Davida Sklar elected to the Spruce Peak Arts Center Foundation Board of Directors

Tom Cronin, Chair of the Spruce Peak Arts Center Foundation, is pleased to announce the appointment of Elaine Davida Sklar to the Foundation’s Board of Directors. This announcement was made at the Foundation’s Annual Meeting on January 27, 2018. A long-time resident of Stowe, Elaine brings a wealth of experience to the Board. She is a founder of The Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, The Children’s Theatre Workshop, and the Producer/Director for The Greenwich Repertory Theatre. She is the creator, lyricist and co-composer of the musical, Bully No More! published internationally by Tams-Witmark Music Library, and the playwright of the musical, Delilah Sky. Elaine authored the novel, Grand Concourse Karma, co-authored, and co-illustrated Pick A Perfect Party – a 12 book series, and wrote the bi-lingual children’s book, Grandma Rose. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech and Communications from The University of Michigan and a Master’s in Education from Manhattanville College. In addition to the performing arts, Elaine enjoys ice hockey, swimming, golf, skiing, and kayaking.

As an initial board project, Elaine is lending her experience, expertise and passion to audience development of the upcoming Qyrq Qyz residency and performance on Saturday, March 10. Qyrq Qyz shares the epic story of Central Asian Amazon women warriors. This powerful matriarchal narrative comes to life in an avant-garde multimedia concert. During the concert young virtuosic female bards from Central Asia sing, recite, and play traditional instruments to share an ancient oral epic of female courage and empowerment. Tickets and information about the Qyrq Qyz concert can be found at SprucePeakArts.org.

In addition to the Qyrq Qyz project in March, the Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center has a diverse calendar of events to inspire, educate and entertain residents and visitors to our region, including:

Martin Sexton – Saturday, February 17, 7:30 pm Acclaimed singer-songwriter whose soulful blend of blues, rock and roll and folk defies easy categorization. Sexton has been hailed by John Mayer as “The best live performer I’ve ever seen!” The concert will open with Rebecca Haviland and Whiskey Heart.

Music of Vermont Composers - APEX Ensemble – Saturday, February 24, 7 pm Blending the genres of jazz, big band, rock and world music, the 10-piece APEX Ensemble will take a musical journey showcasing some of Vermont’s most exciting contemporary music by VT working composers. KIDS FREE – one free kids ticket offered with the purchase of an adult ticket.

Patti Casey & the Wicked Fine Players – Saturday, March 3, 7:30 pm The perfect end to winter to lift-your-spirits -- a reunion of Vermont’s own Patti Casey & the Wicked Fine Players. The evening includes new and old favorites with a little more blue in the bluegrass, a little more swing, and a whole lot of fun.

St Patrick’s Day with Pete’s Posse – Saturday, March 17, 7:30 pm Vermont’s traditionalist Celtic trio (Pete Sutherland, Oliver Scanlon and Tristan Henderson) take you on a musical journey along the Celtic roots that run from the British Isles to North America, through the Posse’s own original songs and tunes to traditional Irish ballads and beyond!

TRIP Dance Company Annual Fundraiser – Friday, March 23 and Saturday, March 24 at 7pm Thirty five talented local dancers take the stage to perform their award-winning repertoire in an annual fundraising performance.

TedXStowe - Thursday, April 5, 6:30pm TEDxStowe is a window into Vermont today and a rare opportunity to celebrate and connect with our Vermont community through big ideas. Some of the state’s most unique thinkers and inspiring storytellers will take to the stage to provoke conversations that matter.

Dweezil Zappa: World Tour 2018 “Choice Cuts” - Saturday, April 14, 7:30 pm Guitarist Dweezil Zappa, son of composer and performer Frank Zappa, leads a group of top musicians including original performers from Frank’s band, in this concert experience that celebrates the music of Frank and his contemporaries, in all of their artistic subtleties.

Resurrection – Green Mountain Mahler Festival Orchestra – Sunday, April 22, 3 pm A powerful, unforgettable concert featuring vocal soloists and the combined forces of the Green Mountain Mahler Festival, the Burlington Civic Symphony Orchestra, the Champlain Philharmonic Orchestra, and the South Burlington Community Chorus to present Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No 2.

An Evening with Bruce Cockburn – Sunday, April 29, 7:30 pm Bruce Cockburn has enjoyed an illustrious career shaped by politics, spirituality, and musical diversity. His remarkable journey has seen him embrace folk, jazz, rock, and worldbeat styles. Don’t miss one of Canada’s finest artists performing in Stowe.

The Great Gatsby by the National Players – Tuesday, May 8, 7 pm A fast-paced adaptation of Fitzgerald’s novel brings the Jazz Age of New York to life. Daisy’s cousin Nick guides us through a world where love, opportunity, deception, and tragedy are always just around the corner. Talkback with the company follows the performance. KIDS FREE – one free kids ticket offered with the purchase of an adult ticket, offer expires on 4/24/18.

Photos available upon request. About The Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center The Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arts organization dedicated and committed to entertaining, educating, and engaging our diverse communities of Stowe and beyond. The 420-seat multi-use theatre, which opened in December 2010, offers world-renowned entertainment as well as emerging artists and performers from around the region, state, nation and world.

Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center 122 Hourglass Drive Stowe, Vermont TICKETS: call 802-760-4634 or visit www.SprucePeakArts.org