Our Digital Billboard Campaign

Throughout 2011 The Grand will have a 24/7 presence on Lamar Digital billboards located at University & Asbury, US 20 near Century Dr & JFK north of Asbury Road. They will be used to promote most every event at the Grand with a goal of attracting as many patrons as possible to our wonderful venue and to support all the events that we have scheduled in 2011. The first posting will alternate BUDDY with THE 4 FRESHMEN.

Nutcracker breaks attendance records

The Dubuque City Youth Ballet performance of “The Nutcracker” at the Grand Opera House was attended by a record 2,029 persons surpassing last year by more than 300 persons.

Artistic Director Marina O’Rourke is already working on the Heartland Ballet Spring Gala in March of 2011. The spring production will feature three brand new and original one act ballets including a new work choreographed to original music composed by Clarke University music professor David Resnick.

Resnick’s composition, “A Novel Idea” will be performed by the composer onstage with the dancers. Titles of the two other original works will be announced in January.

Concession Stand News

In early January we will switch from Pepsi fountain product to cans in time for the February events. Cost is virtually the same. They will supply recycle containers for us and they will pick them up when necessary. ONLY Pepsi products can be in these recycle containers. So, we'll have to be careful about that.

Pepsi will supply a cooler for us to keep the product in upstairs and downstairs.

This opens up a much greater variety of product to sell, including lemonade, orange drink,etc. And, would allow us the luxury of opening up a second soft drink stand in the box office area when there is a great demand as during the ballet.

This switchover will save us from wasted product, the expense of CO2, cups, ice, etc. Progress!

Marina O'Rourke talks about the 2010 Nutcracker at the Grand

Marina O'Rourke in the Dubuque Academy of Ballet studio