FAQ

 

  • What’s a “listening room”?
  • How do I get tickets?
  • How do I reserve seats?
  • Is there a dress code?
  • Can I take pictures and get autographs and stuff?
  • Are you pet-friendly?
  • Are you kid-friendly?
  • Where can I park when I get there?
  • Is it handicap accessible?
  • Can I BYOB?
  • Where can I nosh and/or libate before and/or after?
  • Where can I stay?
  • History of 33 Bridge Street
  • 33 Bridge Street today
  • Renting the performance space
  • Are Stage 33 Live and WOOL-FM the same thing?
  • I’ve got a great idea for Stage 33 Live!
  • How can I volunteer?
  • I am still bewildered by Stage 33 Live

    What’s a “listening room”?

    It’s a place where people come to be immersed in what’s happening on the stage.

    Talking or being loud or otherwise disruptive during a performance or presentation is disrespectful to the rest of the audience and the artist, and will earn glares and shushes. Do send a gentle shush at anybody who needs it — and if you get a gentle shush, gently shush. People usually aren’t problem-causers on purpose.

    This kind of thing isn’t for everybody. Some people are happier in a bar scene, and that’s OK. There are bars within easy walking distance.

    We’re not a bunch of dour schoolmarms though. Reward a performance with great exuberance, absolutely! Was that solo outstanding? — cheer like crazy! Was that joke funny? Laugh your head off! (Was that joke lame? Groan long and loud.) Band wants you to clap along, sing along? Go for it with gusto, even if you’re off-tempo and out of tune.

    But in general, you’re not who everybody came to listen to.

     

    How do I get tickets?

    Most shows are ticketed, some are by donation — the difference is semantic, really, they both work the same. Advance tickets are only available through our website, and only through the end the day before the show or when they’re sold out, whichever comes first. Advance tickets / donations double as chair reservations. We have 40 chairs. We rarely sell out, but it happens. We can’t guarantee seating for tickets purchased / donations made at the door.

    There are no actual tickets — we keep a list at the door, somebody will check you in. You don’t have to print anything out. Just show up.

    All sales are final, but if a show gets cancelled or postponed, we’ll offer refunds or a carry-over to the new date or a comparable substitute show at your preference.

    Do we take credit cards at the door? We don’t. Cash preferred, check if need be.

    We recognize that not everybody has a credit or debit card, and that some people don’t do online purchases just because. If this is you and you want to make sure you have seating, leave us a phone or text message at 802-289-0148 or send us an email at stage33@stage33live.com and we’ll figure something out.

    We work with the artists to set ticket prices or suggested donation amounts to 1) keep the prices as low as possible, and 2) try to compensate them reasonably, which they deserve. All workers deserve fair pay for their work. All artists are workers.

     

    How do I reserve seats?

    There are no specifically reserved seats, but there aren’t any bad seats. Come a little early to get your choice.

    We have 40 chairs — they’re those classic padded red-leatherette cafe chairs. We’ll only ever sell 40 advance tickets or accept 40 advance donations. There’s also limited standing room. If you want to bring your own camp chair, that’s OK.

    The door opens 30 minutes before showtime.

     

    Is there a dress code?

    Clothes and shoes. Leave anything with harassing, demeaning, intimidating, or threatening messaging at home. Weapons too. Just don’t be a dick, K? Also the inverse corollary, which is don’t be a weenie either.

    (There haven’t been any problems BTW, not a single one. Everybody’s been so awesome. But the world seems to be spiraling into ever-more-nutso territory so spelling out the expectations is probably a good idea.)

     

    Can I take pictures and get autographs and stuff?

    Cellphone pics and clips are pretty much fine, but definitely no flash. If the artist doesn’t want any photography or like-that at all, we’ll advise with as much notice as possible… but that’s never happened yet. If you’re bringing pro gear you probably should check with the artist, just because. If you get some good shots, they (and we) would love it if you share them with us.

    We totally encourage people to linger after the show and hobnob! Everyone we’ve hosted has so far been super-willing to meet-and-greet, and lots of them have merch for sale that they’re happy to sign.

     

    Are you pet-friendly?

    Only service animals, out of courtesy to the rest of the audience and the performers who might have allergies or phobias.

