Don’t you tell me there’s nothing to do.

We’re going into Labor Day weekend, the high arts season has not begun, today’s Monday and tomorrow’s Tuesday.

At 7 tonight (Monday, 8/31) Kevin Stalheim, Present Music‘s artistic director, will lead a listening session at the Irish Pub, across Water Street from MIAD in the Third Ward.

What could that be? Even Eric Lind, PM’s exec., couldn’t fathom it. Knowing Kevin, he’ll spin some unlikely discs, talk about them in his unlikely way, and get a discussion going. Listen, think, drink, talk. I can get behind that.

Tomorrow is a big day in the history of the Skylight Opera Theatre. The company will officially celebrate its 50th birthday with an open house at the Broadway Theatre Center. If it goes as it ought to, the free event could help heal some of the hurt feelings inflicted and suffered during a strife-torn summer.

Colin Cabot and Joan Lounsbery, here as interim leaders/healers, will be there. And many of the performers who agitated against company policies and former executive director Eric Dillner will be there singing and dancing for free. They are working to pull the Skylight from its financial and to restore the good will that was largely lost over the summer.

Admission is free, but they would just love it if you bought a subscription or made a donation.

Here is the official schedule and invitation:

Come one, come all for a FREE celebration of the Skylight’s rich 50-year history! Whether you’ve been a Skylight patron since 1959 or you’ve never even seen a show, this open house and concert will welcome you into the Skylight community – illustrating just how special this theatrical gem really is.

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

The event will include an intimate glimpse behind the scenes of the Skylight with backstage tours and costume, set and prop displays; a concert in Catalano Square with Skylight favorites singing big Broadway musical numbers, torchy jazz hitz, arias – a taste of the variety of music theatre we perform on the Skylight mainstage; and a special performance featuring the magic of David Seebach and our own Colin Cabot and Norman Moses.

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Open house with backstage tours, exclusive access to Skylight memorabilia and displays of props, costumes and scenery.

6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Benefit concert in Catalano Square (corner of Menomonee and Broadway) with contributed performances by Skylight artists
including a 50th Anniversary Season Preview.

9:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Variety show hosted by Skylight favorite Colin Cabot.

Free will offerings will be accepted throughout the evening to benefit the Skylight’s productions and programs.
Food and beverage service will be offered in the Skylight Bar by Fratellos Waterfront Restaurant.