToberFEST — events and programs that truly benefit and enrich our community. You may join us by calling The Grand’s box office at 409-765-1894 or by visiting www.thegrand.com.

I hope to see you onstage.

Heather Peterek is chair of The Grand 1894 Opera House’s “Evening of Serious Fun” event.

A JEWEL OF A SEASON BRIGHTENS THE STAGE AT THE GRAND 1894 OPERA HOUSE!

Subscriptions Now Available to 2018-2019 Performing Arts Season

GALVESTON ISLAND, TEXAS (1 July 2018).  As a premier entertainment showplace for acclaimed international stars, iconic American artists, and celebrated regional performers, The Grand 1894 Opera House continues to produce an annual performing arts season that delivers “living in the moment” entertainment experiences that capture the imagination of its audiences. Its 2018-2019 Performing Arts Season will include many such memorable events. To order subscription packages today, visit www.thegrand.com 

Explains Maureen M. Patton, Executive Director of The Grand: “The magic of live performance - where talented artists share their creative joy while feeding off the energy of a captivated audience - is like nothing else. And, if ever there were a time to add something joyful and uplifting to our day-to-day lives, this would be it!”

During The Grand’s 2018-2019 season, Wynonna Judd makes her Grand debut, backed by her band, The Big Noise.  That’s just the beginning of an array of music from all over the world.   The Choir of Man promises an electrifying concert by an amazing group of Irishmen who will transport you to an onstage Grand Pub complete with beer kegs!  Next to Mexico and the Queen of Ranchera Music, Aida Cuevas, whose unwavering devotion to traditional mariachi music will thrill you; and Gabriel Royal, who made history when he was discovered playing and singing his own sonorous style of music in the New York subways.  Love the big band sound, Doo Wop, jazz, Rock and Roll, Country?   There’s something for everyone just waiting to be experienced.   From Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and the breezy sophistication of Pink Martini to Irish history through music, song and dance and the music of WWII, it’s yours for the asking.   Experience the best in Broadway with Jersey Boys, Kinky Boots, Something Rotten and Spamalot and a range of Holiday Shows that will put you in the spirit and keep you there. 

Subscription packages are available now. Contact The Grand's box office at 409.765.1894, 800.821.1894, or visit The Grand at www.thegrand.com.  Non-subscription single tickets (if available) will be on sale beginning July 23, 2018 at 9am.  Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Grand 1894 Opera House is located at 2020 Postoffice Street in Galveston's historic downtown Cultural Arts District, and is recognized as "The Official Opera House of the State of Texas."  All major credit cards accepted.

THE GRAND 1894 OPERA HOUSE, PERFORMING ARTS SEASON 2018-2019

• SEASON OPENER – Wynonna & The Big Noise | Sat., Sept. 29, 2018 – 8pm

• The Choir of Man | Sat., Oct. 6, 2018 – 8pm

• Aida Cuevas – Totalmente Juan Gabriel  | Sat., Oct. 13, 2018 – 8pm

• Silent film with Rob Landes – Phantom of the Opera | Fri., Oct. 26, 2018 – 8pm

• The Doo Wop Project  | Sun., Oct. 28, 2018 – 4pm

• Gabriel Royal: The Underground Cello Project  | Sat., Nov. 10, 2018 – 8pm

• Asleep at the Wheel – Merry Texas Christmas Y’all  | Sat., Nov. 24, 2018 – 8pm

• The Priests | Sun., Nov. 25, 2018 – 7pm

• A Christmas Carol | Fri., Nov. 30, 2018 – 8pm | Sat., Dec. 1, 2018 - 3pm

• Jazz at Lincoln Center with Wynton Marsalis – The Big Band Holiday Tour | Sun., Dec. 2, 2018 – 4pm

• Jerry Jeff Walker | Sat., Dec. 8, 2018 – 8pm

• All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 | Sun., Dec. 9, 2018 – 4pm

• A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage | Sun., Dec. 23, 2018 – 1pm and 4pm

• The Other Mozart  | Sat., Jan. 12, 2019 – 8pm

• The Oak Ridge Boys | Sat., Jan. 19, 2019 – 7:30pm | Sun., Jan. 20, 2019 – 3pm

• SOMETHING ROTTEN!  | Sat., Jan. 26, 2019 – 3pm and 8pm

• Jersey Boys  | Sun., Feb. 3, 2019 – 7pm

• Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock & Roll  | Sat., Feb. 16, 2019 – 8pm

