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SUMMARY:Mythos & Fantasy Opening Reception
DESCRIPTION:The Matthews has been selected as a participant in the 2023 NEA Big Read and is excited to announce the “Fantasy and Mythos” art exhibition! \nThis year’s Big Read novel is Madeline Miller’s fantasy\, Circe. To celebrate the novel’s theme of magic and lore\, we are exhibiting works of art that reflect fantasy\, legend\, mystery\, and the imaginative spirit! The exhibition will be open to the public until Friday\, March 24. \n An opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Friday\, January 13 from 5-7 pm in the Matthews Gallery. The public is welcome to attend this reception which will include the first look at exhibited artwork\, free hors d’ oeuvres and a cash bar. \nAbout the NEA Big Read\nThe National Endowment for the Arts Big Read\, a partnership with Arts Midwest\, broadens our understanding of our world\, our communities\, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. Since 2006\, the National Endowment for the Arts has funded more than 1\,700 NEA Big Read programs\, providing more than $24 million to organizations nationwide. In addition\, NEA Big Read activities have reached every Congressional district in the country. Over the past 16 years\, grantees have leveraged more than $56 million in local funding to support their NEA Big Read programs. More than 5.9 million Americans have attended an NEA Big Read event\, over 97\,000 volunteers have participated at the local level\, and over 40\,000 community organizations have partnered to make NEA Big Read activities possible. \nVisit arts.gov/neabigread for more information about the NEA Big Read. Organizations interested in applying for an NEA Big Read grant in the future should visit Arts Midwest’s website for more information. \n\n\n\nNEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.\nEl proyecto NEA Big Read es una iniciativa del National Endowment for the Arts (el Fondo Nacional para las Artes de Estados Unidos) en cooperación con Arts Midwest
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CATEGORIES:Special Events
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230112T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230112T200000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
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SUMMARY:Mystical Masks
DESCRIPTION:The Matthews Opera House & Arts Center is excited to announce “Mystical Masks\,” an artists’ workshop on Thursday\, January 12 at 5 pm in the Matthews Gallery.  Using different styles of sculpting with shaping and designing air dry foam clay\, participants will build on top of prefabricated masks to create a unique and one-of-a-kind mask with a mythological aim. \nThis workshop is free to attend\, however\, space is limited to 6 participants. Registration is required.\nContact the Matthews Community Engagement Manager at (605) 717-6967 or email engage@matthewsopera.com to reserve your spot \nAbout the NEA Big Read\nThe National Endowment for the Arts Big Read\, a partnership with Arts Midwest\, broadens our understanding of our world\, our communities\, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. Since 2006\, the National Endowment for the Arts has funded more than 1\,700 NEA Big Read programs\, providing more than $24 million to organizations nationwide. In addition\, NEA Big Read activities have reached every Congressional district in the country. Over the past 16 years\, grantees have leveraged more than $56 million in local funding to support their NEA Big Read programs. More than 5.9 million Americans have attended an NEA Big Read event\, over 97\,000 volunteers have participated at the local level\, and over 40\,000 community organizations have partnered to make NEA Big Read activities possible. \nVisit arts.gov/neabigread for more information about the NEA Big Read. Organizations interested in applying for an NEA Big Read grant in the future should visit Arts Midwest’s website for more information. \n\n\n\nNEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.\nEl proyecto NEA Big Read es una iniciativa del National Endowment for the Arts (el Fondo Nacional para las Artes de Estados Unidos) en cooperación con Arts Midwest
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230111T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230111T130000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
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SUMMARY:Bellman Brown Bag Series: Bruce Junek
DESCRIPTION:Join us Wednesday\, January 11 at noon as this month’s Bellman Brown Bag speaker\, Bruce Junek\, joins us in the Matthews theater. Bruce will be presenting the slide show A Writer’s Life of Adventure- Fact &Fiction during this free event. \nThis program highlights how Bruce’s travels and bicycle journeys with his wife\, Tass Thacker\, through 54 countries led to a career as a writer\, explorer\, photographer\, speaker\, filmmaker\, and above all else\, storyteller. Bruce has written two travel narratives\, The Road of Dreams and Andes to the Amazon\, a rock climbing guidebook\, produced the documentary film\, Bruce and Tass Bicycle China\, and also recently published a 4-book fantasy series\, A Bright One Chronicles\, which was greatly influenced by his many expeditions around the world. Don’t miss this fascinating presentation. \n \n  \nAbout the Bellman Brown Bag Series\nThe Bellman Brown Bag series is a humanities program designed to explore ideas\, history\, literature\, art and culture. The Brown Bag program was developed by Dr. Stewart Bellman in the 1990’s. Recognizing the Matthews Opera House as an ideal venue for the exploration of humanities topics\, he engaged a line-up of speakers to present programs on a range of humanities topics each month. \nDr. Bellman was a professor of English at Black Hills State University\, Spearfish\, SD. His teaching career spanned thirty years. Bellman retired from BHSU and passed away in November 2002. \nPrograms are presented on the second Wednesday of each month\, noon to 1pm. Designed to begin and end within the lunch hour\, patrons are invited to bring their lunch\, if desired\, or simply enjoy an hour of learning and entertainment.  This is an opportunity to gain insight into themes that touch our daily lives. \n \nCoffee for the Bellman Brown Bag Series is generously provided by Common Grounds in Spearfish\, SD. \n  \n  \n  \nAbout the NEA Big Read\nThe National Endowment for the Arts Big Read\, a partnership with Arts Midwest\, broadens our understanding of our world\, our communities\, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. Since 2006\, the National Endowment for the Arts has funded more than 1\,700 NEA Big Read programs\, providing more than $24 million to organizations nationwide. In addition\, NEA Big Read activities have reached every Congressional district in the country. Over the past 16 years\, grantees have leveraged more than $56 million in local funding to support their NEA Big Read programs. More than 5.9 million Americans have attended an NEA Big Read event\, over 97\,000 volunteers have participated at the local level\, and over 40\,000 community organizations have partnered to make NEA Big Read activities possible. \nVisit arts.gov/neabigread for more information about the NEA Big Read. Organizations interested in applying for an NEA Big Read grant in the future should visit Arts Midwest’s website for more information. \n\n\n\nNEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.\nEl proyecto NEA Big Read es una iniciativa del National Endowment for the Arts (el Fondo Nacional para las Artes de Estados Unidos) en cooperación con Arts Midwest
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CATEGORIES:Lectures & Readings
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230110T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230110T133000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
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SUMMARY:Author Talks at the Matthews
DESCRIPTION:Author Talks at the Matthews returns with a new lineup of local writers ready to dive into their stories\, their methods\, and their inspirations. Join us in the fireplace room every Tuesday at 12:30 for an hour with some of the best authors in the Black Hills area! \nAre you interested in presenting an Author Talk? Contact us at 605-717-6967 or engage@matthewsopera.com \nFeatured author…\nJanuary 10: Karen Holzer and Bill Feterl\nThis week’s Author Talks will feature “Let’s Feed the Fish\,” written by Kindra Gordon\, Karen Holzer\, and Joanna Jones and illustrated by local artist\, Bill Feterl. Feterl will discuss the process he used to plan and create his artwork as well as the planning and organization of the pages\, how the text was chosen\, and the printing process.\n\nThe book tells the story of two young boys visiting the D.C. Booth Fish Hatchery in Spearfish. Two excited young boys explore the D.C. Booth\, zig zagging through the scenic grounds learning about raceways\, touring a museum\, visiting the Booth House\, and feeding the fish.\nComing Soon…\nJanuary 17: South Dakota State Poetry Society \nSouth Dakota State Poetry Society (SDSPS) came into existence in 1926. It has operated continuously publishing two volumes of Pasque Petals annually. SDSPS poets Heidi Moseley\, Jean Helmer and others\, as weather permits\, will share readings from Pasque Petals\, and discuss the of writing poetry. Information on membership and on how to submit works for publication will also be provided. \nJean Helmer writes of experiences garnered farming and ranching\, and of her careers in classrooms and rural church pulpits. She and husband Gary live near Belle Fourche with their literary pups\, Annie\nGrabstreak and Ginny Woolf. She is published in Pasque Petals\, and in various SD and WY anthologies. \nHolly Moseley lives in Camp Crook. She is secretary of the South Dakota State Poetry Society\, and belongs to both the Belle Fourche and Bearlodge Writers groups. Her poems have been published in Pasque Petals\, several anthologies\, and South Dakota Magazine.
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CATEGORIES:makeSPACE
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20230106T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20230106T210000
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SUMMARY:Locals Only: Adda Boyd\, Randy Hedge and The String Goats
DESCRIPTION:The Matthews\, in partnership with Spread the Tunes\, is excited to bring you Locals Only as part of our “JAM-uary” music series! Locals Only is a multi-musician event featuring local musicians Adda Boyd\, Randy Hedge and The String Goats on Friday\, January 6 at 7 pm. General admission tickets for this single event are $12 in advance or $15 day of show. The entire concert series can also be purchased for a discounted price of $40! \nThis concert benefits The Front Porch Coalition\, a unified front for suicide prevention. \n\nAbout the Bands\nThe String Goats\nThe String Goats are a Spearfish bluegrass supergroup of sorts\, featuring members of Six Mile Road (Jake Jackson on fiddle & vocals\, Trappor Masson on banjo\, and Mike Brennan on bass)\, along with Humbletown’s Dylan Lewis on guitar & vocals.  They’ve been playing around the Spearfish area since early 2022.  “Pure\, simple\, South Dakota bluegrass.” \n  \nAdda Boyd\nSpearfish up-and-comer Adda Boyd continues to make a name for herself as a confident new voice in neo-traditional country. Adda’s fresh off a solo performance at the world-famous Ruffed Up Duck Saloon in Laramie\, part of the first-ever Western AF Music Showcase. \n[arve url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=ZG-VfIIxjPc” loop=”no” muted=”no” /] \n\n\nRandy Hedge\nRandy Hedge\, known locally as “The Singin’ Pastor\,” is a local singer/songwriter\, and pastor for The United Church of Christ in Spearfish. After spending his career as a university counselor in Wisconsin and North Dakota\, circumstances led him to our neck of the woods. This is his Matthews premier. He spent his growing-up years in the Black Hills and Wyoming.  Back then\, he listened to everything from the Eagles to the Beatles and James Taylor. Randy learned to play guitar one summer at the family cabin in Spearfish Canyon in the Black Hills and has been playing\, writing\, and performing regularly his whole life. His full-time work has been in education and in ministry\, but music has always been part of who he is.  And\, it’s no surprise he leans toward songs that are from the heart. Randy has played in clubs and restaurants and at church since high school.  These days?  You might see him in a wine bar\, a microbrewery\, or at events like weddings and festivals (although he’s not the dance guy). He plays mostly solo\, and his song list is much longer and wider than it was back in the day. \n[arve url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da7rrvMDZFY” loop=”no” muted=”no” /]
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CATEGORIES:Music
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221219T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221219T130000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
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SUMMARY:NEW DATE: Spearfish Piano Duet Club
DESCRIPTION:Please join us as the December Bellman Brown Bag Series rings in the holidays with Spearfish Piano Duet Club’s “Music for the Season.” This special holiday concert will take place in the Matthews theater on Wednesday\, December 14 from noon until 1 p.m. \nThis highly popular event packs the house\, so it’s wise to arrive early for a good seat. The balcony will be opened only after all the main floor seats are full. This event is free and open to the public. \nThe club has performed as part of the popular Bellman Brown Bag series since 2004. Performers include Sandra Asheim\, Pamela Baum\, Laurie Behrens\, Sue Cole\, Donna Dettman\, Kathy Ewing\, Ramona Hauk\, Ardyth Helmer\, Rita Hicks\, Constance Hubbard\, Laura Kolb\, Janeen Larsen\, Colleen McKirdy\, Emma McKirdy-Wilsey\, Lori Miller\, Angela O’Shea\, Stacey Potter\, and Marilee Woodard. \nThe Spearfish Duet Club began in 2003\, under the leadership of Synva Chrysler and Marianne Bieber\, as a way for intermediate and advanced pianists to maintain their piano skills and at the same time have fun and enjoy each others’ musical talents. Members of the community and BHSU music students are involved in the performance and rehearsal activities\, organized by Dr. Janeen Larsen. \n  \nAbout the Bellman Brown Bag Series\nThe Bellman Brown Bag series is a humanities program designed to explore ideas\, history\, literature\, art and culture. The Brown Bag program was developed by Dr. Stewart Bellman in the 1990’s. Recognizing the Matthews Opera House as an ideal venue for the exploration of humanities topics\, he engaged a line-up of speakers to present programs on a range of humanities topics each month. \nDr. Bellman was a professor of English at Black Hills State University\, Spearfish\, SD. His teaching career spanned thirty years. Bellman retired from BHSU and passed away in November 2002. \nPrograms are presented on the second Wednesday of each month\, noon to 1pm. Designed to begin and end within the lunch hour\, patrons are invited to bring their lunch\, if desired\, or simply enjoy an hour of learning and entertainment.  This is an opportunity to gain insight into themes that touch our daily lives. \n \nCoffee for the Bellman Brown Bag Series is generously provided by Common Grounds in Spearfish\, SD. \n  \n 
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CATEGORIES:Lectures & Readings
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221218T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221218T160000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
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SUMMARY:Sophia Beatty Band
DESCRIPTION:Holiday jazz is back at the Matthews! \nJoin us on Sunday\, December 18 at 2 pm as Black Hills singer/songwriter Sophia Beatty gives a special holiday performance. Expect to hear some of your favorite Christmas songs\, as well as many of the most popular jazz songs made famous by artists like Ella Fitzgerald\, Nat King Cole\, and Billie Holiday. Sophia will be accompanied by a full jazz band. You won’t want to miss this “one day only” event! \nA variety of seating options are available for this event:\nBalcony seating: $25 for advance reservations; $30 day of show.\nCabaret-style seating: Table seating on the main floor with bottle service of premium wines. $35 per seat for advance reservations; $40 day of show\nHistoric Box seating: We’ve opened the historic opera boxes that flank the stage! These premium seats are extremely limited. Each box includes a complimentary bottle of wine and hors d’ouvres. $75 per seat\, advance reservations only. \nA cash bar will also be available throughout the event. \nEnjoy good wine\, great jazz\, and celebrate the holidays with the Matthews! \n \nAbout Sophia Beatty\n \nBased in the Black Hills of South Dakota\, 25-year-old singer and songwriter Sophia Beatty sings with passion and heart that can be truly felt. She is known for her ability to sing classic jazz and soul cover music. From Etta James to Ella Fitzgerald to Aretha Franklin\, she covers a whole variety of well known music that gets people up on their feet and singing along. \nBuilding on this creative powerhouse of covers\, Sophia has recently taken to the streets to share her original creations as well\, which have been applauded greatly by the regional music community. She is already well on her way to becoming a staple of the northern plains musical experience. Sophia’s gift of synesthesia makes her original acoustic songs unique and emotionally moving. The journey her music will bring you on is something one must experience when traveling through the Black Hills.
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CATEGORIES:Music
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221212T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221212T170000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
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SUMMARY:Big Read Book Giveaway Kickoff
DESCRIPTION:The Matthews is a recipient of the 2023 NEA Big Read grant! We are one of 62 nonprofit organizations to receive this year’s NEA Big Read grant. The NEA Big Read: Spearfish will focus on Circe by Madaline Miller with mythologically-themed activities taking place January – March 2023. Keep your eye on our calendar of events as we announce all of the upcoming fun! Many events will be free for participants and include art workshops\, films\, and lectures! \nAlong with The Matthews\, Grace Balloch Memorial Library\, and the Black Hill State University School of Arts and Humanities are project partners offering many Big Read events during this program. \nStarting Tuesday\, December 12\, free copies of Circe will be available for pick up in the Matthews Gallery. \nThe magic begins January 2023\n\n“Witches are not so delicate.”\nfrom her book\, Circe\nIn the house of Helios\, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans\, a daughter is born. But Circe is a strange child–not powerful\, like her father\, nor viciously alluring like her mother. Turning to the world of mortals for companionship\, she discovers that she does possess power–the power of witchcraft\, which can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves. \nThreatened\, Zeus banishes her to a deserted island\, where she hones her occult craft\, tames wild beasts\, and crosses paths with many of the most famous figures in all of mythology\, including the Minotaur\, Daedalus\, and his doomed son Icarus\, the murderous Medea\, and\, of course\, wily Odysseus. \nBut there is danger\, too\, for a woman who stands alone\, and Circe unwittingly draws the wrath of both men and gods\, ultimately finding herself pitted against one of the most terrifying and vengeful of the Olympians. To protect what she loves most\, Circe must summon all her strength and choose\, once and for all\, whether she belongs with the gods she is born from\, or the mortals she has come to love. \nWith unforgettably vivid characters\, mesmerizing language\, and page-turning suspense\, Circe is a triumph of storytelling\, an intoxicating epic of family rivalry\, palace intrigue\, love\, and loss\, as well as a celebration of indomitable female strength in a man’s world. \n \n\n\n  \n\n\nAbout the Author\nMadeline Miller grew up in New York City and Philadelphia. She attended Brown University\, where she earned her BA and MA in Classics. She has taught and tutored Latin\, Greek\, and Shakespeare to high school students for over fifteen years. \nShe has also studied at the University of Chicago’s Committee on Social Thought\, and in the Dramaturgy department at Yale School of Drama\, where she focused on the adaptation of classical texts to modern forms. \nThe Song of Achilles\, her first novel\, was awarded the 2012 Orange Prize for Fiction and was a New York Times Bestseller. Miller was also shortlisted for the 2012 Stonewall Writer of the Year. Her second novel\, Circe\, was an instant number 1 New York Times bestseller\, and won the Indies Choice Best Adult Fiction of the Year Award and the Indies Choice Best Audiobook of the Year Award\, as well as being shortlisted for the 2019 Women’s Prize for Fiction. Circe also won The Red Tentacle Award\, an American Library Association Alex Award (adult books of special interest to teen readers)\, and the 2018 Elle Big Book Award.  It is currently being adapted for a series with HBO Max. Miller’s novels have been translated into over twenty-five languages including Dutch\, Mandarin\, Japanese\, Turkish\, Arabic and Greek\, and her essays have appeared in a number of publications including the Guardian\, Wall Street Journal\, Washington Post\, Telegraph\, Lapham’s Quarterly and NPR.org. She currently lives outside Philadelphia\, Pennsylvania. \nAbout the NEA Big Read\nThe National Endowment for the Arts Big Read\, a partnership with Arts Midwest\, broadens our understanding of our world\, our communities\, and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. Since 2006\, the National Endowment for the Arts has funded more than 1\,700 NEA Big Read programs\, providing more than $24 million to organizations nationwide. In addition\, NEA Big Read activities have reached every Congressional district in the country. Over the past 16 years\, grantees have leveraged more than $56 million in local funding to support their NEA Big Read programs. More than 5.9 million Americans have attended an NEA Big Read event\, over 97\,000 volunteers have participated at the local level\, and over 40\,000 community organizations have partnered to make NEA Big Read activities possible. \nVisit arts.gov/neabigread for more information about the NEA Big Read. Organizations interested in applying for an NEA Big Read grant in the future should visit Arts Midwest’s website for more information. \n\n\n\nNEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.\nEl proyecto NEA Big Read es una iniciativa del National Endowment for the Arts (el Fondo Nacional para las Artes de Estados Unidos) en cooperación con Arts Midwest \n\n\n 
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/big-read-book-giveaway-kickoff/
CATEGORIES:Big Read
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221209T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221209T200000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
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UID:10000874-1670608800-1670616000@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:The Fantasticks Auditions
DESCRIPTION:The Matthews Opera House and Arts Center is excited to announce open auditions for “The Fantasticks\,” a musical! The show is under direction of Casey S. Hibbert with musical direction provided by Connie Hubbard. Auditions will take place Thursday Dec. 8 & Friday\, Dec. 9 from 6-8 pm in the Matthews theater. All are welcome! \nThe Fantasticks is a funny and romantic musical about a boy\, a girl\, and their two fathers who try to keep them apart. The narrator\, El Gallo\, asks the audience to use their imagination and follow him into a world of moonlight and magic. The boy and the girl fall in love\, grow apart and finally find their way back to each other after realizing the truth in El Gallo’s words that\, “without a hurt\, the heart is hollow.”  \nAudition Dates\nDecember 8 & 9  from 6 – 8 pm; If needed\, callbacks will be held Saturday\, December 10 from 6 – 8 pm. \nDirector’s Note: Everyone is welcome to audition; no prior experience is necessary! We know that this can be a nerve-wracking process and want you to know that we wish you success and enjoyment in this experience. \nHere is some audition info so you know what to expect: Please prepare a song in your key OR sing a song from the show! Perusals are available in the Matthews Gallery. You may also be asked to read sides from the script. Copies will be provided for you. \nPerformance Dates\nApril 14th – 23rd; Friday & Saturday at 7 pm & Sunday at 2 pm  \nAudition Dates\nThursday\, December 8th & Friday December 9th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm; If needed\, callbacks will be held Saturday\, December 10th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.  \nAudition Location: The Matthews Opera House\, 612 Main St. Spearfish\, SD 57783  \nEveryone is welcome to audition; no prior experience is necessary! We know this can be a nerve-wracking process and want you to know that we wish you success and enjoyment in this experience.  \nHere is some audition info so you know what to expect: Please prepare a song in your key. Sing a song from the show! You may also be asked to read sides from the script. Copies will be provided for you.  \nCharacter List: \n*please note: all ages are the age to be played\, not necessarily the age the actor is.  \nThe Narrator (El Gallo)  \nA rakish\, handsome\, sophisticated gallant and narrator of the show. He is warm\, cordial\, and inviting to the audience\, but has his own darker moments. He aids the performers in orchestrating the story.  \nGender: Male  \nAge: 30 to 50  \nVocal range top: G4  \nVocal range bottom: Ab2  \nThe Girl (Luisa)  \nA button maker’s young and pretty daughter\, she is a romantic idealist who falls in love with Matt. She is naive\, yet honest and tender.  \nGender: Female  \nAge: 15 to 25  \nVocal range top: B5  \nVocal range bottom: B3  \nThe Boy (Matt)  \nAn innocent\, young man who is searching for love and adventure. A bright guy\, but naive and even foolish at times\, approaching situations with false bravado.  \nGender: Male  \nAge: 18 to 25  \nVocal range top: G4  \nVocal range bottom: A2  \nThe Boy’s Father (Hucklebee)  \nA former boisterous navy man and meticulous gardener who fakes a fight with Bellomy in hopes of getting their children to fall in love.  \nGender: Male  \nAge: 40 to 60  \nVocal range top: F#4  \nVocal range bottom: A2  \nThe Girl’s Father (Bellomy)  \nA fastidious button-maker and also a picky gardener who fakes a fight with Hucklebee in hopes of getting their  \nchildren together.  \nGender: Male  \nAge: 40 to 60  \nVocal range top: F#4  \nVocal range bottom: A2  \nThe Actor (Henry)  \nAn aging\, over-the-top Thespian who specializes in reciting Shakespeare\, he is a commedia clown; his world is the stage and he knows no other reality.  \nGender: Male  \nAge: 50 to 70  \nThe Man Who Dies (Mortimer)  \nHenry’s goofy sidekick and another former actor who specializes in stage deaths. A commedia clown\, his world is the stage and he does not live in reality.  \nGender: Male  \nAge: 30 to 50  \nThe Mute  \nA speechless presence who watches\, acts as the wall\, and deals with props; the “invisible” stage assistant.  \nShould be able to easily assist in the story or fade into the background unnoticed.  \nGender: Any  \nAge: 20 to 50 
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/the-fantasticks-auditions-2/
CATEGORIES:Theater>Auditions
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221208T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221208T200000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T170559Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T170559Z
UID:10000873-1670522400-1670529600@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:The Fantasticks Auditions
DESCRIPTION:The Matthews Opera House and Arts Center is excited to announce open auditions for “The Fantasticks\,” a musical! The show is under direction of Casey S. Hibbert with musical direction provided by Connie Hubbard. Auditions will take place Thursday Dec. 8 & Friday\, Dec. 9 from 6-8 pm in the Matthews theater. All are welcome! \nThe Fantasticks is a funny and romantic musical about a boy\, a girl\, and their two fathers who try to keep them apart. The narrator\, El Gallo\, asks the audience to use their imagination and follow him into a world of moonlight and magic. The boy and the girl fall in love\, grow apart and finally find their way back to each other after realizing the truth in El Gallo’s words that\, “without a hurt\, the heart is hollow.”  \nAudition Dates\nDecember 8 & 9  from 6 – 8 pm; If needed\, callbacks will be held Saturday\, December 10 from 6 – 8 pm. \nDirector’s Note: Everyone is welcome to audition; no prior experience is necessary! We know that this can be a nerve-wracking process and want you to know that we wish you success and enjoyment in this experience. \nHere is some audition info so you know what to expect: Please prepare a song in your key OR sing a song from the show! Perusals are available in the Matthews Gallery. You may also be asked to read sides from the script. Copies will be provided for you. \nPerformance Dates\nApril 14th – 23rd; Friday & Saturday at 7 pm & Sunday at 2 pm  \nAudition Dates\nThursday\, December 8th & Friday December 9th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm; If needed\, callbacks will be held Saturday\, December 10th from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.  \nAudition Location: The Matthews Opera House\, 612 Main St. Spearfish\, SD 57783  \nEveryone is welcome to audition; no prior experience is necessary! We know this can be a nerve-wracking process and want you to know that we wish you success and enjoyment in this experience.  \nHere is some audition info so you know what to expect: Please prepare a song in your key. Sing a song from the show! You may also be asked to read sides from the script. Copies will be provided for you.  \nCharacter List: \n*please note: all ages are the age to be played\, not necessarily the age the actor is.  \nThe Narrator (El Gallo)  \nA rakish\, handsome\, sophisticated gallant and narrator of the show. He is warm\, cordial\, and inviting to the audience\, but has his own darker moments. He aids the performers in orchestrating the story.  \nGender: Male  \nAge: 30 to 50  \nVocal range top: G4  \nVocal range bottom: Ab2  \nThe Girl (Luisa)  \nA button maker’s young and pretty daughter\, she is a romantic idealist who falls in love with Matt. She is naive\, yet honest and tender.  \nGender: Female  \nAge: 15 to 25  \nVocal range top: B5  \nVocal range bottom: B3  \nThe Boy (Matt)  \nAn innocent\, young man who is searching for love and adventure. A bright guy\, but naive and even foolish at times\, approaching situations with false bravado.  \nGender: Male  \nAge: 18 to 25  \nVocal range top: G4  \nVocal range bottom: A2  \nThe Boy’s Father (Hucklebee)  \nA former boisterous navy man and meticulous gardener who fakes a fight with Bellomy in hopes of getting their children to fall in love.  \nGender: Male  \nAge: 40 to 60  \nVocal range top: F#4  \nVocal range bottom: A2  \nThe Girl’s Father (Bellomy)  \nA fastidious button-maker and also a picky gardener who fakes a fight with Hucklebee in hopes of getting their  \nchildren together.  \nGender: Male  \nAge: 40 to 60  \nVocal range top: F#4  \nVocal range bottom: A2  \nThe Actor (Henry)  \nAn aging\, over-the-top Thespian who specializes in reciting Shakespeare\, he is a commedia clown; his world is the stage and he knows no other reality.  \nGender: Male  \nAge: 50 to 70  \nThe Man Who Dies (Mortimer)  \nHenry’s goofy sidekick and another former actor who specializes in stage deaths. A commedia clown\, his world is the stage and he does not live in reality.  \nGender: Male  \nAge: 30 to 50  \nThe Mute  \nA speechless presence who watches\, acts as the wall\, and deals with props; the “invisible” stage assistant.  \nShould be able to easily assist in the story or fade into the background unnoticed.  \nGender: Any  \nAge: 20 to 50 
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/the-fantasticks-auditions/
CATEGORIES:Theater>Auditions
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221206T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221206T133000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T170619Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T170619Z
UID:10000881-1670329800-1670333400@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:Author Talks at the Matthews
DESCRIPTION:Author Talks at the Matthews returns this fall with a new lineup of local writers ready to dive into their stories\, their methods\, and their inspirations. Join us in the fireplace room every Tuesday at 12:30 for an hour with some of the best authors in the Black Hills area! \nAre you interested in presenting an Author Talk? Contact us at 605-717-6967 or engage@matthewsopera.com \nFeatured author…\nDecember 6: Troy Dobyns\nAt two weeks old\, Troy started traveling with his family due to his father’s Naval career. He and his family lived in many places but always came home to the Black Hills for vacations. When their father retired\, they knew this would be their permanent home. \nIn the spring of 1972\, the family moved to Rapid City just in time to live through the Rapid City flood. Troy’s story is intertwined with several others from the maternal side of his family who also fought the waters of that horrible night in June 1972. These stories are revealed through several accounts of the family but mostly through the eyes of the then-eight-year-old author. The story covers the day of the flood\, the night of the flood\, survivorship\, the aftermath\, and the recovery. \nComing Soon…\nDecember 13: Robyn VanDersys \nRobyn VanDerSys was born in Washington State\, which is where her love for the great outdoors was born.  She has lived in several different states and in 2015 settled in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband and kids. \nHer life has consisted of one adventure to the next\, including racing monster trucks in her early twenties\,  raising three strong children\, riding around Mexico on her four wheeler while living out of a backpack\, and volunteering on a chase team while her husband raced the Baja 1000. \nShe spends her free time off-roading and hiking the many trails of the Black Hills\, and also enjoys traveling and having as many adventures as humanly possible.
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/author-talks-at-the-matthews-14/
CATEGORIES:makeSPACE
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Author-Talks-Header-iJTGoT.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221204T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221204T160000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T160636Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T160636Z
UID:10000869-1670162400-1670169600@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:The Vocal Illusions of Lynn Trefzger
DESCRIPTION:The Matthews Opera House & Arts Center is excited to announce that vocal illusionist Lynn Trefzger is bringing her hilarious friends to life for a one-night-only performance on the Matthews stage Sunday\, December 4 at 2 pm! Please join us for this special presentation that will leave you in stitches! \nAdvance tickets are on sale now for $25 Adults | $10 BHSU and youth\nDay of show $27 Adults | $12 BHSU and youth \nAbout Lynn Trefzger…\nHave you ever had a childhood hobby that got out of hand? That explains Lynn Trefzger’s start as a ventriloquist/comedienne. For over 25 years\, Lynn has given life to a trunk full of comical characters. She has performed for family audiences worldwide. Lynn is Disney Entertainment’s favorite ventriloquist. Audiences are treated to Lynn’s vocal illusion talents when they meet a drunken but lovable camel\, a cantankerous old man\, a feisty little girl\, and you may even see some other audience members who are brought up to the stage for the action! Lynn’s show is spontaneously funny\, no two shows are alike! Her performances are tailored for both family and adult audiences. Lynn and her many voices were first brought to national audiences on TV’s popular “Star Search”\, since then she has performed on TNN\, VH-1\, Lifetime\, and Comedy Central. She received the “People’s Choice Award” from OAPN and has received The American Comedy Award\, NACA Variety Entertainer of the Year and ACPA Comedy Entertainer of the Year. She is featured in the comedy/documentary\, “I’m No Dummy” produced by NBC Universal. This whimsical and insightful hit comedy doc about ventriloquism examines the world of “venting”\, illustrating that this perceived novelty act is an extraordinary art form. Starring alongside veteran ventriloquists\, Tony Award® winner Jay Johnson of sitcom SOAP fame\, and two-time Comedian of the Year\, Jeff Dunham. When Lynn is not performing for audiences worldwide\, she is the managing director for her own family of 5 children and one very patient husband!
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/the-vocal-illusions-of-lynn-trefzger/
CATEGORIES:Special Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221203T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221203T160000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T171026Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T171026Z
UID:10000885-1670076000-1670083200@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:Holidazzle Open House
DESCRIPTION:On Saturday\, Dec. 3\, The Matthews will celebrate the Christmas season with a holiday open house for all ages! From 2-4 pm\, join us in the Matthews Gallery for live music by Chris Davis and Rodney Garnett. Take in the stunning artwork on display in “Art at BHSU\,” an exhibit created by Black Hills State University students and faculty\, while Santa’s elves wrap your gifts. Upstairs\, Santa will be on-site for a photo op with the kiddos (parents\, don’t forget your cameras!) and he’ll be waiting to hear all of their Christmas wishes! Or\, join us in the theater for a showing of “The Polar Express\,” complete with popcorn\, hot chocolate\, and cider! \nThis is a free event\, however\, we appreciate any donations received. As always\, your financial gifts are invested in continued free programming at the Matthews.
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/holidazzle-open-house/
CATEGORIES:Special Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Holidazzle-header-zmbY85.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221129T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221129T133000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T170618Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T170618Z
UID:10000880-1669725000-1669728600@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:Author Talks at the Matthews
DESCRIPTION:Author Talks at the Matthews returns this fall with a new lineup of local writers ready to dive into their stories\, their methods\, and their inspirations. Join us in the fireplace room every Tuesday at 12:30 for an hour with some of the best authors in the Black Hills area! \nAre you interested in presenting an Author Talk? Contact us at 605-717-6967 or engage@matthewsopera.com \nFeatured author…\nNovember 29: Michael Harris\nMichael Harris lives in the Black Hills near Deadwood South Dakota. He is a husband and a father. His first novel “Outlaw Blood” is a Post Apocalyptic Western\, set sometime in the near future after a global economic crash has devastated the world’s countries. \nMichael enjoys shooting\, hiking\, reading\, writing\, and hunting. He has ranched and worked cattle\, served in the U.S. Army for eight years\, been a Law Enforcement Officer\, survived 17 years as Mr. Mom\, and is now an author. \nComing Soon…\nDecember 6: Troy Dobyns \nAt two weeks old\, Troy started traveling with his family due to his father’s Naval career. He and his family lived in many places but always came home to the Black Hills for vacations. When their father retired\, they knew this would be their permanent home. \nIn the spring of 1972\, the family moved to Rapid City just in time to live through the Rapid City flood. Troy’s story is intertwined with several others from the maternal side of his family who also fought the waters of that horrible night in June 1972. These stories are revealed through several accounts of the family but mostly through the eyes of the then-eight-year-old author. The story covers the day of the flood\, the night of the flood\, survivorship\, the aftermath\, and the recovery. \nDecember 13: Robyn VanDersys \nRobyn VanDerSys was born in Washington State\, which is where her love for the great outdoors was born.  She has lived in several different states and in 2015 settled in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband and kids. \nHer life has consisted of one adventure to the next\, including racing monster trucks in her early twenties\,  raising three strong children\, riding around Mexico on her four wheeler while living out of a backpack\, and volunteering on a chase team while her husband raced the Baja 1000. \nShe spends her free time off-roading and hiking the many trails of the Black Hills\, and also enjoys traveling and having as many adventures as humanly possible.
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/author-talks-at-the-matthews-13/
CATEGORIES:makeSPACE
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20221129
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20221130
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T171024Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T171024Z
UID:10000883-1669680000-1669766399@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:South Dakota Day of Giving
DESCRIPTION:On Tuesday\, November 29\, the Matthews Opera House & Arts Center\, along with the entire state of South Dakota\, will be celebrating South Dakota Day of Giving. This is a day to celebrate all the nonprofits in our state and the incredible work they do! As a 501c3 organization ourselves\, we want to thank YOU for supporting us this past year. Whether you have donated money or time\, attended a performance\, or even just shared one of our posts on social media…..you have helped our mission here at the Matthews Opera House! \nThe Matthews Opera House theater in 1925\, during a production of “Tom Thumb’s Wedding\nSouth Dakota Day of Giving\, affectionately dubbed “Giving Tuesday\,” celebrates its fourth year on November 29\, when it connects local nonprofits with their supporters through acts of philanthropy. Conceived by South Dakota Gives\, Giving Tuesday allows donors to make donations directly to nonprofits like the Matthews with 100% of the funds supporting their chosen organization. \nDONATE TODAY! \nCommunity performers presented “Annie Get Your Gun” in 1989 on the Matthews stage.\nWhen you invest in the Matthews\, you foster creativity\, opportunity\, and culture in our community. \nHere’s a quick snapshot of the programming you helped support in 2022: \nFree and equity-based programming abounds at MOH\, including the Bellman Brown Bag Lecture Series (pictured)\, Author Talks\, artist workshops and a thriving children’s theater camp.\n\n(12) Bellman Brown Brown Bag lectures covering a variety of subjects: everything from history to live piano performances. These events are completely free to attend.\n(10) 3-hour artist workshops led by practicing artists. Not only were these events free to attend but all supplies were provided to participants!\n(33) Author Talks featuring local authors across genres from poetry to self-help to fiction. These events are free to attend with coffee and freshly-baked treats available.\n(120) children registered for the 2022 Froelich Youth Actors Guild children’s theater camp held in June\n(4) gallery exhibit opening receptions\n(6) community theater performances including mainstage shows\, a month of reader’s theater\, Theater on the Run\, and a brand new collaborative performance with the Homestake Opera House and Belle Fourche Community Theater!\n(52) weeks of Open makeSPACE Hours\, in which participants are invited to gather in the Matthews Gallery workroom to create and fellowship with other artists\, with complete access to donated supplies.\n(14) special events featuring national and international talent including Sierra Ferrell\, Eliza Blue\, and Sophia Beatty\nThe 44th annual Festival in the Park\, a Spearfish tradition\, and the Matthews largest fundraising event of the year!\n\nThe Matthews Gallery champions local artists and fosters creativity through free programming.\nIn addition to great programming\, the Matthews also strives to champion emerging artists and performers\, giving them experience and exposure during the first blush of their careers. With the Matthews umbrella covering everything from humanities to visual and performing arts\, opportunities are abundant for budding creatives. Through your gifts\, we’re able to provide a safe space for artists to create\, perform\, and exhibit and believe us when we say\, some of them are going to be really big! \nDid you know ticket sales cover only about 18 percent of the Matthews annual operating expenses?\nIn recent years\, the organization’s annual budget has largely been supplemented by grants\, which are becoming increasingly competitive for nonprofits like the Matthews to obtain.  \nHow will your donations help in 2023?\n\nWe hope to expand our current free and equity-based programming\, continuing to make the arts available to everyone.\nOur back stairwell is in need of repair due to significant water damage.\nWe need a new movie projector in the theater (the current projector is more than 20 years old and no longer reliable).\nHistoric preservation means continual interior building maintenance and repairs to our building (such as new carpeting in the lobby and ceiling repairs to remedy cracks).\nWe would love to expand opportunities to our local kiddos through the Froelich Young Actors Guild children’s theater camp.\n\nThank you for Giving! Your gifts of a single day impact our ability to function effectively over the coming year. We are so grateful for your support! \nDONATE NOW! \nThe Matthews theater continues to entertain 116 years after opening its doors for the first time. (Audiences loved “The Nerd\,” starring Kirk Hauck\, Bruce Woodard\, Shaley Lensegrav\, and Mitchell Mechaley)
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/south-dakota-day-of-giving/
CATEGORIES:Special Events
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221120T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221120T160000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T160438Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T160438Z
UID:10000867-1668952800-1668960000@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:Southern Hospitality
DESCRIPTION:The saga continues! The Matthews Opera House is excited to present “Southern Hospitality\,” the final installment in the Futrelle sisters trilogy. The fun begins on Friday\, November 11 at 7 pm and continues November 12\, 18 and 19 at 7 pm with matinee performances on Sunday November 13 and 20 at 2 pm. \nAdvance tickets: $17 Adults | $10 BHSU & Youth\nDay of Show: $20 Adults | $12 BHSU & Youth \nThe Story…\nIn this rapid-fire\, hilarious romp\, the Futrelle Sisters—Frankie\, Twink\, Honey Raye and Rhonda Lynn—are in trouble again. This time\, their beloved hometown\, Fayro\, Texas\, is in danger of disappearing and it’s up to the sisters to save it from extinction. But their plans to do so quickly go haywire. Honey Raye\, with a major assist from her former nemesis\, Geneva Musgrave\, comes up with a solution to bring back businesses and residents. It seems a salsa manufacturing factory is looking to relocate and a company representative is headed to Fayro on a scouting mission. Honey Raye makes promises that are not to be believed in order to woo the rep to choose Fayro. In fact\, Honey Raye has told them that on the very weekend of the rep’s visit just four days away\, the town happens to be having their biggest celebration of the year: “Fayro Days\,” which includes a craft show\, a pet costume parade\, a beauty pageant and a huge battle reenactment. Problem? That’s news to the citizens of Fayro who have to quickly band together to make her promises a reality. Added to this is the dilemma of Twink being so desperate to get married that she’s dragging the unwilling groom\, Deputy John Curtis Buntner\, to the altar. Frankie\, however\, seems to have it worst of all\, what with her husband\, Dub\, going through a major mid-life crisis at the same time her five-year-old twins are literally tearing up the town. And unfortunately for all of them\, the “meanest woman in twelve counties\,” Dub’s wicked\, old Aunt Iney\, is on her way for a visit. Iney’s arrival in Fayro is definitely cause for alarm for the sisters; but it’s nothing compared to Rhonda Lynn’s panic when she causes the old girl to drop dead in the Dubberly home just before the salsa rep shows up. But how the Futrelle sisters and the other citizens of Fayro\, including sweet\, simple\, Raynerd Chisum\, pull together and save their town is a testament to Southern strength and ingenuity—and a recipe for total hilarity. A laugh-out-loud farce and a stand-alone play in its own right\, SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY is the third play in the trilogy that began with Dearly Beloved and continued with Christmas Belles.
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/southern-hospitality-6/
CATEGORIES:Theater
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221119T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221119T210000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T160437Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T160437Z
UID:10000866-1668884400-1668891600@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:Southern Hospitality
DESCRIPTION:The saga continues! The Matthews Opera House is excited to present “Southern Hospitality\,” the final installment in the Futrelle sisters trilogy. The fun begins on Friday\, November 11 at 7 pm and continues November 12\, 18 and 19 at 7 pm with matinee performances on Sunday November 13 and 20 at 2 pm. \nAdvance tickets: $17 Adults | $10 BHSU & Youth\nDay of Show: $20 Adults | $12 BHSU & Youth \nThe Story…\nIn this rapid-fire\, hilarious romp\, the Futrelle Sisters—Frankie\, Twink\, Honey Raye and Rhonda Lynn—are in trouble again. This time\, their beloved hometown\, Fayro\, Texas\, is in danger of disappearing and it’s up to the sisters to save it from extinction. But their plans to do so quickly go haywire. Honey Raye\, with a major assist from her former nemesis\, Geneva Musgrave\, comes up with a solution to bring back businesses and residents. It seems a salsa manufacturing factory is looking to relocate and a company representative is headed to Fayro on a scouting mission. Honey Raye makes promises that are not to be believed in order to woo the rep to choose Fayro. In fact\, Honey Raye has told them that on the very weekend of the rep’s visit just four days away\, the town happens to be having their biggest celebration of the year: “Fayro Days\,” which includes a craft show\, a pet costume parade\, a beauty pageant and a huge battle reenactment. Problem? That’s news to the citizens of Fayro who have to quickly band together to make her promises a reality. Added to this is the dilemma of Twink being so desperate to get married that she’s dragging the unwilling groom\, Deputy John Curtis Buntner\, to the altar. Frankie\, however\, seems to have it worst of all\, what with her husband\, Dub\, going through a major mid-life crisis at the same time her five-year-old twins are literally tearing up the town. And unfortunately for all of them\, the “meanest woman in twelve counties\,” Dub’s wicked\, old Aunt Iney\, is on her way for a visit. Iney’s arrival in Fayro is definitely cause for alarm for the sisters; but it’s nothing compared to Rhonda Lynn’s panic when she causes the old girl to drop dead in the Dubberly home just before the salsa rep shows up. But how the Futrelle sisters and the other citizens of Fayro\, including sweet\, simple\, Raynerd Chisum\, pull together and save their town is a testament to Southern strength and ingenuity—and a recipe for total hilarity. A laugh-out-loud farce and a stand-alone play in its own right\, SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY is the third play in the trilogy that began with Dearly Beloved and continued with Christmas Belles.
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/southern-hospitality-5/
CATEGORIES:Theater
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221118T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221118T210000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T160436Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T160436Z
UID:10000865-1668798000-1668805200@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:Southern Hospitality
DESCRIPTION:The saga continues! The Matthews Opera House is excited to present “Southern Hospitality\,” the final installment in the Futrelle sisters trilogy. The fun begins on Friday\, November 11 at 7 pm and continues November 12\, 18 and 19 at 7 pm with matinee performances on Sunday November 13 and 20 at 2 pm. \nAdvance tickets: $17 Adults | $10 BHSU & Youth\nDay of Show: $20 Adults | $12 BHSU & Youth \nThe Story…\nIn this rapid-fire\, hilarious romp\, the Futrelle Sisters—Frankie\, Twink\, Honey Raye and Rhonda Lynn—are in trouble again. This time\, their beloved hometown\, Fayro\, Texas\, is in danger of disappearing and it’s up to the sisters to save it from extinction. But their plans to do so quickly go haywire. Honey Raye\, with a major assist from her former nemesis\, Geneva Musgrave\, comes up with a solution to bring back businesses and residents. It seems a salsa manufacturing factory is looking to relocate and a company representative is headed to Fayro on a scouting mission. Honey Raye makes promises that are not to be believed in order to woo the rep to choose Fayro. In fact\, Honey Raye has told them that on the very weekend of the rep’s visit just four days away\, the town happens to be having their biggest celebration of the year: “Fayro Days\,” which includes a craft show\, a pet costume parade\, a beauty pageant and a huge battle reenactment. Problem? That’s news to the citizens of Fayro who have to quickly band together to make her promises a reality. Added to this is the dilemma of Twink being so desperate to get married that she’s dragging the unwilling groom\, Deputy John Curtis Buntner\, to the altar. Frankie\, however\, seems to have it worst of all\, what with her husband\, Dub\, going through a major mid-life crisis at the same time her five-year-old twins are literally tearing up the town. And unfortunately for all of them\, the “meanest woman in twelve counties\,” Dub’s wicked\, old Aunt Iney\, is on her way for a visit. Iney’s arrival in Fayro is definitely cause for alarm for the sisters; but it’s nothing compared to Rhonda Lynn’s panic when she causes the old girl to drop dead in the Dubberly home just before the salsa rep shows up. But how the Futrelle sisters and the other citizens of Fayro\, including sweet\, simple\, Raynerd Chisum\, pull together and save their town is a testament to Southern strength and ingenuity—and a recipe for total hilarity. A laugh-out-loud farce and a stand-alone play in its own right\, SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY is the third play in the trilogy that began with Dearly Beloved and continued with Christmas Belles.
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/southern-hospitality-4/
CATEGORIES:Theater
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Southern-Hospitality-header-wFbNG9.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221118T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221118T190000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T170615Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T170615Z
UID:10000878-1668790800-1668798000@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:"Art At BHSU" Opening Reception
DESCRIPTION:The Matthews Opera House and Arts Center is excited to host “Art at BHSU\,” an exhibit featuring the art of Black Hills State University students\, staff\, and faculty! The Matthews will celebrate this special exhibit with an opening reception on Friday\, November 18 from 5-7 pm at the Matthews Gallery. The public is welcome to attend this reception which will include the first look at exhibited artwork\, free hors d’ oeuvres and a cash bar as well as special guest speakers at 6 pm. \nThe exhibition will be on display in the Matthews Gallery from November 18 – January 6 during regular business hours\, Monday – Friday\, 10 am – 5 pm.
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/art-at-bhsu-opening-reception/
CATEGORIES:Visual Arts
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221116T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221116T130000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T170602Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T170602Z
UID:10000876-1668600000-1668603600@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:Bellman Brown Bag Series: Tim Velder
DESCRIPTION:Join us Wednesday\, November 16 at noon as Tim Velder presents this month’s Bellman Brown Bag Series lecture. Tim will present information on a person who is likely not well-known to area aviation enthusiasts: Neva Esmay. Ms. Esmay’s adventures deserve to be remembered for many reasons\, particularly for a prairie-raised girl whose fearless appetite for doing her bit\, was just what America needed in 1941 and beyond. \nNeva Esmay was born on March 26\, 1918\, at Draper to Roy and Edith Dean Esmay. She grew up in the Castle Rock area and was home-schooled. She graduated from Newell High School and went on to attend Spearfish Normal School. After graduating with a teaching certificate\, she began a life-changing journey. She became a licensed pilot and worked for the Spearfish Airport. She had many memorable experiences including stunt flying\, being caught on a cross-country flight when Pearl Harbor was attacked and all airports were shut down. She and Clyde Ice dropped food and supplies on top of Devil’s Tower when George Hopkins was stranded there after parachuting down on top of the tower. She also packed parachutes for the government. Neva was one of the very first women to ever get a commercial pilot’s license in the state of South Dakota. \nAbout the presenter\nTim Velder grew up in the Newell area and graduated from BHSU in 1991. He worked at northern Black Hills newspapers in Belle Fourche\, Newell\, Spearfish\, and Deadwood\, before going full-time with the Rapid City Journal in 1998. He took a new position as marketing and communications specialist with Powder River Energy in Sundance\, WY\, in 2011\, and lives there with his wife Gerri. He has one child in high school\, one at college in Laramie\, and one teaching in Sheridan. Tim has had an interest in local history since his college days under David Miller. He has presented research to various historical groups for the past 30 years and is currently vice-president of the West River History Conference. \nAbout the Bellman Brown Bag Series\nThe Bellman Brown Bag series is a humanities program designed to explore ideas\, history\, literature\, art and culture. The Brown Bag program was developed by Dr. Stewart Bellman in the 1990’s. Recognizing the Matthews Opera House as an ideal venue for the exploration of humanities topics\, he engaged a line-up of speakers to present programs on a range of humanities topics each month. \nDr. Bellman was a professor of English at Black Hills State University\, Spearfish\, SD. His teaching career spanned thirty years. Bellman retired from BHSU and passed away in November 2002. \nPrograms are presented on the second Wednesday of each month\, noon to 1pm. Designed to begin and end within the lunch hour\, patrons are invited to bring their lunch\, if desired\, or simply enjoy an hour of learning and entertainment.  This is an opportunity to gain insight into themes that touch our daily lives. \n \nCoffee for the Bellman Brown Bag Series is generously provided by Common Grounds in Spearfish\, SD. \n  \n 
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/bellman-brown-bag-series-tim-velder/
CATEGORIES:Lectures & Readings
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221115T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221115T133000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T160215Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T160215Z
UID:10000856-1668515400-1668519000@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:Author Talks at the Matthews
DESCRIPTION:Author Talks at the Matthews returns this fall with a new lineup of local writers ready to dive into their stories\, their methods\, and their inspirations. Join us in the fireplace room every Tuesday at 12:30 for an hour with some of the best authors in the Black Hills area! \nAre you interested in presenting an Author Talk? Contact us at 605-717-6967 or engage@matthewsopera.com \nFeatured author…\nNovember 15: Courtney Huse-Wika & BHSU Writing Class\nCourtney Huse-Wika believes in the art of collection: overheard quotes\, forgotten stories\, and sometimes animals. She is the author of Perch\, a chapbook of nature poetry from Anchor and Plume Press\, and was named a finalist for the 2021 James Hearst Poetry Prize from North American Review\, and a 2020 Honorable Mention for the New Millennium Writing Awards.  Her creative work has appeared widely\, including CALYX\, The Halcyone\, New Ohio Review\, South Dakota Review\, Kindred\, South Dakota Magazine\, South Dakota in Poems\,  Midwestern Gothic\, Scissors and Spackle\, Backwards City Review\, and the MacGuffin.  She received her BA in philosophy and English from Augustana University\, her MA and PhD in English with a specialization in creative writing from the University of South Dakota\, and is currently an Associate Professor of English and Distinguished Faculty at Black Hills State University. \nComing Soon…\nNovember 29: Michael Harris \nMichael Harris lives in the Black Hills near Deadwood South Dakota. He is a husband and a father. His first novel “Outlaw Blood” is a Post Apocalyptic Western\, set sometime in the near future after a global economic crash has devastated the world’s countries. \nMichael enjoys shooting\, hiking\, reading\, writing\, and hunting. He has ranched and worked cattle\, served in the U.S. Army for eight years\, been a Law Enforcement Officer\, survived 17 years as Mr. Mom\, and is now an author. \nDecember 6: Troy Dobyns \nAt two weeks old\, Troy started traveling with his family due to his father’s Naval career. He and his family lived in many places but always came home to the Black Hills for vacations. When their father retired\, they knew this would be their permanent home. \nIn the spring of 1972\, the family moved to Rapid City just in time to live through the Rapid City flood. Troy’s story is intertwined with several others from the maternal side of his family who also fought the waters of that horrible night in June 1972. These stories are revealed through several accounts of the family but mostly through the eyes of the then-eight-year-old author. The story covers the day of the flood\, the night of the flood\, survivorship\, the aftermath\, and the recovery. \nDecember 13: Robyn VanDersys \nRobyn VanDerSys was born in Washington State\, which is where her love for the great outdoors was born.  She has lived in several different states and in 2015 settled in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband and kids. \nHer life has consisted of one adventure to the next\, including racing monster trucks in her early twenties\,  raising three strong children\, riding around Mexico on her four wheeler while living out of a backpack\, and volunteering on a chase team while her husband raced the Baja 1000. \nShe spends her free time off-roading and hiking the many trails of the Black Hills\, and also enjoys traveling and having as many adventures as humanly possible.
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/author-talks-at-the-matthews-11/
CATEGORIES:makeSPACE
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221113T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221113T160000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T160435Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T160435Z
UID:10000864-1668348000-1668355200@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:Southern Hospitality
DESCRIPTION:The saga continues! The Matthews Opera House is excited to present “Southern Hospitality\,” the final installment in the Futrelle sisters trilogy. The fun begins on Friday\, November 11 at 7 pm and continues November 12\, 18 and 19 at 7 pm with matinee performances on Sunday November 13 and 20 at 2 pm. \nAdvance tickets: $17 Adults | $10 BHSU & Youth\nDay of Show: $20 Adults | $12 BHSU & Youth \nThe Story…\nIn this rapid-fire\, hilarious romp\, the Futrelle Sisters—Frankie\, Twink\, Honey Raye and Rhonda Lynn—are in trouble again. This time\, their beloved hometown\, Fayro\, Texas\, is in danger of disappearing and it’s up to the sisters to save it from extinction. But their plans to do so quickly go haywire. Honey Raye\, with a major assist from her former nemesis\, Geneva Musgrave\, comes up with a solution to bring back businesses and residents. It seems a salsa manufacturing factory is looking to relocate and a company representative is headed to Fayro on a scouting mission. Honey Raye makes promises that are not to be believed in order to woo the rep to choose Fayro. In fact\, Honey Raye has told them that on the very weekend of the rep’s visit just four days away\, the town happens to be having their biggest celebration of the year: “Fayro Days\,” which includes a craft show\, a pet costume parade\, a beauty pageant and a huge battle reenactment. Problem? That’s news to the citizens of Fayro who have to quickly band together to make her promises a reality. Added to this is the dilemma of Twink being so desperate to get married that she’s dragging the unwilling groom\, Deputy John Curtis Buntner\, to the altar. Frankie\, however\, seems to have it worst of all\, what with her husband\, Dub\, going through a major mid-life crisis at the same time her five-year-old twins are literally tearing up the town. And unfortunately for all of them\, the “meanest woman in twelve counties\,” Dub’s wicked\, old Aunt Iney\, is on her way for a visit. Iney’s arrival in Fayro is definitely cause for alarm for the sisters; but it’s nothing compared to Rhonda Lynn’s panic when she causes the old girl to drop dead in the Dubberly home just before the salsa rep shows up. But how the Futrelle sisters and the other citizens of Fayro\, including sweet\, simple\, Raynerd Chisum\, pull together and save their town is a testament to Southern strength and ingenuity—and a recipe for total hilarity. A laugh-out-loud farce and a stand-alone play in its own right\, SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY is the third play in the trilogy that began with Dearly Beloved and continued with Christmas Belles.
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/southern-hospitality-3/
CATEGORIES:Theater
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221112T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221112T210000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T160434Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T160434Z
UID:10000863-1668279600-1668286800@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:Southern Hospitality
DESCRIPTION:The saga continues! The Matthews Opera House is excited to present “Southern Hospitality\,” the final installment in the Futrelle sisters trilogy. The fun begins on Friday\, November 11 at 7 pm and continues November 12\, 18 and 19 at 7 pm with matinee performances on Sunday November 13 and 20 at 2 pm. \nAdvance tickets: $17 Adults | $10 BHSU & Youth\nDay of Show: $20 Adults | $12 BHSU & Youth \nThe Story…\nIn this rapid-fire\, hilarious romp\, the Futrelle Sisters—Frankie\, Twink\, Honey Raye and Rhonda Lynn—are in trouble again. This time\, their beloved hometown\, Fayro\, Texas\, is in danger of disappearing and it’s up to the sisters to save it from extinction. But their plans to do so quickly go haywire. Honey Raye\, with a major assist from her former nemesis\, Geneva Musgrave\, comes up with a solution to bring back businesses and residents. It seems a salsa manufacturing factory is looking to relocate and a company representative is headed to Fayro on a scouting mission. Honey Raye makes promises that are not to be believed in order to woo the rep to choose Fayro. In fact\, Honey Raye has told them that on the very weekend of the rep’s visit just four days away\, the town happens to be having their biggest celebration of the year: “Fayro Days\,” which includes a craft show\, a pet costume parade\, a beauty pageant and a huge battle reenactment. Problem? That’s news to the citizens of Fayro who have to quickly band together to make her promises a reality. Added to this is the dilemma of Twink being so desperate to get married that she’s dragging the unwilling groom\, Deputy John Curtis Buntner\, to the altar. Frankie\, however\, seems to have it worst of all\, what with her husband\, Dub\, going through a major mid-life crisis at the same time her five-year-old twins are literally tearing up the town. And unfortunately for all of them\, the “meanest woman in twelve counties\,” Dub’s wicked\, old Aunt Iney\, is on her way for a visit. Iney’s arrival in Fayro is definitely cause for alarm for the sisters; but it’s nothing compared to Rhonda Lynn’s panic when she causes the old girl to drop dead in the Dubberly home just before the salsa rep shows up. But how the Futrelle sisters and the other citizens of Fayro\, including sweet\, simple\, Raynerd Chisum\, pull together and save their town is a testament to Southern strength and ingenuity—and a recipe for total hilarity. A laugh-out-loud farce and a stand-alone play in its own right\, SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY is the third play in the trilogy that began with Dearly Beloved and continued with Christmas Belles.
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/southern-hospitality-2/
CATEGORIES:Theater
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Southern-Hospitality-header-wFbNG9.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221111T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221111T210000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T160237Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T160237Z
UID:10000862-1668193200-1668200400@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:Southern Hospitality
DESCRIPTION:The saga continues! The Matthews Opera House is excited to present “Southern Hospitality\,” the final installment in the Futrelle sisters trilogy. The fun begins on Friday\, November 11 at 7 pm and continues November 12\, 18 and 19 at 7 pm with matinee performances on Sunday November 13 and 20 at 2 pm. \nAdvance tickets: $17 Adults | $10 BHSU & Youth\nDay of Show: $20 Adults | $12 BHSU & Youth \nThe Story…\nIn this rapid-fire\, hilarious romp\, the Futrelle Sisters—Frankie\, Twink\, Honey Raye and Rhonda Lynn—are in trouble again. This time\, their beloved hometown\, Fayro\, Texas\, is in danger of disappearing and it’s up to the sisters to save it from extinction. But their plans to do so quickly go haywire. Honey Raye\, with a major assist from her former nemesis\, Geneva Musgrave\, comes up with a solution to bring back businesses and residents. It seems a salsa manufacturing factory is looking to relocate and a company representative is headed to Fayro on a scouting mission. Honey Raye makes promises that are not to be believed in order to woo the rep to choose Fayro. In fact\, Honey Raye has told them that on the very weekend of the rep’s visit just four days away\, the town happens to be having their biggest celebration of the year: “Fayro Days\,” which includes a craft show\, a pet costume parade\, a beauty pageant and a huge battle reenactment. Problem? That’s news to the citizens of Fayro who have to quickly band together to make her promises a reality. Added to this is the dilemma of Twink being so desperate to get married that she’s dragging the unwilling groom\, Deputy John Curtis Buntner\, to the altar. Frankie\, however\, seems to have it worst of all\, what with her husband\, Dub\, going through a major mid-life crisis at the same time her five-year-old twins are literally tearing up the town. And unfortunately for all of them\, the “meanest woman in twelve counties\,” Dub’s wicked\, old Aunt Iney\, is on her way for a visit. Iney’s arrival in Fayro is definitely cause for alarm for the sisters; but it’s nothing compared to Rhonda Lynn’s panic when she causes the old girl to drop dead in the Dubberly home just before the salsa rep shows up. But how the Futrelle sisters and the other citizens of Fayro\, including sweet\, simple\, Raynerd Chisum\, pull together and save their town is a testament to Southern strength and ingenuity—and a recipe for total hilarity. A laugh-out-loud farce and a stand-alone play in its own right\, SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY is the third play in the trilogy that began with Dearly Beloved and continued with Christmas Belles.
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/southern-hospitality/
CATEGORIES:Theater
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Southern-Hospitality-header-wFbNG9.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221108T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221108T133000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T160214Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T160214Z
UID:10000855-1667910600-1667914200@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:Author Talks at the Matthews
DESCRIPTION:Author Talks at the Matthews returns this fall with a new lineup of local writers ready to dive into their stories\, their methods\, and their inspirations. Join us in the fireplace room every Tuesday at 12:30 for an hour with some of the best authors in the Black Hills area! \nAre you interested in presenting an Author Talk? Contact us at 605-717-6967 or engage@matthewsopera.com \nFeatured author…\nNovember 8: Doug Hoff \nDouglas Henry Hoff was born in 1948 and graduated as valedictorian of his high school class in 1966. He attended and was an honor student at Black Hills State University and the SD School of Mines and Technology. He and Marlene (Molly) were married in 1968 while attending SDSMT. When his parents considered the sale of the family farm Doug and Molly decided to give ranching a try and later bought the farm\, which they eventually tripled in size. While there they started a herd of world-renowned registered Angus cattle\, a cattle genetics and research company that they later sold to Cargill\, and had two children\, Brian and Andrea. \nWhile ranching Doug received The National Ralston Purina Youth of the Year award\, The SD Young Farmer of the Year award\, The North American Beef Improvement Federation Seedstock Producer of the Year award\, and The 2000 US Livestock Man of the Year award. He graduated from the SD Agriculture and Rural Development program. He and Molly enjoyed and lived a robust ranching career\, selling semen\, embryos\, and cattle around the globe\, with cattle from their cowherd dispersal going to five continents. Doug brought his expertise and in-depth agricultural experience to this book\, helping to produce a unique perspective of the demands of agriculture and living on the prairie. \nComing Soon…\nNovember 15: Courtney Huse-Wika & BHSU Writing Class \nCourtney Huse-Wika believes in the art of collection: overheard quotes\, forgotten stories\, and sometimes animals. She is the author of Perch\, a chapbook of nature poetry from Anchor and Plume Press\, and was named a finalist for the 2021 James Hearst Poetry Prize from North American Review\, and a 2020 Honorable Mention for the New Millennium Writing Awards.  Her creative work has appeared widely\, including CALYX\, The Halcyone\, New Ohio Review\, South Dakota Review\, Kindred\, South Dakota Magazine\, South Dakota in Poems\,  Midwestern Gothic\, Scissors and Spackle\, Backwards City Review\, and the MacGuffin.  She received her BA in philosophy and English from Augustana University\, her MA and PhD in English with a specialization in creative writing from the University of South Dakota\, and is currently an Associate Professor of English and Distinguished Faculty at Black Hills State University. \nNovember 29: Michael Harris \nMichael Harris lives in the Black Hills near Deadwood South Dakota. He is a husband and a father. His first novel “Outlaw Blood” is a Post Apocalyptic Western\, set sometime in the near future after a global economic crash has devastated the world’s countries. \nMichael enjoys shooting\, hiking\, reading\, writing\, and hunting. He has ranched and worked cattle\, served in the U.S. Army for eight years\, been a Law Enforcement Officer\, survived 17 years as Mr. Mom\, and is now an author. \nDecember 6: Troy Dobyns \nAt two weeks old\, Troy started traveling with his family due to his father’s Naval career. He and his family lived in many places but always came home to the Black Hills for vacations. When their father retired\, they knew this would be their permanent home. \nIn the spring of 1972\, the family moved to Rapid City just in time to live through the Rapid City flood. Troy’s story is intertwined with several others from the maternal side of his family who also fought the waters of that horrible night in June 1972. These stories are revealed through several accounts of the family but mostly through the eyes of the then-eight-year-old author. The story covers the day of the flood\, the night of the flood\, survivorship\, the aftermath\, and the recovery. \nDecember 13: Robyn VanDersys \nRobyn VanDerSys was born in Washington State\, which is where her love for the great outdoors was born.  She has lived in several different states and in 2015 settled in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband and kids. \nHer life has consisted of one adventure to the next\, including racing monster trucks in her early twenties\,  raising three strong children\, riding around Mexico on her four wheeler while living out of a backpack\, and volunteering on a chase team while her husband raced the Baja 1000. \nShe spends her free time off-roading and hiking the many trails of the Black Hills\, and also enjoys traveling and having as many adventures as humanly possible.
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/author-talks-at-the-matthews-10/
CATEGORIES:makeSPACE
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Author-Talks-Header-iJTGoT.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221101T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221101T133000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T160213Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T160213Z
UID:10000854-1667305800-1667309400@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:Author Talks at the Matthews
DESCRIPTION:Author Talks at the Matthews returns this fall with a new lineup of local writers ready to dive into their stories\, their methods\, and their inspirations. Join us in the fireplace room every Tuesday at 12:30 for an hour with some of the best authors in the Black Hills area! \nAre you interested in presenting an Author Talk? Contact us at 605-717-6967 or engage@matthewsopera.com \nFeatured author…\nNovember 1: Bill Bosch \nBill Bosch grew up east of Linton\, ND in an area populated mainly by German-Russians. His grandparents all grew up in what is now Ukraine and Crimea. And so did their parents and so on. But when they emigrated to the Dakotas in the late 1880s they came not as Russians or Ukrainians but as ethnic Germans. Bill has written three books about his heritage. The first\, published in 2014\, is titled The German Russians in Words and Pictures. Next came Russian Agriculture in the 1880s. Then last year he published a historical novel with the title The Land Seekers. He will briefly discuss the first two and then discuss\, with the audience\, some of the mistakes he made in writing his novel. Perhaps that can help others avoid the same mistakes while inspiring them to publish their own novel. \nComing Soon…\nNovember 8: Doug Hoff \nDouglas Henry Hoff was born in 1948 and graduated as valedictorian of his high school class in 1966. He attended and was an honor student at Black Hills State University and the SD School of Mines and Technology. He and Marlene (Molly) were married in 1968 while attending SDSMT. When his parents considered the sale of the family farm Doug and Molly decided to give ranching a try and later bought the farm\, which they eventually tripled in size. While there they started a herd of world-renowned registered Angus cattle\, a cattle genetics and research company that they later sold to Cargill\, and had two children\, Brian and Andrea. \nWhile ranching Doug received The National Ralston Purina Youth of the Year award\, The SD Young Farmer of the Year award\, The North American Beef Improvement Federation Seedstock Producer of the Year award\, and The 2000 US Livestock Man of the Year award. He graduated from the SD Agriculture and Rural Development program. He and Molly enjoyed and lived a robust ranching career\, selling semen\, embryos\, and cattle around the globe\, with cattle from their cowherd dispersal going to five continents. Doug brought his expertise and in-depth agricultural experience to this book\, helping to produce a unique perspective of the demands of agriculture and living on the prairie. \nNovember 15: Courtney Huse-Wika & BHSU Writing Class \nCourtney Huse-Wika believes in the art of collection: overheard quotes\, forgotten stories\, and sometimes animals. She is the author of Perch\, a chapbook of nature poetry from Anchor and Plume Press\, and was named a finalist for the 2021 James Hearst Poetry Prize from North American Review\, and a 2020 Honorable Mention for the New Millennium Writing Awards.  Her creative work has appeared widely\, including CALYX\, The Halcyone\, New Ohio Review\, South Dakota Review\, Kindred\, South Dakota Magazine\, South Dakota in Poems\,  Midwestern Gothic\, Scissors and Spackle\, Backwards City Review\, and the MacGuffin.  She received her BA in philosophy and English from Augustana University\, her MA and PhD in English with a specialization in creative writing from the University of South Dakota\, and is currently an Associate Professor of English and Distinguished Faculty at Black Hills State University. \nNovember 29: Michael Harris \nMichael Harris lives in the Black Hills near Deadwood South Dakota. He is a husband and a father. His first novel “Outlaw Blood” is a Post Apocalyptic Western\, set sometime in the near future after a global economic crash has devastated the world’s countries. \nMichael enjoys shooting\, hiking\, reading\, writing\, and hunting. He has ranched and worked cattle\, served in the U.S. Army for eight years\, been a Law Enforcement Officer\, survived 17 years as Mr. Mom\, and is now an author. \nDecember 6: Troy Dobyns \nAt two weeks old\, Troy started traveling with his family due to his father’s Naval career. He and his family lived in many places but always came home to the Black Hills for vacations. When their father retired\, they knew this would be their permanent home. \nIn the spring of 1972\, the family moved to Rapid City just in time to live through the Rapid City flood. Troy’s story is intertwined with several others from the maternal side of his family who also fought the waters of that horrible night in June 1972. These stories are revealed through several accounts of the family but mostly through the eyes of the then-eight-year-old author. The story covers the day of the flood\, the night of the flood\, survivorship\, the aftermath\, and the recovery. \nDecember 13: Robyn VanDersys \nRobyn VanDerSys was born in Washington State\, which is where her love for the great outdoors was born.  She has lived in several different states and in 2015 settled in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband and kids. \nHer life has consisted of one adventure to the next\, including racing monster trucks in her early twenties\,  raising three strong children\, riding around Mexico on her four wheeler while living out of a backpack\, and volunteering on a chase team while her husband raced the Baja 1000. \nShe spends her free time off-roading and hiking the many trails of the Black Hills\, and also enjoys traveling and having as many adventures as humanly possible.
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/author-talks-at-the-matthews-9/
CATEGORIES:makeSPACE
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221031T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221031T203000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T170603Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T170603Z
UID:10000877-1667239200-1667248200@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:Unmasked Artists' Workshop
DESCRIPTION:This fun workshop for adults will feature drawing from live\, costumed models in a classic gallery atmosphere! Models from BHSU Art Club will sport their Halloween best\, creating a variety of dramatic vignettes and challenging you to capture the spirit of their spooky poses. This event will take place in the Matthews Gallery. \nBHSU Art Professor Desy Schoenewies will provide drawing demos and give away prizes at the end of the evening. Limited drawing materials will be available for use–participants are encouraged to bring their own art supplies. No experience is necessary to participate in this event. Artists of all abilities–from curious beginners to students and professionals–are encouraged to participate. \nThis event will feature music and adult beverages for sale. Costumes are optional but encouraged for all participants. At the end of the evening\, we’ll have a costume contest! \nThis event is free. A free-will donation is suggested but not required. All donations received help to support free programming at the Matthews\, which includes this and other artist workshops.
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/unmasked-artists-workshop/
CATEGORIES:Special Events
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221028T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221028T213000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T160637Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T160637Z
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SUMMARY:Live Music with Philip Daniel
DESCRIPTION:Join us at the Matthews Opera House & Arts Center on Friday\, October 28 at 7:30 pm at the Matthews Opera House & Arts Center for an evening of live music with pianist and composer Philip Daniel! \n\n“Philip Daniel’s deeply-moving classical compositions are elegant in their simplicity yet complex in their sublime depth of emotion. Daniel has an uncanny knack for finding the perfect moment to introduce strings and subtle synths to his hauntingly beautiful piano pieces. They are startling moments within sprawling cinematic movements\, which powerfully pull on the heartstrings and can bring a tear to the eye.” \n~ musicvine \n \n\n\n  \nAbout Philip Daniel\nFrom Lincoln\, Nebraska\, Daniel did his graduate work at the UMKC Conservatory in Piano Performance and his undergraduate studies at Hastings College\, where he earned a Bachelor’s in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy. \nDuring his undergraduate years\, Philip discovered a passion for creating his own music. He was heavily inspired by contemporary classical composers such as Olafur Arnalds\, NIls Frahm\, Philip Glass\, Max Richter and more by their ability to transmit powerful emotions thru simplistic\, minimalistic sound while each possessing their own unique “voice” in a non-cliche manner. He aims to follow in these musician’s footsteps by blending aspects of classical music\, minimalism\, cinematic qualities\, and more. He seeks to appeal to the seasoned\, trained musician as well as the normal\, non-musically inclined listener in a way that can impact both. \nPhilip has released 6 studio albums as follows 1. Gradient (2017) 2. This Tree is Made for Climbing (2018) 3. Between Us (2019) 4. Re: Gradient (2019) 5. BLOMMA (2020) and 6. When Softness Lifted Us (2021) as well as several EP’s. He continues to compose/record solo artistic projects yet is venturing into the film scoring and music licensing world. His music is featured by several licensing companies and has been used countless times in film. This last year has also seen him begin to custom compose soundtracks for films as well as dance collaborations. \nHis sole purpose as a composer is to create music that’s primary goal is to convey unequivocal emotion and to make people truly “feel.” Philip believes that music has a unique ability to cause change in the world through this personal connection to individual listeners and aims to be a small part in positively impacting his community thru his music. \nPhilip currently resides in Lincoln\, Nebraska with his wife and dog working in his home studio. He is set to begin performing again next fall throughout the midwest. \nWatch…\n[arve url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SNNteAr8LY&t=14s” loop=”no” muted=”no” /] \n[arve url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q9EcS9TKuo&t=15s” loop=”no” muted=”no” /] \n[arve url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjZUPty43Vw&t=7s” loop=”no” muted=”no” /]
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/live-music-with-philip-daniel/
CATEGORIES:Music
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221025T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221025T133000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T160212Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T160212Z
UID:10000853-1666701000-1666704600@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:Author Talks at the Matthews
DESCRIPTION:Author Talks at the Matthews returns this fall with a new lineup of local writers ready to dive into their stories\, their methods\, and their inspirations. Join us in the fireplace room every Tuesday at 12:30 for an hour with some of the best authors in the Black Hills area! \nAre you interested in presenting an Author Talk? Contact us at 605-717-6967 or engage@matthewsopera.com \nFeatured author…\nOctober 18 & 25: Evelyn Leite \nA two-part series \nChildren in families that keep secrets learn early in life to project a brave front\, to avoid letting the outside world peek behind the mask\, to cope alone with feelings of guilt\, anger\, fear and confusion. \nRapid City counselor and author Evelyn Leite grew up in such a family\, struggling to understand her emotions\, uncertain how she could love her parents and siblings so deeply but hate their words and actions. In her latest book “Just Fine\, Thank You\,” Leite explores the jumble of feelings and emotions she experienced in her early years in a closed family. She describes what it does to a young girl when the family doesn’t talk about a father who stays late at the local bar and a mother who expects her daughter to be a perfect young lady without explaining what that involves. She also shares what it does to a young child in a “no-talk’’ family as she tries to make sense of sometimes crazy\, senseless behavior from people she loves. \n“Just Fine\, Thank You” is one of four books in a series titled Blood\, Sex and Tears. She says of the series\, “It’s my desire that you can find hope for yourself or a loved one based on my story of redemption.’’ \nLeite has had a successful\, 35-year career as a professional counselor and author whose focus is on drug and alcohol problems and mental health issues. Among her best-known works are “Women: What Do We Want?” and “A Fix for the Family Rift Caused by Addiction.” She is a graduate of Black Hills State University with a composite major in Social Science. She holds a master’s degree from Oklahoma University and has presented addiction and mental health workshops in Oregon\, Texas\, Minneapolis\, Montana\, Colorado and Arizona. She has also held frequent workshops on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and is currently conducting workshops for the Miskwaki Tribe in Tama\, Iowa. She is the author of 14 published works including manuals for The Family Restoration Program and many newspaper and magazine articles. She’s a 2008 inductee into the South Dakota Hall of Fame. \nComing Soon…\nNovember 1: Bill Bosch \nWilliam Bosch grew up on a farm in Emmons County\, east of Linton\, North Dakota. Both sides of his family had German-Russian backgrounds. His mother’s family (Dockter) cam from Neudorf and Kassel\, and his father’s family (Bosch) from Rosental in Crimea. After graduating from Linton High School\, he attended North Dakota State University where he earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mathematics education. He taught in the mathematics department at Northern State University in Aberdeen\, South Dakota from 1963-65. He then studied at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln\, where he obtained a Ph.D. in mathematics in 1970. His working years were spent teaching mathematics at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley\, Colorado. That is where he met and married his wife Margaret. They moved to Spearfish\, SD in 2005. They have a daughter\, Julie\, who still lives in Colorado. William is a member of the Black Hills Chapter of the Germans from Russia Heritage Society and a member of the Center of the Nation Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. William is the author of The German-Russians in Words and Pictures. \nNovember 8: Doug Hoff \nDouglas Henry Hoff was born in 1948 and graduated as valedictorian of his high school class in 1966. He attended and was an honor student at Black Hills State University and the SD School of Mines and Technology. He and Marlene (Molly) were married in 1968 while attending SDSMT. When his parents considered the sale of the family farm Doug and Molly decided to give ranching a try and later bought the farm\, which they eventually tripled in size. While there they started a herd of world-renowned registered Angus cattle\, a cattle genetics and research company that they later sold to Cargill\, and had two children\, Brian and Andrea. \nWhile ranching Doug received The National Ralston Purina Youth of the Year award\, The SD Young Farmer of the Year award\, The North American Beef Improvement Federation Seedstock Producer of the Year award\, and The 2000 US Livestock Man of the Year award. He graduated from the SD Agriculture and Rural Development program. He and Molly enjoyed and lived a robust ranching career\, selling semen\, embryos\, and cattle around the globe\, with cattle from their cowherd dispersal going to five continents. Doug brought his expertise and in-depth agricultural experience to this book\, helping to produce a unique perspective of the demands of agriculture and living on the prairie. \nNovember 15: Courtney Huse-Wika & BHSU Writing Class \nCourtney Huse-Wika believes in the art of collection: overheard quotes\, forgotten stories\, and sometimes animals. She is the author of Perch\, a chapbook of nature poetry from Anchor and Plume Press\, and was named a finalist for the 2021 James Hearst Poetry Prize from North American Review\, and a 2020 Honorable Mention for the New Millennium Writing Awards.  Her creative work has appeared widely\, including CALYX\, The Halcyone\, New Ohio Review\, South Dakota Review\, Kindred\, South Dakota Magazine\, South Dakota in Poems\,  Midwestern Gothic\, Scissors and Spackle\, Backwards City Review\, and the MacGuffin.  She received her BA in philosophy and English from Augustana University\, her MA and PhD in English with a specialization in creative writing from the University of South Dakota\, and is currently an Associate Professor of English and Distinguished Faculty at Black Hills State University. \nDecember 13: Robyn VanDersys \nRobyn VanDerSys was born in Washington State\, which is where her love for the great outdoors was born.  She has lived in several different states and in 2015 settled in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband and kids. \nHer life has consisted of one adventure to the next\, including racing monster trucks in her early twenties\,  raising three strong children\, riding around Mexico on her four wheeler while living out of a backpack\, and volunteering on a chase team while her husband raced the Baja 1000. \nShe spends her free time off-roading and hiking the many trails of the Black Hills\, and also enjoys traveling and having as many adventures as humanly possible.
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/author-talks-at-the-matthews-8/
CATEGORIES:makeSPACE
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Denver:20221018T123000
DTEND;TZID=America/Denver:20221018T133000
DTSTAMP:20260615T010053
CREATED:20260611T160030Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260611T160030Z
UID:10000852-1666096200-1666099800@matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com
SUMMARY:Author Talks at the Matthews
DESCRIPTION:Author Talks at the Matthews returns this fall with a new lineup of local writers ready to dive into their stories\, their methods\, and their inspirations. Join us in the fireplace room every Tuesday at 12:30 for an hour with some of the best authors in the Black Hills area! \nAre you interested in presenting an Author Talk? Contact us at 605-717-6967 or engage@matthewsopera.com \nFeatured author…\nOctober 18 & 25: Evelyn Leite \nA two-part series \nChildren in families that keep secrets learn early in life to project a brave front\, to avoid letting the outside world peek behind the mask\, to cope alone with feelings of guilt\, anger\, fear and confusion. \nRapid City counselor and author Evelyn Leite grew up in such a family\, struggling to understand her emotions\, uncertain how she could love her parents and siblings so deeply but hate their words and actions. In her latest book “Just Fine\, Thank You\,” Leite explores the jumble of feelings and emotions she experienced in her early years in a closed family. She describes what it does to a young girl when the family doesn’t talk about a father who stays late at the local bar and a mother who expects her daughter to be a perfect young lady without explaining what that involves. She also shares what it does to a young child in a “no-talk’’ family as she tries to make sense of sometimes crazy\, senseless behavior from people she loves. \n“Just Fine\, Thank You” is one of four books in a series titled Blood\, Sex and Tears. She says of the series\, “It’s my desire that you can find hope for yourself or a loved one based on my story of redemption.’’ \nLeite has had a successful\, 35-year career as a professional counselor and author whose focus is on drug and alcohol problems and mental health issues. Among her best-known works are “Women: What Do We Want?” and “A Fix for the Family Rift Caused by Addiction.” She is a graduate of Black Hills State University with a composite major in Social Science. She holds a master’s degree from Oklahoma University and has presented addiction and mental health workshops in Oregon\, Texas\, Minneapolis\, Montana\, Colorado and Arizona. She has also held frequent workshops on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and is currently conducting workshops for the Miskwaki Tribe in Tama\, Iowa. She is the author of 14 published works including manuals for The Family Restoration Program and many newspaper and magazine articles. She’s a 2008 inductee into the South Dakota Hall of Fame. \nComing Soon…\nNovember 1: Bill Bosch \nWilliam Bosch grew up on a farm in Emmons County\, east of Linton\, North Dakota. Both sides of his family had German-Russian backgrounds. His mother’s family (Dockter) cam from Neudorf and Kassel\, and his father’s family (Bosch) from Rosental in Crimea. After graduating from Linton High School\, he attended North Dakota State University where he earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in mathematics education. He taught in the mathematics department at Northern State University in Aberdeen\, South Dakota from 1963-65. He then studied at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln\, where he obtained a Ph.D. in mathematics in 1970. His working years were spent teaching mathematics at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley\, Colorado. That is where he met and married his wife Margaret. They moved to Spearfish\, SD in 2005. They have a daughter\, Julie\, who still lives in Colorado. William is a member of the Black Hills Chapter of the Germans from Russia Heritage Society and a member of the Center of the Nation Chapter of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. William is the author of The German-Russians in Words and Pictures. \nNovember 8: Doug Hoff \nDouglas Henry Hoff was born in 1948 and graduated as valedictorian of his high school class in 1966. He attended and was an honor student at Black Hills State University and the SD School of Mines and Technology. He and Marlene (Molly) were married in 1968 while attending SDSMT. When his parents considered the sale of the family farm Doug and Molly decided to give ranching a try and later bought the farm\, which they eventually tripled in size. While there they started a herd of world-renowned registered Angus cattle\, a cattle genetics and research company that they later sold to Cargill\, and had two children\, Brian and Andrea. \nWhile ranching Doug received The National Ralston Purina Youth of the Year award\, The SD Young Farmer of the Year award\, The North American Beef Improvement Federation Seedstock Producer of the Year award\, and The 2000 US Livestock Man of the Year award. He graduated from the SD Agriculture and Rural Development program. He and Molly enjoyed and lived a robust ranching career\, selling semen\, embryos\, and cattle around the globe\, with cattle from their cowherd dispersal going to five continents. Doug brought his expertise and in-depth agricultural experience to this book\, helping to produce a unique perspective of the demands of agriculture and living on the prairie. \nNovember 15: Courtney Huse-Wika & BHSU Writing Class \nCourtney Huse-Wika believes in the art of collection: overheard quotes\, forgotten stories\, and sometimes animals. She is the author of Perch\, a chapbook of nature poetry from Anchor and Plume Press\, and was named a finalist for the 2021 James Hearst Poetry Prize from North American Review\, and a 2020 Honorable Mention for the New Millennium Writing Awards.  Her creative work has appeared widely\, including CALYX\, The Halcyone\, New Ohio Review\, South Dakota Review\, Kindred\, South Dakota Magazine\, South Dakota in Poems\,  Midwestern Gothic\, Scissors and Spackle\, Backwards City Review\, and the MacGuffin.  She received her BA in philosophy and English from Augustana University\, her MA and PhD in English with a specialization in creative writing from the University of South Dakota\, and is currently an Associate Professor of English and Distinguished Faculty at Black Hills State University. \nDecember 13: Robyn VanDersys \nRobyn VanDerSys was born in Washington State\, which is where her love for the great outdoors was born.  She has lived in several different states and in 2015 settled in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband and kids. \nHer life has consisted of one adventure to the next\, including racing monster trucks in her early twenties\,  raising three strong children\, riding around Mexico on her four wheeler while living out of a backpack\, and volunteering on a chase team while her husband raced the Baja 1000. \nShe spends her free time off-roading and hiking the many trails of the Black Hills\, and also enjoys traveling and having as many adventures as humanly possible.
URL:https://matthewsopera2026.tdgwebhost.com/event/author-talks-at-the-matthews-7/
CATEGORIES:makeSPACE
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END:VEVENT
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