Veterans invited to reception for special art exhibit
A reception for "Celebrating Veterans Through Art" will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at The Office, 201 E. Main St., St. Charles. The event, free to veterans and active duty service people, will feature appetizers, cash bar and music with John and Phil LaDeur. To RSVP, veterans only can call (630) 443-3794.
A Veteran Honor Walk will immediately follow the reception and precede the Veteran Honor Show at approximately 6:45 p.m. at Arcada Theatre. Tickets are on sale for the Veteran Honor Show from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Arcada Theatre. It is part concert and part theater, combining music, videos, and the spoken word to tell veterans' stories.
Performers include country music performer Olivia Dvorak, members of the St. Charles Singers Ensemble, and trumpeter Mark Ponzo. Russ Devereaux will take veterans' stories that have been interviewed and videotaped by students from St. Charles East High School's Class of 2017 and translate those veterans' military experiences into powerful and moving spoken word performances.
This is an opportunity for the public to thank and honor veterans for their service.
The Veteran Honor Show is free to servicemen and women with proof of service. Tickets for all others are $10 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, schedule and tickets, visit StCharlesArtsCouncil.org. Or call (630) 443-3794 or email info@StCharlesArtsCouncil.org for information about purchasing tickets with cash or a check.
The entire event, "Celebrating Veterans Through Art," will be held Nov. 7-14.
The event is organized and sponsored by the St. Charles Arts Council, American Legion Post 342, AMVETS Post 503, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5036, People for the Arts/East High School, St. Charles Rotary Club, and St. Charles Unit District 303.
All veterans served our country, whether or not they fought in a war, were drafted, or volunteered. That service deserves our respect and admiration. It also demands that those who benefitted from that service learn about it, and art plays a crucial role in that education. Art shares veterans' stories of service and sacrifice. Artists are a voice for veterans and provide us all with vehicles for remembrance.
The event purpose is to give veterans an opportunity to tell their stories of service through the arts - the written and spoken word, visual art and video, and the performing arts - and to give the community a chance to learn more about veterans and their experiences through art.