Summer Music Series Kicks Off Friday Night

By ERIC X. VICCARO

eviccaro@stegenherald.com

The 13th Annual Ste. Genevieve Chamber of Commerce Summer Music Series begins this coming Friday at 8 p.m. at the renovated Orris Theater.

Chamber of Commerce executive director Dena Kreitler has encouraged by early ticket sales.

“We’ve been very successful so far,” Kreitler said. “Our ticket sales have been wonderful. We are close to some sellouts. People are ready to go out (again).”

The Blue Marlin Band will be the first act on stage this week.

Kreitler reported it has been about 18 months since Blue Marlin has performed live.

Based in Illinois, Blue Marlin has a large following, and the group has performed at Ste. Genevieve’s Jour de Fete.

The Orris Theatre (located at 265 Merchant Street), with its renovation nearing completion, will have a reported capacity of 225.

“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for the last 10-15 years,” Orris Theater owner, and one time Ste. Genevieve mayor, Dick Greminger said.

“I think it’s needed a face lift, Greminger added. “We wanted to change the look of the building, and we are looking forward to when it’s finished.”

Renovations have included a new wooden floor. Old facades and wooden poles have been removed. New lighting has been installed, along with new handrails and steps.