154th Emancipation Day Celebration

Friday, September 15, 2017
6:00 pm – Homecoming Reception, 2nd Floor
7:00 pm – Featured Performance, Auditorium

The 2017 Homecoming Reception and Concert will be held Friday, September 15, 2017 at the historic Ariel Opera House located at 426 Second Avenue, Gallipolis, Ohio beginning at 6:00 pm.

History of the Annual Emancipation Day

The Emancipation Proclamation has been celebrated and observed in Gallia County, Ohio continuously since 1863. The Gallia County Emancipation Day Celebration is reported to be one of the longest continuous running celebrations of the Emancipation Proclamation in the United States.

Historically, the celebration originally was always celebrated on the 22nd of September. This coincided with President Lincoln’s historic signing of the Emancipation Proclamation which declared slaves “thenceforth and forever more free.” It was conducted in a religious atmosphere. Activities & games such as baseball, sack racing, hog calling and greasy pole climbing were included to stimulate the interest and maintain enthusiasm. Bands, famous orators, politicians, parades, dance and queen contests were also included in the celebration.

Squire Parsons Gospel Music

Friday, October 13 at 7:00 p.m.
FREE – No tickets necessary
JOY 990 AM Radio is pleased to present gospel artist Squire Parsons.

Squire Parsons, a native of West Virginia was raised in a Christian home and was introduced to gospel music by his parents. His father, Squire Parsons, Sr., was a choir director in their home church and taught shaped note gospel music.

Squire has served as interim music director, church soloist, elementary school music teacher, high school band director and in 1975 he became the baritone singer for the Kingsmen Quartet. In 1979 Squire went into solo ministry.

Since 1978, Squire Parsons has been nominated by the SINGING NEWS’ fans for “Favorite Baritone”, “Favorite Gospel Songwriter” and “Favorite Gospel Singer”. He was named “Favorite Baritone” in 1986 and 1987. In 1986, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995 – “Favorite Gospel Songwriter”. In 1988 he was named “Favorite Southern Gospel Male Singer”.

A love offering will be accepted.

Carl Michael Magic & Illusion

Saturday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 22 at 3:00 p.m.

The art of magic is making the impossible possible. To bring the audience out of their everyday world and connect them to what lies beyond. Surprise, shock and astonishment are simply the means to a greater goal: to awaken the sense of mystery and awe that lies dormant in all of us.

For millennia, the secrecy, inexplicably and mystery of magic and illusion have enraptured mankind, tapping into the primal human yearning to pierce the veil of reality. In every age, great performers have emerged to update and redefine this most ancient of art forms. Carl Michael is such a performer.

From childhood, Carl Michael has immersed himself in the study and practice of magic and illusion. His voracious quest for perfection, relentless work ethic, enormous talent, and astonishing skill and creativity have yielded one of the most brilliant young illusionists of our day.

We invite you to enter the world of Carl Michael. It is a world where everything you know is wrong, what is real and what is illusion merge into a new kind of possibility, a new take on reality.

Your journey awaits you. We invite you to begin. carlmichaelmagic.com

Meredith Willson’s THE MUSIC MAN

Friday, June 16 at 7:00 p.m. &
Saturday June 17 at 7:00 p.m.

Purchase Tickets
The historic Ariel Opera House presents the Ariel Players in The Music Man.

The Music Man is the classic musical written by Meredith Willson and is loosely based on his small town upbringing. Con man Harold Hill comes to Iowa in 1912 to sell band instruments and uniforms to the unsuspecting residents of River City. Marion, the librarian and piano teacher, sees right through him but eventually falls for his charms when he helps her younger brother overcome his lisp. Hill unites the town via music, including the bickering school board members that he forms into a barber shop quartet. In near continuous production by amateurs and professionals since its premiere in 1957, the show won 5 Tony awards including Best Musical and a Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album. Some of the well known songs from The Music Man include 76 Trombones, Goodnight Ladies, The Wells Fargo Wagon and Goodnight My Someone.
THE MUSIC MAN is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
www.MTIShows.com

The Ariel’s Summer Tuba-Time! 2017

Monday, July 3, 2017 at 4:00pm
Click Here to Pre-Register Now!
Tuba and Euphonium players of all ages can come join the fun! Musicians will meet at the Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Performing Arts Centre at 4:00 p.m. for an on-stage rehearsal. Summer Tuba-Time music books will be available for purchase ($15 incl. tax) at rehearsal.

Monday, July 3, 2017 at 7:30pm
FREE CONCERT! – 7:30 p.m. at the City Park
No tickets required.
A fun time to be had by all! Join us at the 2017 River Recreation in Gallipolis City Park to celebrate Independence Day with the joyful sounds of the Ariel’s Summer Tuba-Time!