    A note for people with allergies or phobias: One of the artist-tenants has a studio cat, and a couple others bring their dogs to work sometimes. These animals don’t roam the building, but they’re in the building either part-time or full-time.

    For those with severe MCS or scent allergies, you should know that there’s an artisan soapmaker in the building.

    Are you kid-friendly?

    We like kiddos, but this is a listening room where consideration of the performers and the rest of the audience is paramount. Squalling babies and ADHD ankle-biters — and disruptive adults — are a poor fit.

     

    Where can I park when I get there?

    There’s free parking in the lot diagonally across the street from us, next to the canal. Best not to park at the building right across the street because they might make you move your car in the middle of a show. It’s happened.

     

    Is it handicap accessible?

    Posted handicap parking is at the base of the ramp leading to the front door. There’s a door threshold to negotiate getting into the building, but everything inside is flat. Our chairs aren’t permanent, so people in wheelchairs can sit anywhere they want. The restroom adjoins the space and is accessible.

    If you’re a performer with disabilities that prevent you from getting onto our low stage (about 8″), we can move the audience back and have you in front of the stage. We’ve done it, it works fine.

    These things only address physical handicaps. If we could, we’d totally offer ASL interpretation, assistive listening devices, audio descriptions of visual elements, large-print and braille media, all the things. If you have any need, please contact us and we’ll try our level best.

    For those with severe MCS or scent allergies, you should know that there’s an artisan soapmaker in the building.

    Can I BYOB?

    No. (Refer to the 33 Bridge Street House Rules that we need to abide by.) You can bring in your own food though.

     

    Where can I nosh and/or libate before and/or after?

    There’s a range of choices walkable from our place. Business hours aren’t noted here because they sometimes change arbitrarily. Several don’t have websites (!), but most do have some kind of online presence — Facebook, Google, Yelp, etc. There’s a couple good breakfast/lunch-only places included because sometimes we have matinees. This presentation isn’t an endorsement. In order of distance from Stage 33 Live:

    Subway, 61 Square (closed, then got new owners, then closed again, but may be reopened now)
    ubiquitous chain restaurant
    2-minute walk, 450 feet
    subway.com 802-463-4101

    Flat Iron Co-op, 51 Square
    coffeeshop with baked goods & wraps, beer & wine
    3-minute walk, .1 mile
    flatironcoop.com 802-732-8371

    Ciao Popolo, 36 Square
    modern Italian restaurant & bar
    4-minute walk, .1 mile
    popolomeanspeople.com 802-460-7676

    Wunderbar, 22 Rockingham St
    surprisingly urbane bar with Tapas menu
    4-minute walk, .2 mile
    wunderbarvt.com 802-489-0289

    Moon Dog Cafe, 24 Rockingham St
    healthy, hearty breakfast and lunch
    4-minute walk, .2 mile
    802-732-8453

    Rockingham Roasters, 3 Rockingham St
    coffeeshop with baked goods and some heartier fare
    4-minute walk, .2 mile
    rockinghamroasters.coffee

    Donovan’s, 65 Rockingham St
    Irish bar with bar food
    5-minute walk, .3 mile
    802-463-4940

    Miss Bellows Falls, 90 Rockingham St (closed but on track to re-open sometime)
    breakfast and lunch diner
    6-minute walk, .3 mile

    PK’s Irish Pub, 113 Rockingham St
    Irish bar with bar food
    7-minute walk, .4 mile
    pksirishpub.com 802-463-9007

    Pizza Palace, 111 Rockingham St
    pizza & comfort food
    7-minute walk, .4 mile
    pizzapalacevt.com 802-463-4447

    Athens Pizza, 83 Westminster St
    pizza & comfort food
    8-minute walk, .4 mile
    athenspizzaonline.com 802-463-9777

    China Garden, 117 Rockingham St (currently take-out only)
    standard Chinese takeout
    8-minute walk, .4 mile
    chinagardenvt.com 802-463-9885

    Dari-Joy, 140 Rockingham St
    comfort food & ice cream – seasonal
    11-minute walk, .5 mile
    802-463-9816

    Famous Pizza, 89 Atkinson St
    pizza & comfort food
    13-minute walk, .6 mile
    802-463-3425

    Convenience store that keeps changing owners and names, 154 Rockingham St
    Was a 7-11, still like a 7-11
    13-minute walk, .6 mile
    7-eleven.com 802-732-8290

    Lisai’s Corner Deli, 92 Atkinson St
    deli and groceries, breakfast / lunch
    13-minute walk, .6 mile
    802-732-8052

    Here are a few more that are a little bit farther afield that you’d probably wanna drive to.

