Avalon Foundation outlines expanded arts programming, school visits and partnerships in Talbot County
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Summary
Al Bond, executive director of the Avalon Foundation, described a year of growth for the Avalon: its largest plein air festival to date, new booking software and staff, expanded children’s programming with Talbot County Public Schools, street concerts including military bands, and a food partnership with Ava's Pizza.
Al Bond, executive director of the Avalon Foundation, told the Rabbi's Roundtable that the theater and foundation are in a period of growth, citing the largest plein air festival in the foundation's recent fiscal year and plans for plein air number 22 this summer.
"Our fiscal year starts in July," Bond said, adding that the organization has recruited new staff, implemented new scheduling and financial software to coordinate bookings and volunteer schedules, and expanded concessions through a partnership with Ava's Pizza and donated coffee from Rise Up.
Bond described children's programming efforts that bring each grade in Talbot County Public Schools to a theater performance; he noted the theater's capacity is about 400 and that the program schedules roughly seven school visits this year. Bond also highlighted plans for 10 street concerts during the season, with multiple military bands expected to appear.
He said the Avalon produces roughly 160 shows a year and serves as a venue for about 30 other local nonprofits to hold events. Bond credited a recent staff reorganization for helping manage growth following long-time staff transitions.
The Avalon updates and programming announcements were presented on the Rabbi's Roundtable broadcast from the MCTV studio in the Avalon Theater basement in Easton.