By Shantelle Breaux

ASSISTANT EDITOR

CROWLEY – The guest speaker at a recent meeting of the Crowley Rotary Club was Kim Gattle, director of the Grand Opera House of the South, who spoke about the upcoming second season.

“We’re very excited,” said Gattle of the opening performance on September 5, which will feature Percy Sledge. Gattle mentioned other upcoming performances, including musician Janice Martin and Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie, a dance company from Canada that will bring a touch of modern and classical dance to the Opera House.

The Opera House will also be featuring the Family Series, sponsored by Ted and Judy Carmichael and their family, in response to requests for more family entertainment, stated Gattle. She also mentioned that if anyone is interested in making a monetary donation to the family series, instead of buying an ad in the program for next season, the money will be used to give needy children an opportunity to visit the Opera House.

Gattle also gave an update on renovations taking place at the Opera House. The Gielen family is leasing the bottom portion of the building from the non-profit Opera House Board of Directors and construction has begun to make the space into a reception area. According to Gattle, the area will host its first wedding reception in April 2010.

Gattle emphasized that the Opera House can be use for more than just performances. The two parts of the space available for rent are 1) the auditorium and stage and 2) the ballroom.

After Gattle opened the floor to questions, Troy Breaux, a member of the Opera House Board of Directors, emphasized just how lucky Crowley is to have the Grand Opera House of the South.

“We have an amazing structure here,” stated Breaux. “They have given it to our community. It belongs to Crowley.”

“Let’s support the Opera House. Let’s get them rolling.”