What You May Have Missed At The St. Ann Arts And Cultural Center

After its annual winter break, the St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center has reopened its doors and a lot has already taken place within the last month. It is about to have its busiest season in its ten year history.

Normally, the Center does not talk about its private rentals, however, there is one that has garnished a lot of attention and even today has many people inquiring about what when on.  This first function of the 2011 season was the coronation of the new king and queen of the East Kingdom.  The East Kingdom, which encompasses the eastern seaboard of the United States from Delaware through Maine and eastern Canada, is part of the Society for Creative Anachronism.  The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc. (SCA,) a not-for-profit educational organization which studies the Middle Ages by recreating the pastimes and crafts of the period.  This is similar to the more familiar King Richard’s Fair. 

With the interior of the St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center designed in the French Renaissance style, it became the perfect backdrop for their semi-annual coronation.  Over 250 people, from as far away as Quebec, converged on Woonsocket, all dressed in period costume.    

The East Kingdom has events almost every weekend through-out the kingdom and anyone may join.  It makes for a great learning experience.  For more information visit EastKingdom.org.  A few pictures accompany this article.

The St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center also presented the first staged performance of opera since the closing of the Woonsocket Opera House in the early 1960s.  The Rhode Island College, Department of Music Theater and Dance presented its production of Opera Workshop.  Students go through an intensive training program in the art of opera.  They participate in master classes with professionals from field including from prestigious places like the Metropolitan Opera.  The students then put what then have learned into practice by learning and staging scenes from various operas.  One of the things that made this production at the Center so remarkable was that they did not use microphones.  Listening to this art form fill the cavernous space without artificial amplification is a remarkable thing to hear.  Pictures and a video are provided in this article.

There is a new organization that will now be utilizing the Center on a regular basis.  The organization is the 13 Moons Turtle Clan.  www.13moonsclan.com. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to sharing  the cultural heritage and diversity of American Indians through educational activities as well as organizing American Indian celebrations and activities.  The 13 Moons Turtle Clan held an indoor pow wow at the Center where native American crafters sold native crafts and the Clan presented native drummers and dancers.  Watch for more events to be presented by the 13 Moons Turtle Clan. 

Also new to Woonsocket is the Fantasy Big Band.  The 20 piece swing band presented an open rehearsal at the Center.  It is considering making the Center and Woonsocket its home base where it will hold open rehearsals and periodic formal dance evenings.

The Rhode Island Wind Ensemble presented its annual performance at the Center.  This year marked the 5^th year that the ensemble performed at the Center.  Every year, this 45 piece ensemble attracts a larger and larger crowd to its performances.  This is another performance that fits the cavernous space of the Center perfectly.  The sound just fills the space so well it is better than listening to your home stereo system.  The quick moving concert featured music from broadway, film and televison.

This year, the Center is well on its way to having the largest number of visitors to pass through its doors.  Already, over 200 people have come through on bus tours through the Blackstone Valley Tourism and the general Sunday tours.  This is already a record pace.  With all of the events combined, over 1000 people have visited the Center over the last month or so.  Most of these visitors have come from out of town.  The Center also continues its commitment to the community by opening its doors for the benefit of others.  One example is it hosted a chocolate and wine tasting that was produced by the Autumnfest Steering Committee to benefit Paul and Lorraine Jacob, who lost their home to a fire.

Every year, the momentum of the St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center continues to grow.  It is now well on its way to becoming one of the finest arts and cultural venues in Rhode Island. 

Stop in and see what the excitement is all about! 

Download the movie

Download the movie