U. R. Guest Services 2014

April 25, 2014June 10, 2014 / pacusher / Leave a comment

It’s a night to celebrate and to recognize the accomplishments of our dedicated volunteer staff. On Thursday, June 5, at 6:00, join us for food, fellowship, and fun at our 3^rd annual Usher Recognition Ceremony, affectionately called U.R. Guest Services because YOU, our usher staff, are the core of Guest Services! For our newer volunteers, here is a recap of last year’s ceremony.

Last year we began the evening with a delicious dinner in the upper lobby, a mixture of your potluck goodies and the Guest Services Department’s fried chicken entree. (We always seem to order too much chicken; maybe we’ll get it right this year!) The wonderful sides and desserts made by our volunteers were great conversation starters; many of us couldn’t wait for recipes of the delicious offerings!

Following dinner we celebrated during the recognition portion of the evening, honoring ushers for their hours of service by awarding service pins for 500, 750, 1000, and 1250 hours of service to the Performing Arts Center. The beautiful pins designed by our Marketing Department and seen on many of our wonderful volunteers showcase their dedication to the center. It’s just our way of saying hats off to our volunteers!

Last year we weren’t able to show a film in the Browning due to the digital cinema upgrade throughout June, but this year we’ll have a make-up screening of Gravity!

So mark your calendars for June 5^th and dig through your recipe books for a side dish, salad, or dessert! RSVP via MyVolunteerPage.com as well as choose a “shift” for which dish you’ll be bringing.

Let’s eat and celebrate another great season at the Performing Arts Center!

Tip of the Week: Coat Check

April 25, 2014June 10, 2014 / pacusher / Leave a comment

Once the curtain closes on Opera ND, the door to coat check will close for the season. Greeters continue to scan patrons entering the doors for flowers and larger items, and know that we will provide a runner to assist with those storage needs, especially during Southold Dance when parents are always bringing bouquets for their toddlers in tiaras!

TIP OF THE WEEK: Entering the Venue before House is Open

April 11, 2014June 10, 2014 / pacusher / Leave a comment

As a courtesy to the performers preparing for a performance, make sure to enter the venue and continue to remain quiet until the performers’ rehearsal has concluded. We want to give them the time they need to prepare and make the performance a success.

Tip of the Week: The Big 4 in May…

April 4, 2014June 10, 2014 / pacusher / Leave a comment

We know that February and April have been very busy months at the center, but May is where we finish strong. Listed below are the highlights of our May shifts…

Fischoff Chamber Music Competition – May 9^th– 11^th

In 1973, Joseph E. Fischoff and fellow members of the South Bend Chamber Music Society sought an innovative way of encouraging young people to pursue chamber music study and performance. The idea of a competition arose, and that first year, six ensembles participated.

Little did the society members know how their idea would grow. Today, still at home in South Bend, Indiana, theFischoff Competition is the largest chamber music competition in the nation and the world. Each year, an average of 125 ensembles, representing 22 nationalities, enter in either the wind or string categories of three to six performers. Fischoff is the only national chamber music competition with both senior divisions (ages 18-35) and a junior division (age 18 and younger). Since its founding, more than 6,600 musicians have participated, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in music performance and education.

2014 Michiana Jewish Film Festival – May 12^th – May 15^th

Sponsored by the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley, the annual Michiana Jewish Film Festival will showcase eight of the world’s best contemporary Jewish films. Because our student ushers will still be in town, these shifts are primarily covered by students with an inside attendant shift available to volunteers. Also note, since this festival is sponsored by another entity, ushers will not be eligible for free tickets.

Notre Dame Commencement Weekend – May 16^th – May 18^th

There is nothing more exciting than Notre Dame’s Commencement weekend, full of events, concerts, and open houses for all to enjoy! At the center, our student ushers remain on campus to assist with our lengthy list of activities on the calendar. The center is host to recognition ceremonies, open houses, receptions, and the annual Band and Glee Club concerts. This is the weekend where our ushers represent the university to welcome guests from all over the world to enjoy this great space!

Alumni Reunion Weekend – May 20^th – May 31^st

Pat your forehead dry as we cross the finish line of our season, Alumni Reunion Weekend 2014! With the theme of Come Together, graduating classes from ’64 to ’09 converge on campus to enjoy events and entertainment on their home campus of Notre Dame! The center hosts a Town Hall Meeting, an open house of our venues, Notre Dame Perspectives, and new this year a Laughing Irish Comedy Show. It’s such great fun to see the faces of alum as they share their stories and see the Performing Arts Center for the first time!