It is an exciting new year for the Valhalla Arts and Music Festival. With the addition of our new Executive Director, Dr. Steve Farnsley, and the continuing hard work of our Festival Director April Mai and Executive Assistant Candace Curtis, they have put together a festival that goes beyond any we have had in the past. With more events and even greater variety, to say that this festival is unique is really an understatement. The combination of beauty, history, talent, and camaraderie is unparalleled anywhere.
Even our historic Boathouse Theatre has seen improvements in both lighting and sound. Together with our expansive lawn and the beautiful Grand Hall, we are certain your experience will be worthwhile. And it could even take you back to a yesteryear of grand parties, flapper dances, sleek wooden boat parades, and a golden era of Lake Tahoe that is hard, if not impossible, to duplicate. We hope you will take advantage of the many opportunities listed in this brochure and experience Valhalla’s magic as often possible. From unique concerts, to live theatre, to cultural events, to visual arts, to educational and interactive programs, we are very proud of our festival offerings and feel certain the whole family will enjoy your time with us.
The Tahoe Tallac Association operates and maintains the historic site under a special use permit with the US Forest Service. It has been the generosity of our local community, Association members, visitors, and private and government Grants, that has allowed our organization to restore and maintain the historic setting and buildings and to continue to cultivate a thriving art, theatre, and music culture in the South Lake Tahoe area.
We hope you will consider becoming a member of our organization and/or offering a donation to the Tahoe Tallac Association as well as enjoying the unique events in this fabulous setting. And, as always, we would like to express our gratitude to our current business sponsors, donors, and Grant organizations that are listed in this brochure.
We look forward to seeing you this summer. Thank you again for your support.
Enjoy the season!
Sincerely,
Dave Hamilton
Tahoe Tallac Association Board President
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| About Tahoe-Tallac Association |
The Tahoe Tallac Association was formed in 1979 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with the goal of assisting the Forest Service in restoring the three estates on the Tallac Historic Site and developing the site as a historic center while sponsoring as well as producing the Valhalla Arts & Music Festival held annually on the Heller Estate of the Tallac Historic Site. The site is listed on the National Registry of Historic Sites.
The Tahoe Tallac Association and the U. S. Forest Service have enhanced and restored a significant heritage area in the Tahoe region. We are also enabling the public to learn about, as well as enjoy, many rich diverse cultural experiences. The Association annually sponsors the Valhalla Arts & Music Festival, which features events that reflect the art and music of many cultures and historic time frames while enriching the lives of those who attend.
The efforts of the Tallac Association and the U. S. Forest Service have brought life back to this once popular lakeside area. To date, several buildings have been rehabilitated and restored, but a great deal of work remains to be done. Currently, cultural arts programs are housed in several structures on the site, bike paths wind through the site and concerts and art exhibits are held throughout the summer. All of this varied activity attracts over 100,000 visitors each summer. There are many important facets to our program that appeal to all ages ranging from art and photo exhibitions, arts education, art demonstrations, artists in residency, theatrical performances and a huge array of concerts that are designed to appeal to a diverse culture, interest, as well as raise funds for restoration projects on the site.
Festival overview
The Valhalla Arts & Music Festival is a unique celebration of music and the visual arts. This upscale event is set against the magnificent backdrop of Lake Tahoe and the Tallac Historic Site. The Festival is in its 27th year and is produced by the Tahoe Tallac Association.
The Tallac Historic Site is a 74 acre tract containing 19 historic structures including 3 rustic mansions dating from 1873 to 1920. The mansions and many smaller buildings set the stage for a variety of music and arts programs. Concert performances take place in the Valhalla Boathouse Theatre. Concertgoers can enjoy a picnic on the lawn before attending the concerts which feature jazz, Celtic, classical, Latin rhythms, Cajun or world music.
The Art Gallery located in the Valhalla Grand Hall showcases featured artists that produce and display their art for the site's many visitors. At times one hundred artists participate annually.
The Festival
The season begins in May with events and activities that continue to take place throughout the year.
- Reggae Festival:
A celebration of fine brew and fantastic music! Microbreweries from all over the West bring their specialty beers for sampling. The tropical sounds of Jamaica are brought to the Valhalla with a reggae band, barbecue and refreshments are available.
- Concerts:
Concerts are held in the newly refurbished Boathouse Theatre. A wide range of musical styles are represented.
- Valhalla Art Exhibits:
The Art Gallery is the visual art that highlights the work of approximately 80 regional artists. Exhibits are open Monday thru Friday to the public.
- Children's Art workshops or Art for All:
The Art Workshops are a resounding success. Both local and visiting children attended the children's programs establishing an early art and nature awareness.
The Valhalla Boathouse Theatre
Boathouse Theatre Performances:
The main thrust for the Tahoe Tallac Association over the last few years was to rehabilitate a historic Boathouse and convert it to a performing space. We have launched into a performance program for children and adults. We also facilitate and encourage use of the Theatre space by other non-profit art groups and private individuals.
