FiddleFare raises funds for Opera House

It was a night brought to you by the number four – four fiddles, four entrées and four West Virginia brewed beers.

As a fundraiser for the Pocahontas County Opera House, The Fiddlehead in Slaty Fork hosted FiddleFare, a night of fine dining and fiddle music.

Opera House manager Brynn Kusic said she and the board of directors were excited by the turnout of supporters.

“We did end up selling out,” she said. “Eighty-five tickets were sold. We made a little over $3,000. We are just absolutely thrilled by the people who came out, by the support, the the community that showed up. For us, it was just a great reminder that people appreciate the Opera House. That they like what is happening here and that they are really invested in keeping it going.”

The funds raised will go toward daily operation and the possibility of new programs and performances at the Opera House.

“This money is going to go toward our programming and continuing to keep the building open to the community groups, and having it available for rentals,” Kusic said. “The more money we raise, the more ability we have to even have the opportunity to bring in what we don’t expect, like if we have the opportunity for someone to come through that we haven’t written a grant for.”

The Opera House also plans to increase the number of school shows and performances geared toward students in the county.

“We’re just starting a partnership with the high school this year,” Kusic said. “It’s like a high school Opera House club. It really makes a bridge between the high school students and the opportunities the Opera House provides for future job possibilities and job skills. That’s something we’ve been thinking about a lot lately.”

The event featured performances by Paolo and Erica Marks, Doug VanGundy, Paul Marganian and Mike and Mary Sue Burns.

The menu consisted of four entrées accompanied by a West Virginia brewed beer.

“It was like a five star night,” Kusic said. “Food and music, and it all came right from out of our county.”

For more information on the programs provided by the Pocahontas County Opera House, visit www.pocahontasoperahouse.org

Suzanne Stewart may be contacted at sastewart@pocahontastimes.com