Fandangle cast gears up for annual Sampler
The 2019 Fort Griffin Fandangle Membership Sampler will be presented at the site of the historic Town of Fort Griffin next Saturday, April 20 at 6:00 p.m. and although the first wave of invitations to the Sampler were mailed out to members this week, there is still time for everyone to pay association dues and attend the event.
“I want to encourage people to send in their Fandangle memberships soon so they can take part in our annual Sampler,” said artistic director Lorna Ayers. “Excitement is building among the cast for this year’s special show. We hope that all of our members can come and see the preview of this year’s summer show, and then stay for dinner and dancing with a live band.”
Members of the band include John Caldwell, John Powell, Jim Sadler, Adam Flores, and Rode Owen.
“They will play all of your classic and Western swing favorites you can dance along to,” said marketing director Rebecca Bridges.
The Sampler, dinner, and dance will all take place at Lynne and Cliff Teinert’s Collins Creek Ranch located 15 miles north of Albany just off of US Highway 283 on Saturday, April 20.
Bridges added that RSVPs to the Sampler invitations can be sent to Lyn Baker at the Fandangle office, 325-762-3838, and at tickets@fandangle.org.
Fandangle Office
Baker joined the Fandangle staff as the office manager just a couple of weeks ago, and she is now in the office at the Depot on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. until around 4:00 p.m., depending on the work load.
“I’ve already been signing up a lot of memberships,” said Baker, who is a 20-plus year Fandangle cast veteran and recently retired from working at First Financial Bank. “We will probably increase the hours the office is open as it gets closer to the start of the summer shows.”
Barbecue Dinner
Members are welcome to bring a picnic dinner to eat after the Sampler, or for $15 they can sign up to enjoy a brisket dinner.
Several of the cast members are cooking the meat and former Fandangle director Treca Edington is fixing the sides.
“It’s going to be a great show and a fun party!” Bridges said.
Rehearsal Schedule
Costumes were handed out at the Boxcar on Monday evening shortly before practice.
The next rehearsal is set for tonight, (Thursday) at 7:30 p.m. in the lot next to the Bank Park.
“We will move out to Griffin Flat next week,” said Ayers. “Rehearsals will be on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Once we move out to ‘The Flat’ next week, we will be starting practices at 7:00 p.m.”
Summer Shows
This year, four performances are scheduled at the Prairie Theater just outside of Albany on June 21, 22, 28, and 29. The shows start at 8:30 p.m. each night.
The Fandangle Parade will march through downtown Albany at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 22.
Memberships
Memberships are available in a variety of levels, starting with a $25 Pioneer level for those aged 65 and over, or the $75 Longhorn level for those under 65.
Members at all levels receive an invitation to the Fandangle Membership Sampler, can buy tickets to the summer shows before sales open up to the general public on April 20, receive a priority parking pass, and will be granted admission to a Members’ Hospitality Tent.
Memberships at higher levels receive additional benefits.
Patron ($150) and Bronze ($250) packages also include two tickets to the summer show.
Silver ($500), and higher level members are provided seat cushions and meal vouchers, while the Gold level ($1,000) adds concession vouchers as well.
Platinum ($2,500) and Diamond ($5,000) members can arrange for a guided tour of Fort Griffin State Historic Site, enjoy a VIP hospitality tent, and are also invited to join a cast member for a photo opportunity and a meet-and-greet on stage after the show.
“The Fort Griffin Fandangle is a 501c3 organization, and your donation is tax deductible,” said Bridges. “Your generous support at any level is appreciated.”
Membership dues can be paid online at fortgriffin fandangle.org, by sending an email request to Bridges at info@fandangle.org, or by calling Baker at the Fandangle office at 325-762-3838.
