Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose.   This week the Strand feels like we are on the down side of up.   A cascading string of things dampened (literally) the mood.   (Warning, a small bit of tech talk ahead).

It all started with our vacuum.   The Strand is very dependant on our yellow industrial vacuum cleaner.     It lives on a steady diet of popcorn.   This week, in preparation for the Shelby County Players production, the Strand cleaning crew was using “old yellow” when we heard a clunk.    After that, no suction.   We found out exactly what happened.   The vacuum ate a bobby pin and a dry wall screw.   They broke the impeller.    Not a good problem.   Bob S. will go to the vacuum supply house to see if he can procure an impeller.   With luck, we will be able to fix the problem rather than replace the unit.

The next problem was even more difficult.   Just as the audience was arriving for Arsenic and Old Lace, we discovered a small flood in the basement under the men’s room.     A quick investigation found that our water heater had sprung a leak.   Since there are no drains in the basement, we had no choice but to turn off the water….just as 150+ were entering the theatre.   Before you could say “Charge”, Bob S. installed an isolation valve on the heater and had the water turned back on.   Before the end of the second act the water heater was removed.    At 9:00am Friday morning Bob S. and Lou M. replaced the unit.

But wait, there’s more!   While this was happening, we discovered floor tiles warped and a drip under the urinals.   It seems that at the same time we developed a another leak.   The plumber will be at the Strand to join Bob and Lou in the festivities.   While they are fixing the water heater, Rick the plumber will be fixing the urinals.

OK, enough already….but after the first intermission we had a problem in the Women’s bathroom.   We won’t describe it for you, but Steve F. got the job of fixing the problem.  He is important and gets the important things!    Problem fixed.

OK, really enough already….after the second intermission we had water all over the concession stand store.   The Coke fountain unit sprung a leak.    The main water line had two connectors come loose enough to leak, or should we say a flood.   A quick trip to get supplies and we had the problem fixed before the end of the play.

Those are some of the joys of operation the Strand.   Even though we run into a few problems here and there, it is still fun.   Check out our web site for the “action shots” of these issues.

All performance venues were saddened by the tragedy at the Indiana State Fair in August 2011. The Strand Board of Directors looked at that event and decided to do what we could to keep that from happening at the Strand.  The Shelby County Players built a wonderful set for their production of Arsenic and Old Lace under the guidance of set designer Mike Evans. This set utilizes the height of the Strand’s auditorium and is two stories tall.

In keeping with our discussions about the State Fair tragedy, the Strand asked the City of Shelbyville inspectors to take a look. The outcome was a structure that is safe for the actors and audience. They were impressed by the ruggedness of construction and the attention to detail.   Good job Mike!

The inspection was done by Tammy Cornelius aided by Tom DeBaun, Building Commissioner. While Tom was on the set he recalled a time when he too acted in Arsenic and Old Lace many years ago!

With two thumbs up, the Shelby County Players are ready and the Strand implemented what we learned by studying the State Fair stage collapse.

The Strand will have the Shelby County Players production of “Arsenic and Old Lace” the rest of this weekend.    The Strand will be getting ready for the rest of the month, including looking for that pesky gremlin that caused all the problem, but that is for next week’s email.

Thank you for the support.   The Strand is a place that puts a smile on you face!   As we enter a season of renewal, it is nice to a part of the revitalization of something as worthwhile as the Strand.    See you at the Strand!

The Strand Theatre presents a FREE concert in conjunction with the 2011 Shelby County Arts Fest.

The Variety Concert will be performed by pianist Kurt von Schakel.   He will be joined by the Kathleen Hopkins and Robin Miller.   

The program will include a wide variety of music and will feature a silent movie.   Kurt will accompany the Buster Keaton comedy “The Haunted House”.     This 1921 film was first shown when the Strand was only 5 years old!  

Come and enjoy an evening of music at the Strand!

• Variety Concert
• Saturday October 15, 2011
• Kurt von Schakel
• with Kathleen Miller and Robin Hopkins
• FREE

Kurt von Schakel 

An Indianapolis native, Kurt studied piano with William Eltzroth and Dorothy Munger and at Indiana University with Jorge Bolet. At age twelve, he was one of the youngest soloists to appear with the Indianapolis Symphony. He is entering his nineteenth year as organist for the Purdue University Christmas Show. Kurt has performed twice at Carnegie Hall and throughout the United States and England. For twelve years, Kurt teamed with the late pianist/organist Gerry Gregorious of Portland, OR in performing over 170 duo-concerts around the country.

From age eleven, Kurt has been active in church music. Before his twenty-three year tenure as organist/choirmaster at Our Redeemer Lutheran, he played at his home church, St. John’s, and also Emmaus, St. Paul’s and Trinity Lutheran churches. For five years, he lived in the Evansville area, where he maintained over seventy pipe organs and was the Director of Music at First Christian Church of Henderson, KY.

 
Returning to Indianapolis, Kurt was organist and handbell director for six years at King of Glory Lutheran, Carmel. Kurt joined the staff of Christ Lutheran Church of Zionsville in July of 2008.

