After more than five years of planning and 25 months of construction, representatives of Brannan Center announced that the new non-profit community space and performing arts venue will celebrate its grand opening, marking the culmination of an ambitious adaptive restoration of the 150-year-old former Community Presbyterian Church building into a multi-purpose, state-of-the-art gathering place and events venue.

Brannan Center’s grand opening weekend will commence with a private opening for donors and other key stakeholders on Friday, October 3, followed by a free community open house on Saturday, October 4. The community open house will feature tours of the new facility, rotating performances by local arts groups and artists, information and interactive activities hosted by local non-profit organizations, as well as food trucks and family-friendly activities, inviting residents and visitors alike to experience the full scope of the center’s potential. The celebrations continue with ticketed performances on the evening of Saturday, October 4 and the afternoon of Sunday, October 5, highlighting the Center’s mission to elevate and showcase regional performing talent. A full line-up of participating artists and organizations, as well as ticket information for the performances will be announced at a later date. Brannan Center’s grand opening weekend is sponsored, in part, by the Calistoga Lodging Community.

“This milestone is not just the opening of a building-it’s the beginning of a new chapter for the Upper Valley,” said Kyle Clausen, Executive Director of Brannan Center. He continued, “We look forward to being a home for a wide range of community activities, performances, and important life events such as weddings and quinceañeras. With nearly 11,000 square feet of flexible space, Brannan Center will have something to offer for everyone.”

Brannan Center has been made possible through the incredible generosity of nearly 300 donors who have contributed more than $11.5 million dollars towards construction, start-up operations, and long-term sustainability. The lead donors to the project are Edward & Sara Kozel, Calistoga residents who have long-dreamed of helping create a resource like Brannan Center in their community.

“We are firm believers in the power of the performing arts to bring people together, spark joy, and help strengthen our common humanity, and we know that Brannan Center will be a vibrant gathering place for everyone in our community,” noted Sara. Edward added, “We also see the importance of increasing opportunities for youth and teens to learn and participate in the arts, and this will be a core goal of Brannan Center.”

Brannan Center is designed by architect Timothy Wilkes with Dick Engelhard serving as construction project manager, Barbara Lencioni serving as chief financial officer, and Paul Coates serving as general contractor.

Brannan Center’s Founder’s Circle is comprised of its founding board members: Jim & Bev Barnes, Anne Carver, Dick & Edie Engelhard, Edward & Sara Kozel, Barbara Lencioni, and Timothy Wilkes. Brannan Center is currently governed by a 15-member Board of Directors comprised of Jim & Bev Barnes, Chris Canning, Aime Dunstan, Dick & Edie Engelhard, Marcela Hernandez, Edward & Sara Kozel, Barbara Lencioni, Indira Lopez-Jones, Braulio Muñoz, Gregory Newhall, Erin Smith-Hagberg, and Timothy Wilkes.

“Experiencing the arts and having a place for the community to restore fellowship is key to survival,” said Muñoz, of St. Helena. “Brannan Center will connect the entire UpValley and beyond for all of us to gather and become one. I love being part of this community project, and I invite you all to join this dream. See you soon at Brannan Center!”

Community members are encouraged to visit www.BrannanCenter.org to sign-up for the email list to receive news and information, including announcements of programming and more details about the grand opening.

In addition, Brannan Center is now accepting inquiries from individuals and groups who are interested in renting space for their activities, from educators who are interested in teaching classes or workshops at Brannan Center, from artists who are interested in performing at Brannan Center, and from individuals who are interested in volunteering at Brannan Center. Information on these opportunities can be found at www.BrannanCenter.org.

With the rich history of its building and renewed purpose as a community, event, and arts space, Brannan Center promises to be a vibrant cultural anchor for decades to come.