A Look Back, a Look Forward

The Wilson and Carol Trueblood Performing Arts Center (TPAC) on Washington Island is now open year round, thanks to the extensive renovation work completed a little over a year ago and our generous donors, program sponsors, local and Door County advertisers and supportive community.

New sidewalks, outdoor lighting, dressing rooms, screen and projection equipment and a state-of-the-art sound system makes the TPAC Theater an ideal venue for a full schedule of diverse programming – from music to movies, dancing to comedy.

The theater seats 270 folks comfortably with great views of the stage from every seat and terrific acoustics.

Starting with Arsenic and Old Lace performed by the Island Players in February, the theater has hosted over 35 programs of entertainment and education this season. Entertainment came from as far away as California and as close as Door County and the rich well of Island talent.

The Wisconsin Council of Churches held its annual retreat for clergy and laypersons, the Washington Island Forum, for a week in June.

The Washington Island Canoe and Kayak Event sponsored a Saturday night program by Ralph Frese, the founder of the Chicagoland Canoe Base, as part of the weekend of paddling events around the Island and a crossing of Death’s Door in June.

The Door County Land Trust brought the incredible American folk musician and singer-songwriter, Willy Porter, to the TPAC stage as part of its two-day fundraising Washington Island Folk Fest in July.

The Island Players preform “Moon Over Buffalo.”

The Island Players second play of the season, Moon over Buffalo, played to a full house at three performances on July 6, 7 and 8.

The second annual Taste of the TPAC showcased the culinary artistry of more than a dozen Island restaurants outside on the patio. Capital Brewery donated Island Wheat Beer and Tennessee Valley Winery donated the wine. The afternoon on the patio was followed by evening presentations in the theater. The Island Players opened with a comic scene. The Washington Island Archives brought Island history to life with portrayals of George Mann and Charles Jess. The evening concluded with music and presentations by many other Washington Island talents.

The Washington Island School used the TPAC for a number of meetings and events without charge; and service organizations, like the American Legion, used the TPAC as part of their Veterans Day programs and presentations.

Washington Island Music Festival

The Washington Island Music Festival brought 12 professional musicians and their families to the Island for two weeks of classical music performances and education at the TPAC in August.

The Washington Island Archives presented the story of the Great Lakes pirate, Dan Peavey, in August

The Death’s Door Barbeque Event brought one of the hottest big bands in the country, The Fatum Brothers’ Jazz Orchestra, to the TPAC on August 25 following the very successful Barbeque Contest held at the Washington Island Airport with 24 competing teams and hundreds of barbeque aficionados.

Interspersed between these programs was a new and popular initiative, TPAC-On-The-Green, with performances by Island musicians, Julian Hagen and Friends and Fritz Damler and Friends, to entertain folks gathered on the expansive front lawn, under the stars, with picnic baskets and cool drinks on a number of mid-week early evenings.

Freewill Sunday matinee and evening movies on the new TPAC Big Screen were also added to the schedule this year, and will continue through the fall, winter and spring thanks to funds donated to underwrite this new program for the Island community.

The TPAC itself brought a number of these events to the Island through the generosity of numerous corporate and individual sponsors. These programs offered opportunities for the audience to join in the fun and a broad selection of music genres to visit the Island, including: Robert J and the Rowdy Prairie Dogs from Madison; the popular rock karaoke band from Madison, The Gomers; The Monkey Business Improv Comedy Troupe from Madison; Claudia Russell and Friends, Bruce Kaplan, Eric Lewis and Katie Dahl; progressive folk music singer-songwriter Jeanne Kuhns with her Lost Mothra Band, George Sawyn and Patrick Palmer; and forty-year veteran of the music scene, Dan Rass and his family of accomplished musicians, the Fairland Bluegrass Band.

Sievers School of Fiber Arts will hold its 17th biennial Gathering at the TPAC with music and fun by Dan Hansen and Cindra Hokkanen on September 29.

Chris Irwin will be at the TPAC on October 7 and Daddy D will bring a program of ‘50s and ‘60s music to the TPAC on October 13.

Washington Island is a unique and beautiful place to get away, engage with the warm and welcoming folks who live and work on the Island, learn the ubiquitous wave, and step back in time to relax and enjoy the numerous museums, expansive beaches, clear waters, starry nights, towering white cliffs, the incomparable Rock Island State Park, and an outstanding diversity of music and educational programs at the Trueblood Performing Arts Center.

For more information visit http://www.truebloodpac.com or http://www.washingtonisland-wi.com.

Peninsula Arts and Humanities Alliance, Inc., is a coalition of non-profit organizations whose purpose is to enhance, promote and advocate the arts, humanities and natural sciences in Door County.