Out of an abundance of caution, the Vermilion Heritage Foundation is canceling the remaining public events at the Fischer Theatre scheduled through the remainder of the month of January.
Vermilion Heritage Foundation Executive Director, Jason Rome, wants to communicate that “due to the current impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on our community, specifically the strain it is causing to our local healthcare system, we feel that the best way for us to positively impact the well-being of our community is to take a break from gathering in large groups at the Fischer Theatre through the end of January.”
This decision was made after discussion with members of VHF’s board of directors, its staff and volunteers, as well as community stakeholders, and seemed to be the most reasonable – and responsible – action to take in light of all available information.
The plan is to cancel the remaining public events scheduled for January, creating a brief pause in large gatherings, and then pick back up with our first event in February – our partnership with the City of Danville to present a live talent show – “Danville’s Got Talent” on Friday, February 4th.
According to Rome, “Our mission is to deliver access to the arts to everyone because of the impact we can have on the quality of life, and so the well-being of those we serve naturally must come first.”
In the meantime Rome indicates that in addition to the many ongoing projects and improvements underway at the Fischer, he will bring back smaller, private party rentals for the limited time that public events are on hold this month. He also wants to remind folks that the marquee is also still available for rental to display messages to friends and loved ones in lights. As always, please check out the Fischer Theatre’s website (www.fischertheatre.com) or follow it on social media for continued information and details as they develop.
The Fischer Theatre was built in 1884 as the Grand Opera House and operated as a performing arts venue and later a movie house until the mid-1980’s. The building is owned and operated by The Vermilion Heritage Foundation. Thanks to the generosity of Julius W Hegeler II, the Fischer reopened as a renovated performing arts center to a sold-out crowd for a concert by The Lettermen in the fall of 2019 and has since hosted live concerts, film presentations, public speakers, and private events.
Events at the theater provide entertainment and exposure to the arts for area residents, a draw for tourism and the overall economic development of the Downtown Danville area, as well as generating funds for additional needed equipment, continued programming, and ongoing restoration of the historic theatre.
