Holiday treats, sweets and seats at the Weill Center
“When it comes to the holidays, the Weill Center is the place to get special gifts that are treats, sweets and seats.”
Although this is a unique statement for the Weill Center, it only takes a minute when you are standing in the ticket office, to realize that the treats include a CD of seasonal music performed on the Weill Center theater organ, specialty sweets in commemorative tins of Chocolate Covered Potato Chips, Pecan Clusters or Chocolate Raspberry Sticks and wonderful seats for great performances.
The Weill Center 1927 Kimball organ has been recognized as one of the most unique musical instruments on the lakeshore, and it was decided last year that the organ should be featured on a CD that gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy it whenever they want. For this CD that is titled “Season’s Greetings,” Weill Center organist Eileen Ledeboer has arranged numerous musical selections that highlight the holiday season. Such songs as “Joy to the World,” “Silent Night” and “White Christmas” are featured on the CD, as are a “Three Kings Medley” and a medley “From the Old Toybox,” to name but a few of the selections.
Sweets at the Weill Center? Last year John Dankwardt, a volunteer at the Weill Center, brought up the idea of having a commemorative item for the holidays, and he knew how to get chocolate-covered potato chips. Weill Center general manager Randy Schwoerer thought this was a strange idea until he tried one and the order was placed.
“I thought chocolate-covered potato chips was a strange idea until John brought some for the staff to sample and then we all laughed and said, `Yup,
this is a must have,” Schwoerer stated. “The order came in and we sold out in two weeks, so we’re bringing them back this year.”
For the 2009 season, the Weill Center has the Chocolate Covered Potato Chips and has added two additional items, Positively Pecan Clusters and Chocolate Raspberry Sticks. All of these items come in a tin that displays the Weill Center logo on the cover and could be a keepsake.
In addition to being on sale in the Weill Center Ticket Office, the Raspberry Sticks and Pecan Clusters are available at Patty’s Hair Place at 813 N. Eighth St., and the Chips, Clusters and Sticks are all available at NEST at 823 N. Eighth St., and at Al & Al’s Steinhaus, 1502 S. 12th St.
The Weill Center continues to be a place appreciated for live shows. Performances scheduled for 2010 make a great choice for that special gift. With performances by Celtic Legends, Shidara: The Drums of Japan, The Association, Piano Men II, Ron “Tater Salad” White, The Golden Dragon Acrobats and Cirque Show, Mark Shurilla, Four Guyz In Dinner Jackets, BoDeans, Hometown Harmony Traditions and Daryl Stuermer: Genesis Rewired, there is something for everyone.
Tickets for these performances can be purchased at the Weill Center Ticket Office at 826 N. Eighth St. or by calling the ticket office at (920) 208-3243. For updates and details of what is happening at the Weill Center, go to www.weillcenter.com or call the ticket office often to check for shows being added.
