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The tradition of music continues at Opera House
Holiday concert continues a tradition of community at Ainsworth Opera House over weekend
AINSWORTH — This holiday season those in the little town of Ainsworth still use the nearly 100-year-old Opera House for it’s original purpose of gathering together in community to enjoy music.
Though, Iowan Bluegrass musicians brought something a little different to the holiday season in Ainsworth over the weekend as The Great Bluegrass Herons and other musicians entertained with unique takes on classic holiday music at the Ainsworth Opera House Community Center.
Toes tapped along as The Great Bluegrass Herons performed high energy and beautifully harmonized renditions of classics like Hark the Herald Angels Sing and the First Noel.
The Great Bluegrass Herons unique sound comes from the skilled musical talents of members Mark and Janet Wilson and Julie and Paul Roberts.
Paul’s little sister Mary Rathje brought her own special flavor to the performance as she scatted her way through songs with Paul and Mark.
“This is an old French carol, but I bet they never did it like this,” Mark said as he picked up his guitar and started to play a fast tune.
Rathje effortlessly bounced her way through several lively songs with The Great Bluegrass Herons.
While she did sing some lyrics, the way she conveyed emotion through even French words and vocal scatting made understanding exactly what she sand unnecessary for enjoying the music.
“I’m going to sing another French carol so if you don’t understand the words, that’s OK,” she joked as she began a slower number.
Before enjoying refreshment provided by community members, the relatively full audience enjoyed the musical stylings of Straight Back Chair.
“We’re very happy to have Straight Back Chair come down here and play with us this year,” Paul Roberts introduced the band. “They’ve done this here before, I believe it was before COVID closed things down for a while, but we’re back and they’re back.”
“I always love to come to these Country Opera Houses because I think of Ainsworth and Coggon and Elkader and all kinds of places 120, 30, 40 years ago,” Straight Back Chair Banjo player Steve Hanson said. “This is where everybody met and we’re still here.”
Holiday cheer continued as Hanson, Steve Schott, Phil Thomas, and Ursula Williams all played together and sang their own versions of Christmas music and kept the tradition of gathering in country Opera Houses alive.
The afternoon continued to conversation, laughter, applause, and more music from Marc Janssen with Annie Savage before the crowd dispersed until the next time the Opera House offers an opportunity to connect in January.
While activities will slow for the rest of the holiday season, Ainsworth Community Together (ACT) member Sherri Hanzen shared information about upcoming exercise to music activities in January in preparation for a Rock n’ Roll Dance Off scheduled for Feb. 10.
Line Dancing will begin Friday, Jan. 5 at 10 a.m. and more opportunities leading up to the dance off Saturday, Feb. 10.
ACT will offer a lower energy opportunity to connect later in January with a Souper Community Cook Off on the Saturday, Jan. 20.
The group welcomes all kinds of soup and cinnamon roll entries and encourages entries be made by Monday, Jan. 15.
Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com