    Joy Wah, 287 Rockingham St
    fancier Chinese
    1.5 miles
    joywahrestaurant.com 802-463-9761

    Father’s, 7079 US-5
    American diner fare
    1.9 miles
    802-463-3909

    Tasty Butt’s, 7079 US-5
    Barbecue
    1.9 miles
    802-463-3909

    Leslie’s Tavern, 660 Rockingham Rd
    sit-down dining, get reservations
    3 miles
    lesliestavern.com 802-275-7809

    The Hungry Diner, 9 Edwards Ln, Walpole
    comfort food
    3.5 miles
    hungrydinerwalpole.com 603-756-3444

    The Restaurant at Burdicks, 47 Main St, Walpole
    sit-down French, make reservations
    5.3 miles
    47mainwalpole.com 603-756-9058

     

    Where can I stay? (B&Bs, hotels, camping)

    Want to make a weekend of it? Good call. The nearest population centers to us are Brattleboro VT and Keene NH (either is about 30 minutes’ drive) and they have bunches of options that you can Google up. The lovely village of Chester VT (20 minutes) has quite a cluster as well. Here’s a starter list of ones nearby to check out. This presentation isn’t an endorsement. In order of distance from Stage 33 Live:

    Harvest Barn Inn, 16 Webb Terrace
    harvestbarninn.com 802-732-8254
    1.6 miles

    Rodeway Inn, 593 Rockingham Rd
    802-463-4536
    2.8 miles

    Bellows Walpole Inn, 297 Main St, Walpole NH
    bellowswalpoleinn.com 603-756-3320, 603-904-4022
    4.1 miles

    Saxtons River Inn, 27 Main St, Saxtons River VT
    saxtonsriverinn.com 802-869-3033
    4.8 miles

    The Inn at Valley Farms, 633 Wentworth Rd, Walpole NH
    innatvalleyfarms.com 603-756-2855
    9.2 miles

    Best Western, 818 Charlestown Rd, Springfield VT
    802-885-4516
    11 miles

    Grafton Inn, 92 Main St, Grafton VT
    graftoninnvermont.com 802-843-2248
    12.1 miles

    Hartness House, 30 Orchard St, Springfield VT
    hartnesshouseinn.com 802-885-2115
    14.9 miles

    Tree Farm Campground, 53 Skitchewaug Trl, Springfield VT
    treefarmcampground.com 802-885-2889
    14.9 miles

    The Putney Inn, 57 Putney Landing Rd, Putney VT
    putneyinn.com 802-536-4200
    15.1 miles

     

    History of 33 Bridge Street

    33 Bridge Street in Bellows Falls, Vermont, is the building that Stage 33 Live calls home. It’s on the National Register of Historic Places.

    The Moore and Thompson mill complex occupies a sloping site at the south end of the Island, immediately east of downtown Bellows Falls between the Great Falls of the Connecticut River and the canal (one of the first canals in the United States, completed in 1802). Construction of the mill complex began in 1880.

    By the turn of the century, Moore and Thompson produced twenty tons of paper daily. The mill played a leading role in the industry that dominated Bellows Falls’ economy through the 1920s.

    In 1914, Moore and Thompson leased water rights from the canal to the Bellows Falls Electric Company. In exchange, the paper company received electricity. The complex is still directly hydro-powered under the terms of that lease.

    The principal building on the upper level — where Stage 33 Live is located — was completed in 1925 for the manufacture of paper bags.

    In 1963, Moore and Thompson closed the mill. They attributed it to a variety of factors, but a Bellows Falls Times editorial at the time indicated that the company had simply joined the contemporary industrial exodus from New England’s antiquated infrastructure: “New plant facilities and machinery and ample supplies of wood pulp make the Florida plant more economical.”

    An attempt by a new owner at reviving the production of paper goods followed in 1964 but didn’t outlast the decade.

    In 1974, the complex was adapted to the manufacture of furniture and experienced a revival of activity until the failure of that venture in 1981.

