The Memorial Opera House renovation has been undergoing an amazing transformation with the first production opening up next week. Using $5 million in Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money for the renovations, the first phase of the project included repairing the roof, tuckpointing brickwork and fixing the weathered joints in the old masonry to shore up the exterior structure. The Opera House has already had some minor renovations two times (2016), and has fairly new seats (2020) and several interior remodeling updates.
The interior work, included overhaling the lobby, bar and seating. They replaced wall covers and restroom fixtures, and replaced some of the seating. Currently, the seats had worn down cushions and the stained fabric, which needed replaced. The new seats are more comfortable and will have higher backs. This is the first time there have been new seats since 1961!
The Opera house has served as a venue for plays, musicals and concerts, including classical music like the Annual Memorial Day concert and tribute acts, such as American English Echoes of Pompeii, and Elton Jeff and the Honky Cats.
The Memorial Opera House renovation and the new Market 102 which has already opened in the Porter County Jail and Sheriff’s Residence should help enhance downtown.
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Here’s a little overview from Evan Costas:
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Downtown Valparaiso Galentine’s Shop Around
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Memorial Opera House – Celebrates 125 Years
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Aftermath Cidery & Winery ; Bao’s Pastry ; Be Good Juicerie ; Designer Desserts-Valparaiso;
Don Quijote Imports; E&A Jewelers ; Ella Jayms ; FLUID Coffee Roasters – Downtown Valparaiso ; FLUID Coffee Roasters – Valpo South;
Hungry Hound Boutique & Grooming ; Indie Indie Bang Bang ; Journeyman Distillery; Lifestyles ; Market 102 ; Merit Pilates;
Birdie’s ; Old World Market ; Peddlers Pizza Pub ; Pickles Kids; Pikk’s Tavern ; RADIUS-Valpo; Rocket Fizz Valparaiso, Indiana ; Scented Science
Silcott Shoes ; Six Cypress Boutique; The Spice & Tea Exchange; The Press; Toys in the Attic – Valpo Valpo Vintage;
vALPARAISO, INDIANA; ValpoEvents; Valparaiso Events; Things to do in Valparaiso; Downtown Valparaiso; Valparaiso Restaurants; Valparaiso Boutiques
Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
