Harrington Opera House sets fall events

Submitted by Linda Wagner

With the goal to rehabilitate the historic 1904 Harrington Opera House, the Harrington Opera House Society has hosted several events and welcomed the news of receipt of grants that will aid in that goal.

Most recently the Opera House received funds from a Building for the Arts Grant that allowed for the installation of air conditioning in the upstairs auditorium.

Funds received from US Bank are being used to help improve The Art Room, which is used for music lessons, art classes and small meetings.

The Harrington Opera House has two upcoming events free to the public.

On Saturday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m., Peter Davenport, Director of the National UFO Reporting Center will present a lecture entitled “Are We Alone In The Universe?”

It is jointly sponsored by both the Harrington Opera House Society and the Lincoln County ARES/RACES “ham radio” Repeater Group. The latter provides emergency radio communications to the residents of Lincoln County, working in co-operation with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Donations for the lecture are invited, which benefit the sponsoring agencies.

The second event on Friday, Oct. 12, at 7 p.m. will find actress and former KHQ-TV news anchor, Pam Stark presenting her one-woman show entitled “Never Little Miss Nothin’”.

The show is about being raised in the projects of Detroit in the 1960s. Motown music will be played and Stark invites audience participation at times. This event is by donation as well and is a family-friendly event.

Both of these events include refreshments and will be held in the Harrington Opera House auditorium, which is a second floor venue. One of the goals for current fundraising efforts includes the purchase and installation of an elevator.

Nancy Rumbel, a Grammy Award winner, and recent performer at the Harrington Opera House, is coming back to Harrington Oct. 17 and 18 to present her “Surprise & Wonder” music class to some of the area schools.

This is a hands-on class allowing students to experience woodwinds, percussion and the ocarina. Her teaching style opens students’ imaginations through the use of “sensory surprises” that immediately capture their attention. Through the exploration of the materials, construction, characteristics and dimensions of the instruments, students discover certain principles of sound and design. The class is open to adults and any interested individual should call 253-4719.

For more information about the Harrington Opera House, go to http://www.harringtonoperahouse.org or call 253-4719 or 253-4594.