After 117 days of being shut down due to COVID-19, the Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee is opening its doors during scheduled events.

Community members and visitors can enjoy a free talks series (Talks, Tunes, and Tours) offered every Tuesday at 10 a.m., July 7 through August 25. Featured speakers include Dr. Amanda Sewell, music director at Interlochen Public Radio; local artists Richard Kooyman, William Hattendorf, Jef Bourgeau and Susan Barnard; kitchen expert Shelley Doyen from The Ideal Kitchen; author Joan Young and Gypsy Jazz musician Stephen Plummer. Jef Bourgeau kicks off the series on July 7.

The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts is asking visitors to make a reservation on the ticketing site. “It’s a free event, but we want to make sure we don’t exceed our capacity as these talks can be rather popular,” says Executive Director Xavier Verna. “We’re only allowed 50 people in the theatre, so making a reservation online in advance guarantees you a seat.”

New safety guidelines are in place and are available to view here. For everyone’s safety, the RRCA requires masks upon entry and allows them to be removed once seated. Volunteers and staff are prepared to welcome visitors and offer disposable masks, hand sanitizers and wipes. “Our policies are similar to the Vogue Theatre. We have had meetings and walked through our procedures numerous times. I’m confident what we have in place will keep everyone safe,” Xavier says.

Each year, the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts partners with the Vogue Theatre and Old Kirke Museum to offer Midweek Mornings in Manistee, a free/low-cost event series every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. Click here for the full schedule.