• Celtic Nights: Oceans of Hope  | Sat., Mar. 9, 2019 – 8pm

• The Rob Landes Trio Revisits the Music of WWII | Sun., Mar. 24, 2019 – 4pm

• Pink Martini | Fri., Apr. 12, 2019 – 8pm

• Spamalot  | Sat., Apr. 27, 2019 – 3pm and 8pm

• Kinky Boots | Thurs., June 13, 2019 – 8pm  

GINA SPAGNOLA HONOREE FOR 27TH ANNUAL COMMUNITY ENRICHMENT AWARD,

MARCH 17TH,  BENEFITING THE GRAND 1894 OPERA HOUSE 

GALVESTON ISLAND, TEXAS (March 2018.)  Gina Spagnola will be honored as the recipient of the prestigious 27th Annual Leonora Kempner Thompson Community Enrichment Award,  Saturday, March 17th at The Grand 1894 Opera House.  Sponsored by, and benefiting Galveston’s Grand 1894 Opera House, this event begins at 7pm and will include a cocktail reception, dinner on stage, and an award presentation at The Grand, 2020 Postoffice Street.  Honorary Co-chairs for this year’s event are Janice and Vic Pierson.

 The Community Enrichment Award originated from a desire on the part of the Trustees of the Harris and Eliza Kempner Fund to honor Leonora Kempner (Nonie) Thompson on the occasion of her retirement as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Kempner Fund.  She had served on the Board as a Trustee and Secretary/Treasurer for thirty-four years and then for four years as Chairman, succeeding her brother, Harris L. Kempner.

Because of Ms. Thompson's active participation, dedication, and commitment to her community, the Trustees of the Kempner Fund voted to designate a contribution to The Grand 1894 Opera House to be used as the nucleus of a revolving fund to assist in underwriting an annual special event to raise funds for the organization's many vital programs and operations.

In 1992, The Grand’s Board of Directors chose to establish an annual event to honor an individual or individuals who had contributed to the enrichment of the community in the spirit of Leonora Kempner Thompson.  They voted to name the annual award in her honor and selected her as the first recipient.

Past recipients of the award, in addition to Mrs. Thompson, are Cynthia and George Mitchell, Edna and Bill Levin, Mrs. Frances Moody Newman, Mr. Shearn Moody, Jr., and Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Moody, Sr.; Dennis Miller, Lyda Ann Quinn Thomas, Susan and Johnny Walker, Ruth Kempner, Diane and Marion Duzich, Paige and Tilman Fertitta, Pat and Fred Burns, Maureen and Larry Patton, Margaret and Jim Earthman, Mary Ann and Jack Stobo, Gerry and Gene Hornstein and Lynn  and Armin Cantini, Brenda Levy Hutchings, Harris L. Kempner, Jr. and Hetta Towler Kempner – “Shrub and Peaches”, E. Burke Evans,  Mary Ellen and Chuck Doyle, Cindy and John L. Sullivan and Susanne and Gerald Sullivan, Susan Lipnick Lynch and Robert L.K. Lynch, Drs. Sharon and Ben Raimer,  The Honorable Craig Eiland, Janice and Victor Pierson, Francisco "Paco" Vargas, B.J.  and Buddy Herz.

"It goes without saying…  Gina Spagnola is, indeed, the epitome of what this Community enrichment Award is all about. This exemplary individual has  given generously and tirelessly, and has shared her endless talents, enthusiasm and love for this community in so many positive ways!  How fortunate Galveston is to have her as the President of the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce and how fortunate we are at The Grand to have the opportunity to honor her,” stated Maureen Patton, Executive Director of The Grand 1894 Opera House.

Spagnola has served as president of the Galveston Regional Chamber of Commerce since 2003 and oversees almost 900 businesses with the commitment to fulfill the Chamber's mission to "promote and  advocate for business and community development." Currently she serves on numerous local boards and committees - including as president of the Salvation Army's Galveston County Women's Auxiliary, Chair - Galveston ISD's Educational Foundation Board of Directors,  Park Board of Trustee's Tourism Development Advisory Committee,  Board of Directors, The Grand 1894 Opera House;  Galveston Economic Development Partnership ( GEDP) Executive Board,  the City of Galveston's Industrial Development Corporation Committee, the National Lemonade Day Board of Directors, and as well,  Spagnola is the County Director for Lemonade Day Galveston County.

This black tie event is open to the public. To request an invitation, purchase tickets, or for more information, call The Grand at 409.765.1894 or 800.821.1894.  The Grand is located at 2020 Postoffice Street in the Cultural Arts District in historic downtown Galveston.  The Grand 1894 Opera House is recognized as “the official Opera House of the State of Texas.” All major credit cards accepted.