I’m gobsmacked with admiration for the love, sweat and likely many tears that Ms Vann may have shed when the estimates came in on what monumental costs lay ahead to put Al & Sally Grossman’s “baby” together again. While I can’t claim the title of “townie,” the Bearsville “Commune,” is one community I’d have paid for the right to hold dual-citizenship. Thank you, M’Lady for recognizing the treasure, memories and magic that property possesses.🕉..
Lizzie did an AMAZING job! Can't wait to see a live event at the theater soon. Thank you Lizzie for the glorious renovation and re-invention of the place.
I have been to very many gigs and events at Bearsville over the last 6 or 7 years and watched the decline and neglect. I saw the numerous treasures cast in back rooms and corners and closets around the green room that were such a big part of it's (and our) history with great disappointment. The building was beginning to crumble through neglect. I worked there as a volunteer for the Woodstock Invitational Guitar Luthier's Showcase and spent much of my time in the Peterson house where water dripped through the ceiling onto tables and floors. To see what Lizzie has done is remarkable! She has not overlooked a single thing. She instinctively knew the value of the history, rescued and restored all the precious items possible, repaired the buildings down to the very foundations and did everything the 'RIGHT" way to make it last many more decades. In doing so, she utilize3d local talents as the original buildings had been constructed with but went far beyond with the amazing artwork, décor, and furnishings. When you walk in the only word that comes to mind is "WOW!". It seems around every corner is a new treat. Even the restrooms are a joyful distraction wiuth their beautiful art. I have been lucky to get a tour about 6 months ago when friends did a live stream from there (one of the very first in the new theater) and I was blown away. Lizzie truly has come out of nowhere, seen what we were losing and clutched it from the jaws of death to make it into a shining star. I simply cannot wait until once again I can casually catch a gig there on a weekend or an evening, or spend 3 days working the Showcase, or whatever. Congratulations to Lizzie and her team for the priceless contribution to our community. Especially given all the roadblocks along the way with never ending structural issues discovered and worst of all, the pandemic. Hard to believe it could be done, but you've done it better than anyone could have dreamed. Folks if you don't know the theater, it's history, and have never been there, I suggest a visit next time you can. If you have been there and know the history, you REALLY have to get there. This is going to knock your socks off!
@@BearsvilleTheaterWoodstock Thank you for the Tour just before that Mammals Live stream event. Can't wait to see what you have done since I was there. I heard about the Woodstock Mountain Review art work and I can't wait to see it and get a photo. Many of those folks remained the heart of the town and some I call good friends.
Congratulations Lizzie Vann Fabulous! What a wonderful thing to do and you have done it so well. My memories of Bearsville. I spent a fair amount of time in Bearsville late 70’s early 80’s Albert had signed my good friend Tony Wilson who had left the UK band “Hot Chocolate” to go solo. Albert had offered me a job as a recording engineer after recording Tony’s first album in the UK for Bearsville. It was such a beautiful place filled with music. Unfortunately as I was spending more and more time writing and producing, so settling down in one place, it just wasn’t the right time. But I visited often. Everyone I met there were great people and easy going, Ian, Vinnie and the talent Randy to mention a few. My wife Sue and I had many great nights at Dennie’s who served the best Strawberry tarts in the World. What a great muso place that it was to hang out at night. I found Albert was a strange charismatic sort of Character, but that was what the business was built on through the 60/70/80’s. I remember one morning leaving the Bear Restaurant and walking over to speak to Albert. He was standing over a hole in the ground watching 2 guys digging away. We chatted and he was telling me this was going to be “The Little Bear restaurant. I went off to Woodstock for a few hours and on my return I went for a beer at the bear (sound like a song title) and Albert hadn’t moved an inch from where he was standing hours earlier. I seem to remember he had a Rolls Royce that never moved but a service guy would come from the UK, once a year to check it over. I often wonder what direction my career would have gone in, if I had moved with my wife and our 2 young children to Bearsville and the wonderful house we were shown. Below at 5 minutes in, is a short piece of footage of a celebration day at Bearsville.This was for an hour documentary made for the BBC of Bearsville artist. I have overdubbed the footage of Tony with one of our recordings, recorded a few years later, which is for an album we are selling. But the footage has captured the great vibe of those days. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vPKVDTVo45c.html There is also some footage at Tony’s house with his famIly and my wife Sue and our son Nathan. Tony’s guitar and vocal version of this song was recorded after a heavy night with Randy and Vinnie at Tony’s. House. Randy had sung the song that night, I really thought is was a classic and asked Tony the next day to record it on a cassette for me. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-K7-S1U9Qdmw.html Tony is now 84 and lives in Trinidad and I speak with him often He also has wonderful memories of Bearsville. I wish you every success. Keep safe in these crazy times. Kind regards Kenny Denton
Thanks Liz for your amazing dedication to restoring such a treasure. Enjoyed a few outdoor concerts there last summer and can't wait for live indoor concerts again!
I had the privilege of working with Lizzie and her team recently on a streaming show with Madison VanDenburg. The theater is absolutely beautiful, the production team is first rate, and Lizzie's commitment to quality in everything she does is apparent. I can't wait to go back for live shows. In the meantime I'll be watching from home. Best of luck to everyone on the Bearsville team.
Oh wow! Fantastic job Lizzie...I soooo look forward to coming back to Bearsville and experiencing these spaces fresh and renewed....Big hug to my Bro JBS!
