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The historic Grand Opera House takes “You’re a part of it” to a whole new level by once again opening its doors to the community and asking them to help select the performers for the new season.
On Saturday, January 5 from 6 to 9 p.m. the community is invited view the top 100 performers available for the 2008-09 season. Armed with information on potential ticket prices the community can cast their vote for which performers they’d like to see on the historic Grand Stage.
Executive Director Joseph Ferlo said the Grand is the only entertainment venue he knows of that literally asks the community to help program the upcoming season. “It’s their Grand Opera House,” he said. “It’s only natural we allow them to be part of the process for selecting our performers.”
In its fourth year the Top 100 Preview night as evolved into one of the most beneficial tools for the Grand to ensure a successful season. This season the return of Jeff Daniels, “Blue Suede Shoes,” and “Alpin Hong” can be traced back to the Top 100 Preview Night, where the community literally said “bring them back right away.”
The Top 100 Preview Night will change format from previous years to better coincide with the monthly downtown Oshkosh Gallery Walk, which is also being held on January 5. Instead of a marathon presentation in which all 100 performers are showcased for two minutes, participants will be able to come at their leisure between 6 and 9 p.m.
Various stations will be set up in which video and audio samples of artists will be on display. Visitors will be given a ballot and asked to rate each performer based on their desire to see them perform in Wisconsin’s oldest operating theater building. It’s also an opportunity for the community to suggest performers who didn’t make the Top 100 list.
With the Grand set to celebrate it’s 125th anniversary in downtown Oshkosh in 2008, Ferlo said this year’s Top 100 Preview Night may be the most important of his tenure in Oshkosh.
“We’re getting ready to celebrate a huge milestone,” he said. “We want to make sure we get the right acts to properly reflect the Grand’s 125 year status as Oshkosh’s living room.”
There is no cost to attend the Top 100 Preview Night. For more information, call (920) 424-2350. If you cannot attend, suggestions on performers for the upcoming season can also be submitted to grandinfo@grandoperahouse.org
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