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Date: 9/9/2021
WESTFIELD – Members of the Westfield Woman’s Club and Westfield Theatre Group (WTG) are gearing up for a “grand re-opening extravaganza” since the club’s stately building has been closed for nearly two years due to renovations and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“An open house setting was chosen because we wanted to make this a family-friendly event,” said Laurie Furkey, a Westfield Theatre Group board member. “Come when you can, leave when you must, and check out the building, listen to some great music, and have a snack.”
The free public event is slated for 5-7 p.m. Sept. 18, at the Westfield Woman’s Club, 28 Court St. Music will be provided by Jeff Gavioli and his Bad News Jazz and Blues Orchestra.
“The plan at the moment is to have a dance floor in front of the stage and chairs set up in the auditorium,” said Furkey, adding the balcony will also be available for seating. Since inside seating will be limited, masks are encouraged.
“We are hoping the weather cooperates and we can leave the front doors open so people can sit on the front lawn to listen to music if they would like,” she added.
Doors for the concert will open at approximately 4:30 p.m., and the concert starts at 5 p.m. Snacks and nonalcoholic beverages will be sold during the concert.
Furkey is being assisted behind the scenes on the event by Anne Mello, Woman’s Club president; Kathleen Palmer, club vice president, and Dawn Thomas, Theatre Group board member and Woman’s Club treasurer.
The idea for a relaunch party had been in the discussion phase for several months among Woman’s Club members, with the main sticking point being the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.
“The Woman’s Club is a wonderful institution that has been part of Westfield for over 100 years,” said Furkey. “People should come see the renovations and what the club has to offer.”
While plans were being discussed, Furkey said in a “serendipitous way,” orchestra leader Jeff Gavioli approached club members about a grant that had been received.
“The orchestra received a Westfield Cultural Council grant and Jeff wanted to do something in the way of a fundraiser for the WTG,” said Furkey, noting he had participated in Westfield Theatre Group shows over the years. “Because of the grant parameters, the concert must be free to the public so a fundraiser couldn’t happen.”
What transpired was an open house program featuring music by the orchestra, as well as Woman’s Club members showcasing the programs they sponsor.
“We are asking that each division/club have a representative in attendance to share information about the Westfield Woman’s Club in general and their particular division,” said Furkey, adding divisions include the theatre group, book club, bridge club and garden club.
“We are hoping this will bring in some new members,” she said, adding, “We are always looking for people to become involved with the WTG. We always need ushers during the run of the show, sometimes we need people to help backstage. Also, we are always looking for people who are interested in set design and build, costumes, and stage managing,” she noted.
Furkey said there will be sign-up sheets on the day of the event for area residents interested in more information about club programs.
Furkey noted that club members are also working on a special offer for opening night of the fall show – two one-act plays titled “Spontaneous Combustion” and “Morse Code” – by local playwright Steve Henderson, and the Christmas musical, “She Loves Me.” The one-act plays will be staged Oct. 15, 16, 22 and 23, and the musical is planned Dec. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11.
“Maybe the most important thing about this event is that it has been a long almost two years and we hope we can provide a sense of community and an enjoyable evening of great music,” said Furkey.