     

    33 Bridge Street today

    33 Bridge Street is a creative economy incubator owned and operated by The Island Corporation. The tenants are primarily fine artists and artisan manufacturers. Direct inquiries to The Island Corporation by phone at 802-463-9926.

    Current tenants who are open to the public either by posted hours or by appointment include:
    Sherwin Art Glass
    Kekic Glass
    Charlie Hunter
    Grace and Miss Mouse Soaps
    Gail Hynes Photography
    WOOL-FM

     

    Renting the performance space

    The performance space is in a common area shared by the building tenants, and Stage 33 Live operates in full cooperation with and at the prior approval of the building owners, managers, and tenants. We have no sublet authority — all use inquiries must be presented to The Island Corporation by phone at 802-463-9333.

    For your convenience and reference, here are the building’s house rules:

    The common room at 33 Bridge Street is for the use and enjoyment of 33 Bridge Street tenants. Any use must not interfere with any of the other tenants’ use of the space, and must be cleared by management and with the other tenants prior to the use. From time to time, non-tenants are allowed to use the space. All tenant and non-tenant use must comply with these restrictions:

    1. Any requests for use of the Common Room for tenant or non-tenant exhibits, activities, receptions, etc., MUST be scheduled in advance with Dorothy Read, 802-463-9333.
    2. Exhibitors will be asked to sign an indemnification form. This is an unguarded space and open to the public. 33 Bridge Street, The Island Corporation, and the tenants assume no responsibility.
    3. Commercial exhibitors may be asked to contribute a 10% fee on any sales. This fee would be used to support a local non-profit.
    4. Children also use this space, and any work will be reviewed for appropriateness for all ages. No nude exhibitions, etc.
    5. All exhibits, shows, receptions, etc., must keep lanes of travel open to the tenants.
    6. No exclusive use of the space is to be expected unless cleared with the building owners and the tenants.
    7. Handicapped parking must be kept clear.
    8. All fire exits must remain clear.
    9. Any organization NOT a legal tenant of 33 Bridge Street must provide proof of liability insurance.
    10. Any hanging artwork must use the provided rail system. No nail holes allowed, and absolutely nothing hanging from the ceilings, sprinkler pipes, lighting fixtures, etc.
    11. All materials must be removed by the day agreed, and space left clean.
    12. NO SMOKING is allowed anywhere in the building.
    13. NO ALCOHOL will be served at any event unless approved by management AND provided only by a licensed alcohol vendor. No private pouring. No BYOB.

     

    Are Stage 33 Live and WOOL-FM the same thing?

    No, but we’re friends and neighbors. Stage 33 Live was founded by a longtime volunteer at Black Sheep Radio (the community radio station, 91.5 on your FM dial or streaming from www.wool.fm), and they’re both in the same building… but they’re distinct and separate legal entities, with their own boards, charters, missions, equipment, and finances.

     

    I’ve got a great idea for Stage 33 Live!

    Totally wanna hear it! There’s always room for improvement. The more details you’ve got worked out, the better. Please understand, though, that we’re mere humans already doing the very best full-tilt flat-out volunteer work we can do. Would you perhaps be willing to take on the execution of your idea? That would be ideal. In most cases if there’s more than a sliver of time or energy or dollars involved and it can’t be easily folded into the existing flow of things, chances are it’ll probably end up pretty far down the list. Plus the limits of what we’re allowed to do in and to the real estate are restrictive… we can’t paint day-glo murals on the walls or anything.

     

    How can I volunteer?

    Heck, just ask. We can usually use at least a couple extra people on show days to help before, during, and after with pretty easy stuff. We kindly ask that if you do volunteer, please show up and please actually help. (Yeah, it’s been a problem once or twice.)

     

    I am still bewildered by Stage 33 Live

    Us too, a lot of the time.

    We were tickled when we saw this social-media exchange:
       “WTF is Stage 33 Live?”
       “It’s a secret room where amazing things happen.”

    We’re an occasional venue, and not a full-time anything. We try to go above and beyond, but we’re in no danger of being mistaken for a big-dollar performance center. There’s no bar, BYOB isn’t allowed, and there’s no kitchen — but there’s non-alcoholic drinks and unpredictable, generally unhealthy processed snacks available by donation. We operate on a shoestring but have accomplished one heckuva lot since push-starting this thing. We can squeeze a penny like nobody’s business.

