Fandangle letters to be mailed
Membership letters for the Fort Griffin Fandangle Association will be mailed out tomorrow, March 1, according to marketing director Rebecca Bridges.
The mailing of the traditional white envelopes with the green Fandangle label is considered the official start of the annual membership drive for the Fort Griffin Fandangle.
“The levels will stay the same as last year, but we’ve added a lot of benefits for members, businesses, and sponsorships,” said Bridges. “We have created some new sponsorship opportunities. And the sampler will be really fun!”
Membership Levels
Memberships are available in a variety of levels, starting with the Pioneer level, for those aged 65 and over, for $25 per year.
Longhorn is the next level and will cost $75 this year.
The Patron level is $150.
Bronze, Silver, and Gold levels are $250, $500, and $1,000 respectively.
For those who can contribute a little more to the 501(c)(3) organization, the Platinum level is $2,500 and Diamond is $5,000.
“For eight decades, the Fort Griffin Fandangle has been our cherished heritage,” said Bridges. “The future of our beloved Fandangle depends solely upon your continued financial support. We invite you to be a part of the 2019 Fandangle by purchasing or renewing your membership and taking advantage of the new value.”
Membership Benefits
Members at all levels receive an invitation to the Fandangle Membership Sampler, scheduled for the evening of Saturday, April 20, at Lynne and Clifford Teinert’s Collins Creek Ranch.
Members also have the opportunity to buy tickets to the summer Fandangle performances two months before the tickets go on sale to the general public on May 1.
“Tickets will be available to members only, from when we go live on March 1 until the sampler,” said Bridges. “Make your plans now to join us!”
Members’ names are listed in the Fandangle Souvenir Program.
All levels will receive a parking pass for the priority parking area in reserved rows near the entrance.
New this year will be a Members’ Hospitality Tent. On Fandangle days, members will have access to the tent, which will offer complimentary water, iced tea, light snacks, and shaded seating.
A VIP Hospitality Tent will offer shaded seating and complimentary refreshments to Platinum and Diamond members.
Benefits offered at the Patron level and above include two or more tickets to the summer show, while Silver and higher level members are also provided seat cushions and meal vouchers.
Starting at the Gold level, concession vouchers are included in the packages.
Platinum and Diamond members can arrange for a guided tour of Fort Griffin State Historic Site and are also invited to join a cast member for a photo opportunity and a meet and greet on stage after the show.
“Your Fort Griffin Fandangle Association Membership is the backbone we depend on,” said Bridges. “Your generous support at any level is appreciated.”
Supporters are encouraged to return their membership dues as soon as they can so they can enjoy all the benefits that go along with their charitable contribution to the production of the outdoor musical.
Membership dues can be paid online at fortgriffin fandangle.org, by sending an email request to Bridges at info@fandangle.org, or by calling the Fandangle office at 325-762-3838 after April 1.
Rehearsals
Rehearsals will begin on Tuesday, March 19, according to artistic director Lorna Ayers.
“We will start practice the week after spring break,” Ayers said. “I want everyone except for the horses and rolling stock to come to the practice at the Aztec on March 19 and again the following Tuesday, March 26. After that we hope to move outside.”
Membership Sampler
The first scheduled performance of the 2019 Fandangle is the annual Membership Sampler held on April 20, the third Saturday of the month.
This year the Sampler will once again be held at the site of the actual town of Fort Griffin on Collins Creek Ranch.
Ayers and Pam Davis are writing the script, and this year the theme will be the life of Sallie Renyolds Matthews, following Interwoven.
“We will start where Interwoven starts, and end where it ends,” Ayers said. “We are all excited about the show, and we have an awesome ‘wow’ factor planned.”
Summer Shows
The Prairie Theater has been the home of the summer Fandangle shows since it was built in 1965. This year four performances are scheduled at the Prairie Theater – June 21, 22, 28, and 29 – starting at 8:30 p.m. each evening.
The parade is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 22.
