The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE — The Historic Masonic Theatre and Masonic Amphitheatre are kicking off a weekend of fun and fundraising November 9-11.
The weekend begins with the Heart of the Community VIP Reception in the Thomas P. Dean, Racey and Dean, Inc. Underground Lounge and Café from 6- 7:20 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9.
Tickets are $25 each and include food catered by Fudge Street Café and an assortment of drink options.
Attendees will be able to bid on 50 silent auction items that have been donated by artists, businesses, organizations and individuals in the community.
Members of the Jersey Boys’ cast may make a musical appearance in addition to a few other surprises.
The Heart of the Community weekend celebrates and supports the work of the Historic Masonic Theatre and Amphitheatre and the contributions of John Hillert.
John and local attorney Meade Snyder were instrumental in forming the Ma-sonic Theatre Preservation Foundation in 2009 to begin the arduous task of raising money for the restoration of the 1905 theatre.
Six years later, in April 2015, the theatre began a $6.9 million restoration that was completed in July 2016.
The evening continues in the John E. Hillert Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. A tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons and the Original Jersey Boys, “December ‘63”, will be featured on the theatre stage.
The music of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons is a one-of-a-kind concert experience. “December 63” showcases all your favorite songs from Frankie Valli, including the classics that have been thrilling audiences for decades along with the most popular singles from the Broadway blockbuster musical, “The Jersey Boys.”
This re-creation of a Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons concert will have you reaching for the high notes as our cast and band take you on a musical journey with stops at every phase of the careers of Frankie and the boys.
In 1962, the group released their first album, featuring the single “Sherry,” which was not only their first charted hit but also their first number-one song. The Four Seasons followed up “Sherry” with several million-selling hits, including “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” (their second No. 1 hit), “Walk Like A Man,” (their third No. 1), “Candy Girl” and several others.
From 1962 to early 1964, only the Beach Boys matched the Four Seasons in record sales in the U.S.
Jeff Stern, executive director of the Historic Masonic Theatre and Masonic Amphitheatre, issues the invitation to: “Please join us on November 9 to enjoy a night of timeless classics.”
Tickets are $30, main orchestra; $25 for rear orchestra and front balcony; $20 for rear balcony; and $40 for box seats:.
Tickets may be purchased online at www.historicmasonictheatre or by calling the theatre box office at (540) 862-5655 while they last.
The weekend continues on Sunday, Nov. 11, with John Hillert Soup-er Sun-day, sponsored by the Soup-er Sunday Committee and located at the Masonic Amphitheatre on 513 Church Street.
Over 25 chefs will be on the amphitheatre stage serving up their delicious homemade soups. Six dollars or six non-perishable food items buys your choice of a three-soup sampler, crackers and a drink. Extra tastings are available for $2. Desserts are available for purchase. Take-out soup in quarts will also be available.
The Clifton Forge Area Food Pantry serves approximately 350 families during the year from Clifton Forge, Covington, Iron Gate, Eagle Rock, Hot Springs and Millboro.
Donations to the pantry from 2017’s Soup-er Sunday provided enough money to purchase 13,857 pounds of food in addition to the 140 pounds of food donated at the event.
Money raised increased 20 percent over 2016’s event, and Soup-er Sunday has grown every year.
The event, which began in November 2015, by John Hillert and a group of volunteers has relied solely on volunteers, from the committee members to the chefs to the many volunteers who worked the event and donate their time. The goal is to increase money raised for the food pantry each year.
For more information on the Heart of the Community activities, please visit the Historic Masonic Theatre and Masonic Amphitheatre’s Facebook page.