Summer Tuba-Time concerts are presented with permission from the Harvey Phillips Foundation, Inc.

DREW HASTINGS- Comedian, Mayor, Farmer & Author

Friday, July 14 at 7:00 p.m.

Purchase Tickets
Join the Ariel Opera House in welcoming the most unlikely farmer and Mayor you’ve ever met, Drew Hastings.

As a Comedian, Drew Hastings has been a well-known standup for 20-plus years with television comedy specials, Tonight Show appearances, and a regular favorite on the National Bob & Tom Radio Show.  As a Farmer. A lifelong, loft living, city dweller, he left Los Angeles at age 50 to take up farming in rural Ohio which he describes as “Farmageddon”.  As Mayor: he was just re-elected as Mayor of the small, rural City of Hillsboro, Ohio, where his politically incorrect candor would get most elected officials recalled, (they’ve tried twice) yet somehow he thrives.

WBYG 99.5 & K92FM’s Tom Payne and Steven Figiel will be on hand to host the show! Don’t miss the laughs – get your tickets today!

Sponsored by WBYG 99.5FM, Big Country

Auditions for “The Music Man”

THE STORY OF JOHN GEE: The Ariel’s Black History Celebration

Sunday, February 12, 2017
at 2:00 p.m.

The Story of John Gee, Hero of Gallipolis, is presented as part of the Ariel Opera House’s celebration of Black History month. Gee was born in Cincinnati in 1798 and came to Gallipolis between 1818 and 1822 as a free African American. Intelligent, industrious, hard-working and gifted in several areas, Gee built up his business building fine houses (some of which are still standing today), raised a large family, was active in his church and was a philanthropist. He donated the land for the “Colored Cemetery” and for his church. He built sidewalks in the town where he was the largest landowner of the time, all of this while living on the border of a slave state. At night, he was a known conductor of the Underground Railroad rescuing countless numbers of men, women and children desperate to escape slavery. Join us as historian Elaine Armstrong weaves the story and The Ohio Valley Symphony Woodwind Quintet performs music of the times including that of African American composer William Grant Still.

This is a free event!

Addison Coldren Art Exhibition

Saturday, March 25, 2017
at 4:00 p.m.

The Ariel’s Artists and Authors Series welcomes local artist Addison Coldren who will be talking and answering questions about her works.  Her eye for the “small worlds” in nature is incorporated into her art – from silver jewelry design to photography.  Addison’s exhibit will feature several mordançage prints, a photographic process used to manipulate emulsion, as well as paintings, ceramics, and silver jewelry.

Addison is a senior at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio and a 2013 alumnus of River Valley High School in Bidwell, Ohio.  She has been involved in events at the Ariel Opera House in Gallipolis, Ohio since 2010 as both a seasonal employee and a volunteer.

Make an full evening of entertainment at the Ariel Opera House and purchase your tickets to the evening Ohio Valley Symphony concert Judy! featuring Joan Ellison, vocalist. Click here for ticket information!

JUDY! Garland, Joan Ellison, Vocalist

March 25, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

Joan Ellison has been praised for her “vocal prowess….[and] organic grasp of the classic songs” by Michael Feinstein, and “possess[ing] a crystalline voice that never stops” (Donald Rosenberg, The Plain Dealer). She has been performing Garland tunes with symphony orchestras and in theaters for several years, but the 2016 TheatreZone (Naples, Florida) production of The Boy From Oz marked the first time she had ever actually played Judy.

O.O. McIntyre Book Signing with Author R. Scott Williams

Saturday, April 22, 2017
at 4:30 p.m.

Author Scott Williams will be holding a book signing as part of the Ariel’s Artists and Authors Series for the new release of his story of Gallipolis native O. O. McIntyre titled An Odd Book at the Ariel Opera House where copies of his book will be available for sale.  Scott will be talking and answering questions about his work. This comprehensive book tells the story of Odd McIntyre who achieved great fame and fortune in New York in the early decades of the 20th century. In his daily column “New York Day by Day” as well as articles in national magazines like Cosmopolitan and Life, Odd recorded a time and place undergoing great transition and innovation in communication, politics, art and entertainment.

The Homecoming, Philip Armstrong, tenor

April 22, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.

A native of Bidwell Ohio, Philip Keith Armstrong’s musical interest began as a young child singing the
National Anthem, a capella, at all the home football & basketball games at area high schools & colleges.  He was awarded two full-time Presidential Scholarships to Shenandoah College & Conservatory of Music in VA and Central State University in Wilberforce, OH. Mr. Armstrong earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Akron.  As a soloist he has traveled extensively in the U.S. as a member of the widely acclaimed Central State University Singers, recording with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Amen: A Gospel Celebration with Jennifer Holiday, Maureen McGovern, Lou Rawls, and Gershwin: Selections from Porgy and Bess featuring Cab Calloway.  Both records were nominated for Grammy awards.  

