Happy 2010!!

The Strand has been home to a flurry of activity getting the theatre ready for our 2010 Season.  January is the time we schedule to do our heavy maintenance.   This is the 2nd year we have used this time for upkeep of the theatre.   It needed it!  We accomplished several things, and still have many more yet to do.   That’s OK, eventually we will get everything done, but there are only so many hours in a day…

Take a look over your shoulder.   That is 2009 fading into history.  For the Strand, 2009 was one for the history books.  We finished the year with 148 events and an audience total of over 8,000.   This is what we hoped for, and are extremely pleased our community was able to accomplish these impressive statistics.   The Strand is just a piece in the quality of life puzzle in Shelby County.   It is gratifying to know that we hosted the equivalent of 18.4% of the Shelby County population visiting the Strand in 2009!   2010 is shaping up to be even more exciting.

The Strand has worked hard to broaden our audience and the recognition that Shelbyville and Shelby County is a great place to live.  The February 2010 issue of Smithsonian Magazine has an article about living in Indiana.  In the article it quoted Scott Russell Sanders.   That is the same Scott Russell Sanders that read his essays on the Strand stage in June 2009!   This is great fun for everyone connected with the Strand.   We are appreciative that not only has our community recognized what we are trying to accomplish, but so do others around our State and nation.

We have been working on our films.  The Strand has now entered into agreements directly with the movie studios to show their content.  This is a very long and complex process.   Joey G. got us started on the path, providing insight and guidance for the Strand films.   Gary N., Steve F. and Chris N. have been working on a schedule for the next 6 months.   There will be films that will appeal to a wide range of people.  As soon as we have the dates confirmed we will let everyone know.

Coming up the Shelby County Players will start off February with “Divas”.  This is a fundraiser for the SCP.  It is important that we all support the arts in our community.  We hope you will show your support for this wonderful group and attend on either Saturday February 6th or Sunday February 7th.   In honor of the trip to the Super Bowl, the Shelby County Players have scheduled “Divas” for Super Bowl Sunday afternoon.  The performance will finish in plenty of time for everyone (including cast and crew) to get home for the pregame festivities.   It is sure to be a great event.

On February 12th the Strand welcomes “Hoosier Dylan”.  This very talented group will play the music of Bob Dylan.  The poet laureate of Indiana, Norbert Krapf,  will also be on stage to read selected poetry of Dylan.   The performers include Tim Grimm, Jennie Devoe & Jason Wilber.  They will be joined onstage by White Lightning Boys, Joyous Garde and our very own The Complete Unknowns.   This show has played in Indianapolis and received great reviews.   From Shelbyville it will be off to our friends at the Royal Theatre in Danville Indiana.   Adam K. and his band mates in the Complete Unknowns will be traveling to Danville for that performance as well.  We are thrilled to bring this show to our community and also to partner with another theatre with a similar mission to ours.

Next week we’ll have a little tech-talk as well as an update on some other ongoing projects.    The volunteers of the Strand needed this past month to catch up.  The theatre is entering its 94th year, and needs TLC more than ever.   Happily that work is behind us and we can resume what we are here to do!   Thank you for your support.