    Our main mission is trying to help local and regional performers and presenters find attentive and appreciative audiences; and our second main mission is to offer Bellows Falls people (and anybody else who wants to come to shows) a range of good and good-hearted talent; and our third main mission is to contribute to lifting up, in our own small way, the reputation and visibility of Bellows Falls and the mid-Connecticut River Valley as a cool and talented and smart place to come and check out and drop a few bucks into the local economy.

    What those things have in common is that they ain’t about us. There are lots of reasons to visit this area, we’re just one of them. Here’s a list of performance centers and theater groups within 25 driving miles of Stage 33 Live. We’ve kept the list mostly to nonprofits. A few are backed by big money, but most struggle. Art galleries aren’t included in this list, or clubs and bars where performance is an add-on rather than the main thing… but those are definitely around too. Libraries with active schedules are included because libraries are cool. There’s undoubtedly deserving places we’ve overlooked. And there are places that fall just outside our arbitrary 25-mile cutoff, but a line’s gotta be drawn somewhere. The list is in order of driving distance from Stage 33 Live.

    Bellows Falls Opera House
    facebook.com/BFOperaHouse/
    7 The Square, Bellows Falls VT
    0.2 mile

    Rockingham Free Public Library
    rockinghamlibrary.org
    65 Westminster St, Bellows Falls VT
    0.3 mile

    Main Street Arts
    mainstreetarts.org
    35 Main St, Saxtons River VT
    4.8 miles

    The Springfield Community Players
    springfieldcommunityplayers.org
    165 South St, Springfield VT
    14.6 miles

    Putney Public Library
    putneylibrary.org
    55 Main St, Putney VT
    14.9 miles

    Yellow Barn
    yellowbarn.org
    49 Main St, Putney VT
    14.9 miles

    Next Stage Arts Project
    nextstagearts.org
    15 Kimball Hill, Putney VT
    15.3 miles

    Sandglass Theater
    sandglasstheater.org
    17 Kimball Hill, Putney VT
    15.4 miles

    Claremont Opera House
    claremontoperahouse.info
    58 Opera House Square, Claremont NH
    20.9 miles

    World Under Wonder
    worldunderwonder.org
    5755 US-5, Windsor VT
    20.9 miles

    Keene Public Library
    3 Washington St, Keene NH
    keenepubliclibrary.org
    21.5 miles

    The Colonial Theatre
    95 Main St, Keene NH
    thecolonial.org
    21.6 miles

    Brooks Memorial Library
    brookslibraryvt.org
    224 Main St, Brattleboro VT
    23.4 miles

    Stone Church Brattleboro
    stonechurchvt.com
    210 Main St, Brattleboro VT
    23.4 miles

    Epsilon Spires
    epsilonspires.org
    190 Main St, Brattleboro VT
    23.5 miles

    Redfern Arts Center
    229 Main St, Keene NH
    keene.edu/arts/redfern/
    23.6 miles

    Brattleboro Music Center
    72 Blanche Moyse Way, Brattleboro VT
    bmcvt.org
    24.2 miles

    118 Elliot
    118elliot.com
    118 Elliot St, Brattleboro VT
    24.8 miles

    New England Youth Theatre
    neyt.org
    100 Flat Street, Brattleboro VT
    24.8 miles

    Latchis Theatre
    50 Main St, Brattleboro VT
    latchis.com
    25 miles exactly

     

     

    This FAQ will be a work in progress forever. Feel free to hip us to the obvious things we missed. stage33@stage33live.com

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Stage 33 Live is run and done by volunteers, small donations, and little grants.
Extra hearty pats on the back lately to:


Run and done by volunteers stem to stern. Donations are what keep this thing going.
We squeeze every penny, and we'd be so happy to squeeze yours. Or @stage33live on paypal.me or venmo. Or drop off cash / checks at any event.
To send us anything by surface mail, contact us for the admin mailing address —
the venue does not receive postal service!

Tax deductible to the fullest extent. Stage 33 Live LTD is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, EIN 82-2349941.
Donated equipment or services are welcome, and volunteers too!


Stage 33 Live
33 Bridge Street, Bellows Falls VT
stage33@stage33live.com
www.stage33live.com
voice/text (802) 289-0148
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