 ARSENIC and OLD LACE

Thursday, September 29th at 7:30 pm
Friday, September 30th at 7:30pm
Saturday, October 1st at 7:30pm
Sunday, October 2nd at 2:00pm

Director: Tiffany D. Wilson
Producer: Lee Sakellarides
Assistant Director:Debbie Stafford

CAST MEMBERS:                                       
Abby Brewster: Joann White                   
The Rev. Dr. Harper: Lindy Meyer
Teddy Brewster: Mike Evans
Officer Brophy: Jacob Stillabower
Officer Klein: Jim Hemmelgarn
Martha Brewster: Chris Cox
Elaine Harper: Karen Markle
Mortimer Brewster: Willam Brown
Mr. Gibbs: J Alyn Hurst
Johnathan Brewster: Russ Gross
Dr. Einstein: Carey Nigh
Officer O’Hara: Kelly Short
Lieutenant Rooney: Lindy Meyer
Ms. Witherspoon: Letitia Clemons

CREW MEMBERS:
Stage Manager: Khrystyne Gibson-Turner
Assistant Stage Manager: Betty Vore
Set Designer: Mike Evans
Painting Coordinator: Kelly Short
Light Board Operator: Gordon Hood
Lighting Assistant: Rick Walke
Sound Designer: Bill Mack
Costume Coordinator: Pat Smith
Costume Assistants: Tawni Morningstar
Kim Gallagher

All performance venues were saddened by the tragedy at the Indiana State Fair in August 2011.   The Strand Board of Directors looked at that event and decided to do what we could to keep that from happening at the Strand.   Our first test came in late September.   The Shelby County Players built a wonderful set for their production of Arsenic and Old Lace under the guidance of set designer Mike Evans.   This set utilizes the height of the Strand’s auditorium and is two stories tall.  

In keeping with our discussions about the State Fair tragedy, the Strand asked the City of Shelbyville inspectors to take a look.    The outcome was a structure that is safe for the actors and audience.   They were impressed by the ruggedness of construction and the attention to detail.

The inspection was done by Tammy Cornelius aided by Tom DeBaun, Building Commissioner.    While Tom was on the set he recalled a time when he too acted in Arsenic and Old Lace many years ago!  

With two thumbs up, the Shelby County Players are ready and the Strand implemented what we learned by studying the State Fair stage collapse.

Below are Tom and Tammy looking at the staircase of the set:

This past week the Strand has been busy.   We had two shows this past weekend.  Friday night was Operation Comedy.   This was funny!   There were laughs for all.   The Strand thanks Jon Stites for bringing this show to our community.   We were able to help raise money for the Hoosier Veterans Association Foundation and our local Santa’s Protectors.  
 
On Saturday night we had a group of young musicians play on stage.   The Purple Peanut Armanda with guest Mark Hicks had another fun performance.   The Strand is pleased to help the young bands develop their performing “chops”.   They also did a great job in helping the Strand with excellent ticket sales.    Thank you to all involved.
 
On Thursday the Strand participated in the Blue River Community Foundation’s Volunteer Fair.  This year the event was held at Occasions.   We enjoyed talking to everyone who attended.   Thank you to BRCF for organizing this event.
 
Tonight we have the return of Friday Night Frights.    The fourth Friday of every month we turn back time and show 1950’s and 60’s horror movies.   This month we will show two classics.   The Attack of the Wasp Woman and I Bury the Living.   This should be a fun evening.   The show starts at 8:00pm.  
 
The Strand has been busy with various groups preparing for upcoming performances.   We have the Shelby County Players rehearsing for their next show Arsenic and Old Lace.  We also have the Shelbyville Screams group preparing their play for Halloween weekend.   We have also had a bit of music here and there take the stage for a little rehearsal time.    All this activity keeps our theatre alive, but just in case we have the ghost light too.
 
Speaking of ghost light, Halloween Weekend the Strand will take part in Shelbyville Screams.  This is an event created by our friends at Smashed Productions.   It will include a paranormal lecture, zombie walk, ghost tour, ghost hunt (right here in the theatre), short films and feature length movies.    Stay tuned for all the events.   We have to admit that some of our Strand volunteers get the heebee jebbees from this kind of talk.   (We just don’t tell them).
 
Warning, tech talk ahead.   This is the time of year that our air handling systems transition from air conditioning to heat.   This past week Bob S. completely serviced and tested all our heating units.   This includes our annual check for carbon monoxide.  This test ensures our heat exchangers remain in good shape.   We also check the flames in all the gas jets and the valves that control the system.   Along with the check comes a complete filter change.   We all know that you should change your filters often.  The Strand remains clean because we follow that procedure consistently.   Thank you to Shelby Air for providing excellent high quality filters for all our units.  Their advise on how to maintain our systems have been invaluable.   Also we have (in his words) our very own antique maintaining our antique equipment.   Thank you Bob!
 
The Shelby County Players will be in next weekend.   It will be a busy week of preparation at the Strand.    We look forward to seeing you at one of those performances.

Thank you for all your support.  The Strand is doing what we set out to do and it is fun!   See you at the Strand.

Operation Comedy returned to the Strand Theatre on September 16, 2011.   This show, founded by comic and veteran Jon Stites, had the Strand audience laughing all evening.    It was a great evening of entertainment and helped support several organizations.   The Hoosier Veterans AssociationFoundation, Santa’s Protectors and the Strand all received financial support from this show.

Below is Jon Stites on stage: