LEAD, SD – As entertainment line-ups go, it’s a big one at the Historic Homestake Opera House in Lead. Built in 1914, the Homestake Opera House was constructed as a gift to the community through the patronage of Phoebe Apperson Hearst, widow of George Hearst of the Homestake Gold Mining Company, and who championed the arts and culture in the gold mining town.
From partying like it’s 1914 to solid country gold, the Opera House has announced its full season that runs through next spring, says executive director, Thomas Golden.
“We start out our season Sat., Sept. 11 with stand-up comedy and the “Scared Scriptless Improv Show” produced by Seraphim Theatrical Entertainment,” says Golden. “It’s a really great show with a cast who will make you laugh until you cry with their witty one-liners, accidental plot twists, and genuine surprise when they use lines from the audience.”
That’s followed by “Piano Ponderings with Kathryn Farruggia: The Romantic Piano” on the Homestake Opera stage Sun., Sept. 26 at 2pm. This program features works from the great romantic piano composers: Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Chopin, Schumann, Spanish composer Lecuono, and others. Kathryn, in her lively and humor-filled fashion, will talk about the lives of the composers and this historical period of the greatest music ever written for the piano.
What Golden calls the anchor show of the season, “The Black Hills Opry,” comes to the stage Sat., Oct. 2, featuring well-known local talent, among them “The Lonesome Duvs,” and Dion Pride, the son of Charley Pride, who sold millions of records and was the first Black performer to become a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Longtime friends and admirers of one another, the Duvs are four incredibly talented ladies who collaborate for a dynamic classic country sound sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. Individually each have award winning musical careers boasting stage performances with top names. The singer/songwriting multi-instrumental musicians include Pegie Douglas on standup bass, Sherry Ann Taylor on guitar, Kimberly Kaye on guitar, banjo, mandolin, and Katie Lautenschlager on fiddle.
“Last year, we did a very small concert that included these some of these same performers,” recalls Golden. “It was a very low-key, small performance but it was phenomenal and engaging. For me, bringing The Black Hills Opry back was a no-brainer. They put on a great show and do it in a way that you feel like you’ve just spent an evening with friends. I don’t think you have to be a country music fan to enjoy it. These are top-rate performers.”
Following his Dad’s passing this year, Dion shared his growing up years in an interview with WKRN Radio in Tennesee. “It always has been a rush to watch my dad perform. I looked up there and said wow…that’s my dad.” He continued, ““A lot of the times we were together, it was always a learning session in some way, shape, or form. That’s one of the most valuable aspects I am missing right now.”
At just five-years-old, Dion decided to follow in Pride’s musical footsteps. Dion had the opportunity to tour the world with his father, an experience he said cannot be matched. “He was such a great father and a really great man. I always tell people that I never had to go past my front door for a role-model.” Dion will be performing a special tribute show to his Dad.
Getting into the spirit of Christmas won’t be a problem for Homestake Opera House fans with the Medora Christmas Musical, Sun., Dec. 5. This show, created by Bill Sorensen, features past and present performers of Medora in a program filled with wonderful music, comedy, and the wonderful themes of Christmas.
“It’s their annual Christmas musical that includes veteran performers from the Medora Musical. We feel very fortunate to have them coming here to Lead and we’re excited to welcome them.”
The Homestake Opera House has an abundance of shows this season with a lot of variety. Tickets for all shows are available on line. To purchase tickets visit the Historic Homestake Opera House on line at http://www.homestakeoperahouse.org
“For anyone who has never been to the Homestake Opera House, it’s on a scale you wouldn’t imagine,” says Golden. “People are usually surprised when they walk into our building and see the massive scale and scope of what we have here and what we’re working with.”
Listen to the complete interview ON DEMAND
