People throughout the country are spending this weekend consuming crazy amounts of turkey and taking the time to be thankful for the people, things, and experiences that have been a part of their lives.  VLOC is no exception, and we'd like to take a moment to say thank you to YOU.  We exist to serve our community in many ways, ranging from performance opportunities to educational opportunities.  We are grateful to be able to serve such a vibrant, engaged, and close-knit community because VLOC wouldn't exist without your support and enthusiasm.  Whether you're a long-time VLOC member or have only attended one show, you are important to us, and we are thankful for your involvement and contribution to the VLOC family.

If you'd like to help us out even more, we have a couple of fundraising opportunities currently in progress:

Get your raffle ticket for a chance to win a 2014 Toyota Prius!  
VLOC will receive $25 for each raffle ticket sold!  Just type in "Victorian Lyric Opera Company" as the Organization Name when purchasing your ticket.  
This opportunity ends this weekend on November 30th!  Tickets can be purchased here.  

Help us prove that Opera Really Truly Matters by donating to our Power2Give campaign!
You can help us ensure fabulous productions of this season's shows, Haddon Hall and Ruddigore by donating to our Power2Give campaign, and Montgomery County will match 50 cents for every $1 donated!  Watch our parody video and donate here.

Happy Thanksgiving, and thank you for being a part of VLOC!

VLOC has been busy the past few weeks preparing for the final two shows of the season -  Sullivan and Grundy's Haddon Hall and Gilbert and Sullivan's Ruddigore.  The audition process for both shows is complete, and Haddon Hall has already begun rehearsals!  We are also very excited to share our Haddon Hall cast:

John Manners - James Carpenter
Sir George Vernon - G. Stephen Stokes
Oswald - Tom Mirenda
Rupert Vernon - Gregory Stuart
The McCrankie - Gary Sullivan
The Puritans - Josh Milton, Josh Katz, Bill Rogers, Kent Woods
Major Domo - Tom Goode
Dorothy Vernon - Audrey Kline
Lady Vernon - Denise Young
Dorcas - Amanda Jones
Nance - Stephanie Shade
Gertrude - Lynn Bonomo
Deborah - Stevie Miller
Servant Quartet - Harper Denhard, Mary Mitchell, Roger Porres, Tom Goode
Chorus - Alan Barnett, Rand Huntzinger, Ralph Johnson, Carlton Maryott, Jane Maryott, Deb Peetz, Margot Perry, Rusty Suter, Ed Vilade, Karen Wahl, Maria Wilson

We'll be sharing more information on the show and the cast in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, why not go ahead and secure your tickets for this fantastic production?  You can also get season tickets (includes both Haddon Hall and Ruddigore) and save!  Just call the box office at 240-314-8690.  

One of VLOC's favorite operetta composers, John Phillip Sousa, turns 160 on Thursday, November 6th!  VLOC has performed many of Sousa's operettas, including Desiree, El Capitan, and most recently, The Charlatan.  

If you're a big Sousa fan, also, and want to celebrate The March King's birthday, you are in luck.  Congressional Cemetery in southeast D.C. will be holding a free celebration at Sousa's grave near the cemetery's chapel on November 6th at 10:30 am.  The Marine Band will play a tribute, and Sousa himself (who has also appeared at VLOC performances of Sousa operettas!) will be in attendance. Admission is completely free, and RSVPs are not needed.  Click here for more information on this event.

If you're free on Thursday morning, this will be a fantastic event to honor the life of a musician and composer that means so much to D.C., our country, and of course, VLOC!