WARDSBORO — When Wardsboro Curtain Call hosted their first concert in 2015, a new cultural vision was hatched.
One of the first shows was a summer dance party, featuring the notorious Miles Band, and the event included a pork and jerk chicken sandwich dinner.
“The Town Hall was hopping that night,” Curtain Call board member Lise Fortin said in a news release. “I remember looking outside to see two teenage girls dancing to the music that was wafting through the open windows.”
After that successful night, members of the community came together to launch the Summer Concert Series. Three years later, Curtain Call is expecting a successful 2018 season.
The Wyld Nights Band will host the 2018 dance party, and this year welcomes a varied program of musical entertainers.
The season opens May 19 with Toney Rocks, named one of the Top 10 Acts to Watch by Las Vegas Weekly.
Karen Davis, another WCC board member, appreciates the opportunity to host musicians.
“Everyone we've hosted so far has been not only fabulous from a performance/talent aspect, but also truly delightful, kind, generous, appreciative of our efforts and our venue, and overall wonderful human beings,” she said.
The Board's community-building efforts continue this year with proceeds from a 50/50 raffle, sales of WCC merchandise, and donations to the Refreshment Jar to benefit Wardsboro Fire & Rescue.
Davis and Fortin were sitting next to each other at the Wardsboro Town Meeting in March when Warner Manzke, Wardsboro Fire and Rescue chief, explained his team's financial goals and challenges.
“Then and there, we decided to propose to the rest of the board that we select Fire and Rescue for our fundraising efforts,” Davis said.
That proposal was met with unanimous support.
WCC welcomes everyone to enjoy concerts in an intimate, BYOB café setting.
“I love seeing the reaction of people who join us for their first show,” Fortin said. “The reaction is usually surprise to see the transformation of the town hall to our lovely 'cafe'. Then, when the music starts, people appreciate the quality of the artists we bring to Wardsboro. As we kick off our third year, I am looking forward to greeting our returning patrons and meeting first time attendees, too.”