Wega Arts announces fall 2015 schedule
By Angie Landsverk
Wega Arts will continue celebrating 100 years of the Gerold Opera House with several events this fall.
The nonprofit’s upcoming schedule includes a big band, a presentation about life in Russia, the music and comedy of Lou and Peter Berryman, a vaudeville act, an art show and its annual film festival.
The first event is an autumn dance featuring The Swing Time Big Band on Saturday, Sept. 26.
The 20-piece orchestra, based out of Appleton, played at the Gerold last spring.
“We will have room to dance,” said Kathy Fehl, of Wega Arts. “William Severin Thompson is the conductor and he sings. He’s wonderful.”
The doors open at 7 p.m., and tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students.
Tickets are available online at www.wegaarts.org and also at Rural Relics Antiques in Weyauwega and The Book Cellar in Waupaca. There will be a cash bar.
Russian life
On Thursday, Oct. 8, Elena Volkova will speak at the opera house about the changes in Russian life.
The house will open at 6 p.m., and the event will begin at 6:30 p.m., Fehl said.
Volkova is from Russia and continues to live there. She is a college professor.
She teaches religion, history, English literature and American literature, Fehl said.
About seven years ago, Volkova taught at an area high school, she said.
“The Waupaca Rotary is bringing her here for a month,” Fehl said.
After Volkova’s presentation at the Gerold, there will be time for questions and discussion.
Moscow Mules will be served at the bar, with other beverages also available.
Music, comedy
Lou and Peter Berryman are returning to the opera house on Saturday, Oct. 10 with their friends and special guests Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen.
Their show will begin at 8 p.m., and tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.
Advance tickets are available at Rural Relics Antiques in Weyauwega, The Book Cellar in Waupaca and online at www.wegaarts.org.
“We look forward to seeing them,” Fehl said.
In October, Wega Arts will also present “Villians of Vaudeville” from Thursday, Oct. 29 through Saturday, Oct. 31.
The musical reveue will feature Annie Hughes, the Great Rondini, Anthony Knitt and many others, Fehl said.
“It’s going to be a vaudeville show with backstage drama,” she said. “The evening includes dinner and the show.”
The house will open at 5:30 p.m., and the show will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $35 and available online, as well as at Rural Relics Antiques and The Book Cellar.
The deadline to purchase tickets will be Saturday, Oct. 24.
Film festival
Wega Arts will present its fifth annual international film festival Nov. 11-14.
Before that event, the Gallery at the Gerold will present the works of six Wisconsin artists.
Those artists are Joanne Adkins, Rebecca Eckhardt, Holly Martin, Rose McCurdy, Mary Olson Williams and Fehl.
Their work will be on display from Friday, Sept. 25 to Saturday, Oct. 31.
A wine and cheese reception will take place from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25.
The art show hours will be 4-7 p.m. on Fridays and noon to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.