The 2024 Ed Kinney Speaker Series presents
An Afternoon or Evening With...
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. |
GREAT NEWS! The 2024 season is in-person at the Firehouse Arts Center, but we will still have a virtual option. Continue reading for more details!
Locations:
In- Person: Firehouse Arts Center Virtual Viewing: BigMarker Webinar Platform 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. In- Person Performances at the Firehouse Arts Center: (per- person) $25 General Admission $20 Seniors (65+) / Students (with valid ID) $15 Members No refunds For the 2024 season we will only accommodate a request to switch an in-person ticket to a virtual viewing ticket at no cost up to seven days before the live performance date. We will make exceptions for emergencies at our discretion. If you need to switch your in-person ticket to a virtual ticket during the 2 weeks before the virtual performance date, you can do so by purchasing a virtual ticket for the general admission price. A virtual Viewing on BigMarker: (per- household) Large groups such as senior centers or schools who would like to purchase for large group viewing- please contact the museum for pricing $25 General Admission $20 Seniors (65+) / Students (with valid ID) $15 Members No refunds Due to copyright, if you miss the virtual viewing for whatever reason there will be no alternative viewing times provided to you. The cost of your unused ticket can be applied to an upcoming virtual viewing program if requested or it will be considered a donation to the museum. Refunds based on unexpected technical difficulties will be considered on a case by case basis, but must be reported to the Director of Education via email ([email protected]) or phone (925)462-2766 during the 24 hour viewing window. Member Benefits!
Members of Museum on Main receive discounted ticket rates and vouchers for free tickets! Find out more about Membership Benefits. *MEMBERS WITH SERIES VOUCHERS: Please note, Member Speaker Series Vouchers 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 vouchers. Your vouchers 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. |
Read about our virtual offering, called A VIRTUAL VIEWING. Watch a recording of the An Evening with... performances from the comfort of your home with our Virtual Viewing program. One week after the live performance, Virtual Viewing ticket holders will be emailed a link to watch the recording using an “On Demand” webinar format. Participants can watch the recording on the day of the virtual viewing at any time that is convenient for them. The link will work for 24 hours and will only permit a single viewing within that time frame. |
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. |
Purchase Tickets:
An Afternoon or Evening with... Steve Jobs
Tuesday, March 26th, 2pm and 7pm Location- Firehouse Arts Center A Virtual Viewing Tuesday, April 2nd, On Demand Webinar Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform “Think Different” was no grammatical error. The slogan was intended to inspire a mindset in the same way one might say “think big” or “eat smart.” In the world of Steve Jobs, stasis would be challenged and excelsior a road map. Home computing, communications, music listening and movie magic were all revolutionized along the way. In this program, Jeremy Meier portrays Jobs at the one-year anniversary of the iPhone in 2008 and reaches out toward the possibilities of what might come next.. Photo Credit: TJ Barney An Afternoon or Evening with... Clara Barton
Tuesday, April 16th, 2pm and 7pm Location- Firehouse Arts Center A Virtual Viewing Tuesday, April 23rd, On Demand Webinar Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform Clara Barton is one of the most famous women in the Civil War era. As a teacher, battlefield nurse, lecturer, and president of the American Red Cross, Barton served her nation and her community, tirelessly dedicating her life to voluntary service. The program takes place in the year 1891 when Miss Barton, played by Karen Vuranch, has just built her home, and new headquarters for the newly formed American Red Cross, near a Chautauqua community. You will hear her tell her story of working as a teacher, nursing on the battlefield, and founding the American Red Cross. |
An Afternoon or Evening with... Coretta Scott King
