The 2023 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 2023 season is in-person at the Firehouse Arts Center, but we will still have a virtual option. Continue reading for more details!
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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 2023 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 (education@museumonmain.org) or phone (925)462-2766 during the 24 hour viewing window. Member Benefits!
Members of Museum on Main receive discounted ticket rates and passes 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. |
Covid Protocols: At this time, and things can change, proof of vaccination is not required to attend the live performances at the Firehouse Arts Center. We are encouraging attendees to check the Ed Kinney Speaker Series page, before each show, for the most accurate information on current Covid Protocols. 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 new 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. |
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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, Alameda County Arts Commission ARTSFUND, California Humanities National Endowment for the Humanities Best Western Plus Pleasanton Inn Your Town Monthly |
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Purchase Tickets:
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An Afternoon or Evening with... Golda Meir
Tuesday, January 10, 2pm and 7pm Location- Firehouse Arts Center A Virtual Viewing Tuesday, January 17th, On Demand Webinar Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform Golda Meir was a politician who played an integral role in the development of Israel and leading her country during the Yom Kippur War of 1973. As the fourth Prime Minister of Israel and the third woman in the world to ever hold the position of prime minister, Golda Meir led with gravitas, intelligence, and determination in times of war and peace. Educator and historical impressionist Peter Small will perform as Golda Meir. An Afternoon or Evening with... Frederick Douglass
Tuesday, February 7th, 2pm and 7pm Location- Firehouse Arts Center A Virtual Viewing Tuesday, February 14th, On Demand Webinar Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform Frederick Douglass was an American icon of the 19th Century. He was an escaped slave who rose to be a leader of the abolitionist movement, a gifted speaker for his causes on both sides of the Atlantic who recruited British support for the anti-slavery cause, and an adviser to six presidents. Chautauqua scholar Jim Armstead will bring Douglass to the Pleasanton stage. |
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An Afternoon or Evening with... Robert F. Kennedy
Tuesday, March 28th, 2pm and 7pm Location- Firehouse Arts Center A Virtual Viewing Tuesday, April 4th, On Demand Webinar Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform It is May 31st, 1968. Since mid-March, Robert Kennedy has toured the country, seeking support in his pursuit of the Democratic nomination for the Presidency. His campaign has gained momentum and now he pursues a historic win in California. Come hear his passionate views on the state of our country, its place in the world, and our arc toward the future. Chautauqua scholar Jeremy Meier will portray Robert Kennedy. |
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An Afternoon or Evening with... Nikola Tesla
Tuesday, April 18th, 2pm and 7pm Location- Firehouse Arts Center A Virtual Viewing Tuesday, April 25th, On Demand Webinar Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform Forgotten to history, a scientist whose discoveries transformed the landscape of human evolution. A man whose dream was to provide unlimited free energy to the world. His name was Nikola Tesla and he was the “Master of Lightning.” Actor Duffy Hudson will perform as the great inventor Nikola Tesla. |
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An Afternoon or Evening with... Robert Frost
Tuesday, May 9th, 2pm and 7pm Location- Firehouse Arts Center A Virtual Viewing Tuesday, May 16th, On Demand Webinar Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform Robert Frost: Light and Dark shares the stories behind Frost's work, along with some of his most popular poems. Actor J.T. Turner brings the San Francisco born poet to life in a deeply moving and intimate portrayal of a man who achieved unparalleled success as a poet despite episodes of great personal tragedy. |
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An Afternoon or Evening with... Alice Paul
Tuesday, June 13, 2pm and 7pm Location- Firehouse Arts Center A Virtual Viewing Tuesday, June 20th, On Demand Webinar Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform In this living-history portrayal, actress and scholar Leslie Goddard, Ph.D., portrays suffragist Alice Paul, one of the most dynamic leaders in the fight to win votes for women. An innovative and tireless worker, Paul arranged parades, organized the first picketing demonstrations outside the White House, lobbied politicians, and endured imprisonment for women’s suffrage. |
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An Afternoon or Evening with... Cass Elliot
Tuesday, July 25th, 2pm and 7pm Location- Firehouse Arts Center A Virtual Viewing Tuesday, August 1st, On Demand Webinar Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform Turn back the clock to the 1960s as Karen Vuranch presents a storytelling performance of Cass Elliot. Elliot was one of singers in the iconic 1960s band the Mamas and the Papas. Known for her sense of humor and optimism, she was considered by many to be the most charismatic member of the group. |
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An Afternoon or Evening with... Chuck Yeager
Tuesday, August 15th, 2pm and 7pm Location- Firehouse Arts Center A Virtual Viewing Tuesday, August 22nd, On Demand Webinar Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform Chuck Yeager was always irritated by the question “do you have the right stuff,” but the answer was obvious. The “right stuff” was seen in Yeager being a double ace in WWII, or when he was chased across the Pyrenees by Nazis. For most people Chuck’s “right stuff” was most conspicuous during his years as a test pilot when he shattered the unbreakable sound barrier. Chautauqua scholar Doug Mishler will portray the pilot. |
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An Afternoon or Evening with... Ernie Pyle
Tuesday, September 19th, 2pm and 7pm Location- Firehouse Arts Center A Virtual Viewing Tuesday, September 26th, On Demand Webinar Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform It can be argued that the individual who best personifies the essential spirit and drama of the Greatest Generation is Ernie Pyle. Pyle is so significant not because he was an exceptional man, but rather because he was an ordinary man caught up in an extraordinary time. He was not a brilliant military leader, nor a statesman, nor even an insightful social critic or luminous writer. A college dropout, Pyle’s only passion was to report on the American people. His only ability was to write Spartan clear prose that succinctly captured the American character. His articles are full of the pathos, joy, and struggle of everyday life that marked America between 1927 and 1945. Ernie created vivid columns by a truly unique reporting style, glimpsing great and common events but always through the lives of ordinary people. His powerful and gritty “bottom-up” style deftly illuminated the American character under the duress of the Depression, the Dust Bowl, and a World War. Ernie perfectly chronicled everyday life of his time., as no one else did. While other writers offer a wide-angle view of history, Ernie offers a stunningly brutal close-up. |
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An Afternoon or Evening with... Mary Shelley
Tuesday, October 3rd, 2pm and 7pm Location- Firehouse Arts Center A Virtual Viewing Tuesday, October 10th, On Demand Webinar Location- BigMarker Webinar Platform Teen-age mother, behind-the-scenes supporter of social reform, romantic, and scholar, English writer Mary Shelley may be best known as the author of Frankenstein. See how Shelley painted her own personal experience with a vivid imagination to build this original and enduring work of science fiction. Scholar and storyteller Susan Marie Frontczak will perform as Shelley. |
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.