The Valhalla Boathouse Theatre is located on the extraordinarily beautiful south shore of Lake Tahoe on one of Tahoe’s most prestigious Historic Places, the Tallac Historic Site. The structure dates back to the turn-of-the-century, distinguishing it as one of Tahoe’s earliest preserved buildings.
Tahoe Tallac Association, a grass roots organization, successfully lobbied for Federal Funds amounting to $212,500 for restoration of the Theater. The U.S. Forest Service has coordinated approximately 40% and the Tahoe Tallac Association has contributed approximately 60% to this project. The Tallac Association has also been assisted by local businesses, as well as by many committed individuals from the South Lake Community who contributed their time and services. Additionally, the Tahoe Tallac Association received a grant from the David and Lucille Packard Foundation for $48,500 that completed this charming Theater.
Over the last ten years, the Association has contributed in excess of $600,000 toward restoration, rehabilitation and maintenance at the Tallac Site. The donation of volunteer time, labor and expertise by Association members of the community has been valued at over $650,000 for the past twenty years.
Goals and objectives
- To provide the public a wide range of musical listening experiences including jazz, classical, Cajun, bluegrass, Blues, World Music and other ethnic musical styles such as flamenco, Celtic and Latin Music.
- Continue to grow the number of cultural offerings and create a more varied program. Introduce new art forms to be performed in the Valhalla Boathouse Theatre, such as films, children’s productions, and art and performing workshops, dance, improvisation and adult performances.
Give musicians and artists the opportunity to share their gifts and exhibit their work.
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2007-08 Board Roster
Dave Hamilton, President
Diana Evans, Past President
Pam Taylor, Vice-President
Dave Cooper, Secretary
Greta Hambsch, Treasurer
Board Members
Michael Adamson
Gail Sutton Allen
Terri Arnold
Lori Cramer
Diana Evans
Joanne Foster
Norm Glen
Stephanie Hannah
Jerald Lasrow
Kurt Munger
Beachy Orr
Bruce Rettig
Eric Taxer
Tod Wallace
Staff
Candace Curtis, Executive Assistant
April Mai, Festival Technical Director
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The Tahoe Tallac Association Honors and Celebrates Volunteers!
As a valued volunteer of the Tahoe Tallac Association, you know the countless hours and tireless effort it takes to host a quality Valhalla Arts and Music Festival each year. You are a huge part of that effort and the Tahoe Tallac Board salutes you!
We wanted to make you aware of some of the challenges the Association is facing, as well as how the Board is making strategic plans to address those challenges to ensure the success of the Tahoe Tallac Association in the years to come.
Board Composition
Each June the Tahoe Tallac Board is reconstituted, with many Board members returning to volunteer their time, as well as some new faces of those who wish to serve our community. This year the Board members are:
- Michael Adamson
- Gail Sutton Allen
- Terri Arnold
- Dave Cooper
- Lori Cramer
- Diana Evans
- Joanne Foster
- Norm Glen
- Greta Hambsch
- Dave Hamilton
- Stephanie Hannah
- Jerald Lasrow
- Kurt Munger
- Beachy Orr
- Bruce Rettig
- Pam Taylor
- Eric Taxer
- Tod Wallace
Funding
As you may know, government funding for the arts is, unfortunately, being dramatically reduced, if not cut entirely. The Board plans to diversify the funding strategy in the following ways:
- Seek more corporate sponsorships;
- Apply for historic preservation funding opportunities for which we are very competitive (Where else can you find such a breathtakingly beautiful historic site?); and
- Apply for private foundation funding.
Planning
The Board is planning to undertake some changes that we hope will result in better program coordination, and may ultimately make your jobs as volunteers a bit easier:
- The Board will be conducting a retreat this Fall to focus on just what the organization should look like in the next three to five years. Topics they will discuss will include things like funding, staffing, types of programming offered, possible collaboration with other arts organizations around the Basin, etc.
- The Board has discussed a desire to begin developing a three-year plan for our cultural arts program development. This will enhance our ability to match grant sources with planned programs in a way that will enable us to be assured of funding earlier in the process.
Historic Preservation While we enjoy our bit of Tahoe history that is embodied in the Tallac Site, preservation of Valhalla, the Boathouse Theatre and the Twin Cabins is an expensive undertaking. The cost of replacing the roof on Valhalla is estimated at approximately $175,000! Fortunately, the Association does not have to bear that cost alone, as the Forest Service budget does cover most of the expense. However, we do have an obligation to raise $30,000 as our contribution for the roof replacement and are currently seeking funds for that purpose.
Audience Development
It has been said that the Tallac Site and our fantastic programs are one of the best-kept secrets at Lake Tahoe. We need to change that by reaching out to our friends and neighbors -- our local community -- to ensure that everyone can experience what we already know is true. There is fun to be had, friendships to be made and a wonderful cultural arts program to be experienced at the Tahoe Tallac Site. We have a wonderful opportunity to develop our skills as ambassadors and marketers, so let's use it!
Finally, a genuine and heartfelt THANK YOU from the Tahoe Tallac Association Board. Your volunteerism is at the heart of our organization, and we appreciate you!
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