Barb White’s Piano Student Recital 2017

Sunday, May 7, 2017
2:00 p.m.
Ariel Chamber Theatre

The historic Ariel Opera House presents a Piano Recital of students of local instructor Barb White. Join us for this free Sunday afternoon concert to be held in the 3rd floor Ariel Chamber Theatre.

Admission is free ~ donations accepted at the door.

13th Annual Tri-County Gospel Sing

May 20, 2017 at 6 p.m.

Join the historic Ariel Opera House in welcoming the Tri-County Gospel Sing, presented by Pastor Rick Barcus of the Addison Free Will Baptist Church.

Featuring: Brian’s Family Connection
Covered by Love • Dayspring
Fishermen’s Net Singers • Neal Family
New Creation • New Salvation • New Covenant
Ordinary People • Rick & Ginny Towe
Ricky & Marie Alley • Singing Shafers
Victory River Quartet • West Virginia Couriers
Brenda Hensley • Karen Polcyn
Lisa Browning • Mike Cadle • Vickie Moore• Randy Parsons • Joint-Heirs

This concert is free to the public. A love offering will be collected. Doors open at 5 pm and the concert starts at 6 pm.

2016 Ariel Façade Updates

December 11, 2016 Gallipolis, OH
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The Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Performing Arts Centre installed a new sign on November 21 to take it a step closer to its original opulence. According to the Ariel’s Executive Director Lora Lynn Snow, the new sign pays homage to the theatre’s origination as the Ariel Opera House and reflect the coexistence of The Ohio Valley Symphony, the Ariel’s resident professional orchestra.

2016-17 Season Subscription! The Ohio Valley Symphony

Purchase Concert Tickets

Join The Ohio Valley Symphony for the 27th Season featuring 5 exciting concerts in our home, Ariel-Dater Hall. Order subscriptions online or call the box office today at 740-446-ARTS!

27th Annual Brittany’s Prom Style Review

Sunday, January 22, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Brittany’s 27th Annual Prom Style Review

Join the historic Ariel Theatre in welcoming Brittany’s Fashions and students from area high schools to the main stage. The audience is in for a treat!

All proceeds of this spectacular event benefit the continuing restoration of the historic Ariel-Ann Carson Dater Performing Arts Centre. Brittany’s owner Kay Hardway is excited to again showcase teens from 8 area high schools modeling the new 2016 prom styles.

Get your tickets early!

David Kim, Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra

September 10, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

Violinist David Kim was named Concertmaster of The Philadelphia Orchestra in 1999. Born in Carbondale, Illinois in 1963, he started playing the violin at the age of three, began studies with the famed pedagogue Dorothy DeLay at the age of eight, and later received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The Juilliard School.

Highlights of Mr. Kim’s 2015-16 season includes teaching/performance residencies at Oberlin College, Bob Jones University, and The Boston Conservatory of Music, continued appearances as concertmaster of the All-Star Orchestra on PBS stations across the USA and online at the Kahn Academy; recitals, speaking engagements, and appearances with orchestras across the United States; multiple solo performances with the The Philadelphia Orchestra including the Brahms Double Concerto, the Beethoven Triple Concerto, and a New Year’s Eve performance of the Meditation from Thais with Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting; and the launching of the first annual David Kim Orchestral Institute of Cairn University in Philadelphia where he is also a Professor of Violin Studies.

153rd Emancipation Day Celebration

Friday, September 16, 2016
6:00 pm – Homecoming Reception, 2nd Floor
7:00 pm – Featured Performance, Auditorium

The Gallia County Emancipation Board will honor and dedicate the 2016 Homecoming Reception and Concert in memory of Board Member and Area Philanthropist George “Ray” McKinniss who passed away December 2015. The 2016 Homecoming Reception and Concert will be held Friday, September 16, 2016 at the Ariel-Dater Hall located at 426 Second Avenue, Gallipolis, Ohio beginning at 6:00 pm.

History of the Annual Emancipation Day

The Emancipation Proclamation has been celebrated and observed in Gallia County, Ohio continuously since 1863. The Gallia County Emancipation Day Celebration is reported to be one of the longest continuous running celebrations of the Emancipation Proclamation in the United States.

Bring Your Friends Concert! Ariel Children’s Chorus

October 9, 2016
2:00 p.m.
Ariel Chamber Theatre

The Historic Ariel Theatre presents The Ariel Children’s Chorus Concert under the direction of Judith Cavendish with accompanist Barb White. Join us for this free concert which will also feature students of piano and voice.

Admission is free ~ donations accepted at the door.