The Don Stiernberg Trio

Internationally renowned master of the jazz mandolin, Don Stiernberg, was our first featured artist in our  "Live at Studio5" jazz series on November 11th. Joining Don were Andy Brown (guitar) and Mark Sonksen (bass). Not only did the fellows play a great show, it was wonderful to see some of our old Whiskey Lounge friends in the audience, as well as some friends of both Don's and mine from years past. We are so grateful for our audiences.

With each performance at Studio5 we get a little closer to feeling that the place is "completed". This show marks the first since we received our liquor license, so it was nice to be able to offer beverages to our patrons! – SR

GRAND OPENING – Day 3! Jim Gill!

We wrapped up our three-day Grand Opening weekend with a spectacular family concert by Jim Gill. Kids and adults alike danced and played with Jim and his band (featuring Jim Cox and Steve Rashid), and we even managed to turn Jim Cox's bass into a giant Jim Gill doll. What fun! This show was a perfect ending to a most memorable weekend. Thanks to all of you who took part in it!

GRAND OPENING – Day Two! Fat Babies!

Oh my. These guys can play! Another capacity crowd greeted us for the Saturday night show of our Grand Opening Weekend, with music by the incredible Fat Babies, and dancing by ... anyone who couldn't sit still. (Photos by Chuck Osgood – many thanks, Chuck!)

GRAND OPENING! Cut the Ribbon and Dance!

We made it! Our Grand Opening weekend was everything we hoped: A joyous celebration of dance and music shared with hundreds of friends, new and old, in our beautiful new home. I'll let the pictures do the talking. Take a look! (photos by Matt Glavin – many thanks, Matt!).

First we cut the ribbon, remember? Thanks to Mayor Tisdahl for bringing her massive industrial-grade scissors. (L-R Liz Kidera, Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl, Béa Rashid, Steve Rashid, Elaine Kemna-Irish

Enid Smith

Steph Paul (times 8!)

Megan Biolsi

Béa Rashid

Billy Siegenfeld

Elements Contemporary Ballet

Kari Christopher and Glenn Leslie.

Casey Calhoun & Christina Ernst

Patti Vickerman and Julie Cartier

Inaugural performance in Studio5! Paul Marinaro Quintet

On July 21, 2016 we presented our first performance in Studio5 with the newly installed seating. The incredible Paul Marinaro Quintet played a beautiful show to a house filled nearly to capacity, and in addition to testing out the comfortable seating, the performance gave us a great opportunity to try out the sound, lighting, recording and streaming capabilities of the space. It looked and sounded fabulous! We were thrilled at the results, and the audience seemed very happily at home. It was a great way to "kick the tires" on Studio5 and was a wonderful learning experience for all of us behind the scenes. We are so looking forward to our Grand Opening!

And our first performance in Studio5 is just days away

This is from the EDE tech rehearsal on 12/5/15 for Turning Point: The Young Choreographers Project. Our first performance in Studio5! We're doing the installation in stages, so this is still temporary lighting, seating and sound equipment, but we're figuring it out, and it's becoming gorgeous. Looking like the real deal!

The goal ...

Here is a rendering by our architect, Liz Kidera, of the finished theater ... each day is a step closer!

A finished room!

Looks different, huh?

the journey begins ...

Welcome to the beginning. So far we are equipped mostly with a dream. We have a signed lease, some architectural drawings, and a deadline. Follow this blog to track our progress.

Oh, and we have a website. Looks cool, huh? Lots more to come with that, too.

Leonard Bernstein famously said, "What you really need is a good idea and not quite enough time." We believe we have arrived at that point.  Let's go.

– Bea and Steve Rashid