The 2020 Ed Kinney Speaker Series presents
An Afternoon or Evening With...
Update: There is no new information about how we will proceed in 2021. We will have a final decision for how the first half of the rescheduled 2020 season will occur in early January of 2021. Please continue to hold on to your 2020 tickets until then. Thank you for your patience and continued support.
Corona Virus Update: Due to Corona Virus and concerns for public health and safety moving forward, the 2020 Ed Kinney Speaker Series has been postponed to 2021. Please see our letter below for more information.
Dear Friends of the Museum,
First, we hope that you and yours are staying safe and healthy during this time. This has been a challenging time for all of us. As we start to move towards reopening, we have some news to share with you. As you are aware, because of the pandemic, we have had to postpone several of our Ed Kinney Series performances. We have now learned that the Firehouse Theater will be closed until further notice. This will necessitate our postponing the rest of the 2020 Ed Kinney Series until next year. While it is not the direction that any of us hoped this would take, the health and safety of our patrons is our and the City’s first consideration.
So, what does this mean for those of you who have tickets?
At this time, the plan is to pick up the 2020 season in March 2021 and to run it through October. All our performers have agreed to honor their contracts and to come back next year as the same character. Since we do not have dates for 2021 from the Firehouse and we do not know the performer’s exact availability for 2021, it is possible, for example, that a character slated to perform in June of 2020 may perform in August of 2021. Flexibility will be the key to all of this, and we hope you will be patient with us as we navigate this complicated rescheduling.
As our patron, you have several options:
Once again, we know you are as disappointed as we are. We hope you understand that we have had to take this step for all of our health and safety. We at the Museum look forward to seeing you soon at the Museum or around town.
Sincerely,
Jim DeMersman
Executive Director
and
Sarah Schaefer
Director of Education
Corona Virus Update: Due to Corona Virus and concerns for public health and safety moving forward, the 2020 Ed Kinney Speaker Series has been postponed to 2021. Please see our letter below for more information.
Dear Friends of the Museum,
First, we hope that you and yours are staying safe and healthy during this time. This has been a challenging time for all of us. As we start to move towards reopening, we have some news to share with you. As you are aware, because of the pandemic, we have had to postpone several of our Ed Kinney Series performances. We have now learned that the Firehouse Theater will be closed until further notice. This will necessitate our postponing the rest of the 2020 Ed Kinney Series until next year. While it is not the direction that any of us hoped this would take, the health and safety of our patrons is our and the City’s first consideration.
So, what does this mean for those of you who have tickets?
At this time, the plan is to pick up the 2020 season in March 2021 and to run it through October. All our performers have agreed to honor their contracts and to come back next year as the same character. Since we do not have dates for 2021 from the Firehouse and we do not know the performer’s exact availability for 2021, it is possible, for example, that a character slated to perform in June of 2020 may perform in August of 2021. Flexibility will be the key to all of this, and we hope you will be patient with us as we navigate this complicated rescheduling.
As our patron, you have several options:
- Simply hold onto your tickets for this year and use them next year for the same performer in whatever month they will perform. Once we have dates (and that may not be until the end or the beginning of next year) we will let people know what those dates will be through a mailing like this one, our social media platforms, our web site and press in the local news media. At this time, you do not need to do anything else.
- You may wish to receive a refund for the entire season or individual performances per your ticket order. You will need to send an email to office@museumonmain.org with your name, address and which tickets you would want refunded. As soon as we have verified that order, we will issue a refund check. Or you may come by the Museum once we have reopened to the public; We do not have a date for that yet. Please do not request refunds by phone.
- You may wish to just donate the cost of the ticket(s) to the Museum and not have to worry about the season next year. Please let us know if we can resell your tickets and we will send you a donation letter.
Once again, we know you are as disappointed as we are. We hope you understand that we have had to take this step for all of our health and safety. We at the Museum look forward to seeing you soon at the Museum or around town.
Sincerely,
Jim DeMersman
Executive Director
and
Sarah Schaefer
Director of Education
About the SeriesThe Ed Kinney Series is a monthly program of historical character portrayals and speakers. Spend an evening with historic characters such as Mark Twain or Babe Ruth and hear from speakers who are experts in their fields.
Many of the speakers in the series are Chautauquans, a type of historical character performance originating in Chautauqua, New York. The Chautauquan is in character from the moment they step onto the stage, through a Q & A portion, and finally will step out of character to answer questions that the historic character they portray could not address. DVDs of select lectures are available for purchase at the Museum on Main Gift Shop. Special thanks to Michael Bruner of Brogan Video for recording services. |
Who Was Ed Kinney?
Museum on Main’s annual series is named in honor of former Pleasanton Mayor Mr. Ed Kinney.
Mr. Kinney was a resident of Pleasanton for many years and was a wonderful advocate for the city. His involvement and service to the city inspired both the Ed Kinney Series and the Ed Kinney Community Patriot Award. He also served as a Vice-President for the Amador-Livermore Valley Historical Society (Museum on Main). Mr. Kinney is warmly remembered as the emcee of the parades in the downtown where he would broadcast from the balcony of the Pleasanton Hotel. |
Location and Tickets
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The Amador Theater
1155 Santa Rita Road Pleasanton, CA 94566 |
Member Benefits!
Members of Museum on Main receive discounted ticket rates and passes for free tickets! Find out more about Membership Benefits.
Members of Museum on Main receive discounted ticket rates and passes for free tickets! Find out more about Membership Benefits.
Ticketing
Please note: All ticketing for the "An Evening With..." Series is through Museum on Main.
The Firehouse Arts Center Box Office does not handle our ticketing.
$20 General Admission
$15 Seniors (65+) / Students (with valid ID)
$10 Members
*MEMBERS WITH LECTURE PASSES: Please note, Member lecture passes MUST be applied to your ticket order. You may call us at (925) 462-2766 or come to the Museum on Main in person to order your tickets and apply your passes. Your lecture passes do not guarantee tickets.
Buy Tickets!
Many of the shows in the An Afternoon or Evening with... series sell out. Tickets may be available at the event subject to availability. Cash, check, Visa and MasterCard accepted.
Please note: All ticketing for the "An Evening With..." Series is through Museum on Main.
The Firehouse Arts Center Box Office does not handle our ticketing.
$20 General Admission
$15 Seniors (65+) / Students (with valid ID)
$10 Members
*MEMBERS WITH LECTURE PASSES: Please note, Member lecture passes MUST be applied to your ticket order. You may call us at (925) 462-2766 or come to the Museum on Main in person to order your tickets and apply your passes. Your lecture passes do not guarantee tickets.
Buy Tickets!
Many of the shows in the An Afternoon or Evening with... series sell out. Tickets may be available at the event subject to availability. Cash, check, Visa and MasterCard accepted.
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Online
Click Here to Purchase tickets Online Tickets purchased online will be available for pick up at Will Call in the lobby of the venue on the evening of the event. |
By Phone
Charge tickets by phone at (925) 462-2766. Tickets purchased by phone will be available for pick up at Will Call in the lobby of the venue on the evening of the event. Visa and Mastercard accepted. |
In Person
Buy your tickets At Museum on Main during regular operating hours. Cash, check, Visa or Mastercard accepted. |
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Ed Kinney Speaker Series Sponsors
Community Sponsors: City of Pleasanton, Civic Arts Commission Grant Program, Cellar Door, Best Western Plus Pleasanton Inn |
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Purchase Tickets:
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An Afternoon or Evening with... Mustafa Kemal Atatürk
January 14, 2pm or 7pm Firehouse Arts Center Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (“father of Turks”), was a Turkish field marshal, revolutionary statesman, author, and founder of the Republic of Turkey, serving as its first President from 1923 until his death in 1938. Ataturk will be portrayed by Chautauqua Scholar Jim Armstead. |
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SOLD OUT
An Afternoon or Evening with... Rosa Parks February 4, 2pm or 7pm Firehouse Arts Center AFTERNOON AND EVENING PERFORMANCES ARE SOLD OUT!!! Rosa Parks was a civil rights leader whose refusal to give up her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Park’s courage and quiet dignity were widely admired, and galvanized others to undertake similar nonviolent resistance to legal discrimination and sparked nationwide efforts to end racial segregation. The activist and mother of the Civil Rights movement will be portrayed by actress Betty Slater. |
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POSTPONED TO 2021
An Afternoon or Evening with... Lady Bird Johnson Date TBD Firehouse Arts Center AFTERNOON AND EVENING PERFORMANCES ARE SOLD OUT!!! Claudia Alta Taylor “Lady Bird” Johnson, wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson, served as First Lady of the United States from 1963 to 1969. She was both an American socialite and a shrewd investor and manager. She expanded the role of First Lady by interacting with Congress directly and advocating strongly for beautifying the nation’s cities and highways. The First Lady will be portrayed by actress Gay Storm. |
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POSTPONED TO 2021
An Afternoon or Evening with... John C. Frémont Date TBD Firehouse Arts Center AFTERNOON AND EVENING PERFORMANCES ARE SOLD OUT!!! John C. Frémont was an American military officer and an early explorer and mapmaker of the American West. He was one of the principal figures in opening up the west to settlement and was instrumental in the U.S. conquest and development of California. Frémont will be portrayed by Chautauqua scholar Frank Mullen. |
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POSTPONED TO 2021
An Afternoon or Evening with... Che Guevara Date TBD Firehouse Arts Center EVENING PERFORMANCE IS SOLD OUT!!! Che Guevara’s name invites controversy. To many he is seen as a savior but to many others he is seen as a violent revolutionary and murderer. Che’s story is complex and driven by an unwavering commitment to economic and educational equality and a relentless pursuit for meaning. The Communist leader will be portrayed by Chautauqua scholar Joey Madia. |
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POSTPONED TO 2021
SOLD OUT An Afternoon or Evening with... Thomas Edison Date TBD Firehouse Arts Center AFTERNOON AND EVENING PERFORMANCES ARE SOLD OUT!!! Thomas Edison is one of America’s greatest inventors. Known as the Wizard of Menlo Park, he was most famous as the inventor who brought us the light bulb, phonograph, and motion pictures. Actor Peter Small will be depicting the famed American inventor. |
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POSTPONED TO 2021
An Afternoon or Evening with... Erma Bombeck Date TBD Firehouse Arts Center AFTERNOON AND EVENING PERFORMANCES ARE SOLD OUT!!! Erma Bombeck captured with poignancy and humor the ups and downs of a new American phenomenon: the suburban housewife. She brought to American awareness the struggles of women whose lives otherwise felt invisible and taken for granted. The beloved author and columnist will be portrayed by Chautauqua scholar Susan Marie Frontczak. |
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POSTPONED TO 2021
An Afternoon or Evening with... Jacques Cousteau Date TBD Firehouse Arts Center AFTERNOON AND EVENING PERFORMANCES ARE SOLD OUT!!! Jacques Cousteau was a French naval officer, ocean explorer, and coinventor of the Aqua-Lung. He is known for his extensive undersea investigations and his iconic red hat. He brought marine biology to the masses through his many TV specials, and his name remains connected to oceanography and ocean conservation. Chautauqua scholar Doug Mishler will portray the famed marine biologist. |
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POSTPONED TO 2021
An Afternoon or Evening with... William Shakespeare Date TBD Firehouse Arts Center AFTERNOON AND EVENING PERFORMANCES ARE SOLD OUT!!! William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright, and actor, and is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's greatest dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon." Despite having his work known and celebrated around the world, Shakespeare’s personal life remains largely a mystery. Actor J.T. Turner will bring the beloved and mysterious William Shakespeare to life. |
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POSTPONED TO 2021
An Afternoon or Evening with... Audie Murphy Date TBD Firehouse Arts Center AFTERNOON AND EVENING PERFORMANCES ARE SOLD OUT!!! Audie Murphy, America’s most decorated WWII combat soldier and Hollywood star, is coming back to Pleasanton by popular demand! Award winning actor Duffy Hudson will portray the war hero in his moving one-man show about Murphy’s life, entitled “To Hell and Back.” |
For more information on the Ed Kinney Series or speakers taking part in the series, contact
the Director of Education at (925) 462-2766 or education@museumonmain.org.
the Director of Education at (925) 462-2766 or education@museumonmain.org.