Tuesday, May 14th, 2pm and 7pm Location- Firehouse Arts Center A Virtual Viewing Tuesday, May 21st, On Demand Webinar Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform Coretta Scott King, a political activist in her own right, played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement. In partnership with her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. throughout the 1950s and 1960s, she assisted in the planning of marches, boycotts, and speeches all over the country, sometimes standing in for her husband. Coretta Scott King, an accomplished singer, put her musical background to the service of the Civil Rights Movement, creating and performing a series of critically acclaimed Freedom Concerts, combining poetry, narration, and music to tell the story of the Civil Rights Movement. Chautauqua scholar Rebecca Jimerson will portray King. |
An Afternoon or Evening with... Junko Tabei
Tuesday, June 4th, 2pm and 7pm Location- Firehouse Arts Center A Virtual Viewing Tuesday, June 11th, On Demand Webinar Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform Junko Tabei, the first woman to climb to the top of Mt. Everest and the Seven Summits, has come to address American audiences about her work with the Fukushima Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Programs. She will recount her life growing up in Fukushima and her early years as a world class mountain climber, which led to her successful ascent to the summit of Mt. Everest. In 1975, it was a daunting challenge for a woman to get to the top of Everest. But this ordinary Japanese housewife learned long ago, “you can get there if you go step by step.” Chautauqua scholar Bowen Lee will bring Tabei to the Pleasanton stage. |
An Afternoon or Evening with... Pan Am "Betty"
MATINEE SOLD OUT ONLINE-- CALL FOR TICKETS EVENING LIMITED TICKETS LEFT Tuesday, July 23rd, 2pm and 7pm Location- Firehouse Arts Center A Virtual Viewing Tuesday, July 30th, On Demand Webinar Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform Fasten your uniform buttons and get ready to travel back to the golden age of air travel. In the 1960s, when jets were new, the stewardess was an all-American fantasy: hostess, nurse, cook, therapist and even sex symbol. Leslie Goddard, Ph.D. will share the exciting, true story about the real-life stewardesses for Pan Am, the most glamorous U.S. airline. Buckle up – this is one flight you won’t forget. |
An Afternoon or Evening with... Ernest Shackleton
Tuesday, August 13th, 2pm and 7pm Location- Firehouse Arts Center A Virtual Viewing Tuesday, August 20th, On Demand Webinar Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform Between 1901 and 1921, Sir Ernest Shackleton led three expeditions to Antarctica. Yet his Endurance expedition is renowned as “the most glorious of failures.” Shackleton demonstrated courage, resilience, and leadership in the face of overwhelming natural obstacles. His stories offer what he described as “a view into the naked soul of man.” Come and see Doug Mishler portray the explorer. |
An Afternoon or Evening with... Edith Galt Wilson
Tuesday, September 17th, 2pm and 7pm Location- Firehouse Arts Center A Virtual Viewing Tuesday, September 24th, On Demand Webinar Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform Edith Galt Wilson was the second wife of Woodrow Wilson, and some considered her as the first woman President. In his second term, Wilson suffered a stroke which paralyzed his left side. Despite pressure to the contrary, Edith insisted he didn’t resign, fearing he’d lose his greatest incentive for recovery-- his dream of a League of Nations. WWI had just ended and Edith was in charge. Actress Gay Storm portrays Wilson. |
An Afternoon or Evening with... Kasturba Gandhi
Tuesday, October 8th, 2pm and 7pm Location- Firehouse Arts Center A Virtual Viewing Tuesday, October 15th, On Demand Webinar Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform Kasturba Gandhi was much more than the silent partner of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of modern India and inspiration for the civil rights movement. Though she was his supportive wife for 6 decades, she was also an activist in her own right. Chautauqua scholar Roopa Mohan will bring Kasturba to life, capturing her trials and triumphs in her journey from child bride to freedom fighter, in South Africa and India. |
An Afternoon or Evening with... Benjamin O. Davis Jr
Tuesday, November 19th, 2pm and 7pm Location- Firehouse Arts Center A Virtual Viewing Tuesday, November 26th, On Demand Webinar Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform Feared by Nazis and loved by U.S. bomber crews in WWII, the Tuskegee Airmen were an all African American squadron of fighter pilots. Led by Commander Benjamin O. Davis Jr., the 99th squadron and 332nd Fighter group dominated the skies with their red tails. James Armstead will portray this four-star general. |
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 [email protected].
the Director of Education at (925) 462-2766 or [email protected].