After 117 days of being shut down, the Ramsdell Theatre opens its doors during scheduled events. Community members and visitors can enjoy a free talks series (Talks, Tunes, and Tours) offered every Tuesday at 10am, starting July 7 through August 25. Featured speakers include Dr. Amanda Sewell, music director at Interlochen Public Radio, local artists Richard Kooyman, William Hattendorf, Jef Bourgeau, and Susan Barnard, Kitchen expert Shelley Doyen from The Ideal Kitchen, author Joan Young, and Gypsy Jazz musician Stephen Plummer. Jef Bourgeau kicks off the series on July 7 at 10am at the Ramsdell Theatre. 

The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts is asking visitors to make a reservation on the ticketing site at www.ramsdelltheatre.org. “It’s a free event, but we want to make sure we don’t exceed our capacity as these talks can be rather popular,” said executive director Xavier Verna. “We’re only allowed 50 people in the theatre, so making a reservation online in advance guarantees you a seat.” New guidelines are in place available at www.ramsdelltheatre.org/covid-19-updates. For everyone’s safety, the RRCA requires masks upon entry and allows them to be removed once seated. Volunteers and Staff are prepared to welcome visitors and offer disposable masks, hand sanitizers, and wipes. “Our policies are similar to the Vogue Theatre. We have had meetings and walked through our procedures numerous times. I’m confident what we have in place will keep everyone safe,” added Verna.

Each year, the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts partners with the Vogue Theatre and Old Kirke Museum to offer Midweek Mornings in Manistee, a free/low-cost event series every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 10am. A full schedule is available at ramsdelltheatre.org/midweekmornings/.

Future events at the Ramsdell can be found at www.RamsdellTheatre.org.