Due to unanticipated scheduling problems, we have had to switch two performances on our 2011 Celebrated Speakers Series lineup. The kickoff appearance slated for January 15 was originally scheduled to be presidential speechwriter and Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan. Instead, that date will be filled by political satirist and conservative pundit P. J. O'Rourke. As a result, the February 5 program will now feature Noonan, instead of O'Rourke as originally scheduled.

"For people who have already purchased ticket packages that included O'Rourke but not Noonan, we will offer them the opportunity to attend whichever performance they select," states Donald Croteau, an Emerson Center volunteer who oversees box office operations. "An explanation will be mailed to them shortly and we hope to eliminate any confusion.

"We thank everyone for understanding the problems encountered when trying to schedule prestigious speakers and for working with us as we deal with this situation," adds Croteau.

REMINDER! subscriptions for our 5-performance 2011 Celebrated Speakers Series are now available! You can learn more from our website. To reserve seats, call the Box Office at 772.778.5249 or order online here.

Famed opera stars bring Master Classes to our stage.

Opera stars Deborah Voigt and Marcello Giordani will appear in Vero Beach's Emerson Center on January 31-February 1 to provide master classes for aspiring performers who seek to be the stars of tomorrow. This Special Event, held in conjunction with the Vero Beach Opera, provides our audiences the opportunity to observe these advanced training classes from the audience. Tickets will go on sale OCTOBER 1. Mark your calendar.

When our Patrons talk, we listen.

From the start of our Celebrated Speakers Series, we heard the requests. "Let us participate in selecting the lecturers who appear on The Emerson Center's stage?" And, we responded.

Each year, the members of our Celebrated Speakers Series Patrons Club are invited to provide their suggestions for building the coming season. At this moment, the members are marking their ballots to provide the guidance we need to build an exciting season for 2012.

"We rely on the opinions of our Patrons," states Don Croteau, an active volunteer with The Emerson Center, "to help us enlist a roster of speakers who will inform and entertain our audiences. Not only are their insights important, their connections have actually helped us recruit speakers from time to time. We'd be lost without them.

"While we work hard to sign-up the lecturers our Patrons prefer most," Croteau adds, "we sometimes have to make other decisions due to scheduling problems or budgetary concerns. Still, our Patrons' advice keeps us focused on the programs our audiences desire and demand. We feel that this input is a major reason our programs continues to be so popular."

Current Patrons who have not returned their ballots should send them in as soon as possible. Other non-Patrons may want to consider becoming Patrons in order to participate in future selections and enjoy the many other benefits of Patron status.

Our 2010-2011 Humanities Series launches in October.

Plans for the fourth season of the The Emerson Center's Humanities Series are coming together, according to Joyce Levi, volunteer coordinator of these FREE events at The Emerson Center. "We have a roster of speakers," indicates Levi, "who offer an array of cultural, artistic, and historical perspectives. It is not too early to mark your calendars so you don't miss any of these important events."

One important change for the upcoming season: Funding provided from the Florida Humanities Council to underwrite this series in the past is no longer available. According to Levi. "We are looking for a sponsor to help keep this series alive and allow us to continue providing free admission to the many neighbors who eagerly anticipate these events. Surely, someone will step forward and make certain we can sustain The Humanities Series."

Click here for the latest news about the upcoming Florida Humanities Series.

For more information about events (or to purchase tickets), call 772.778.5249 or visit our online box office. We accept MasterCard, Visa, and American Express.

Get additional information online by clicking here.

Generous support for The Emerson Center is provided by: