Landmarks of DeKalb County, Inc., a 501c3 organization founded in 1969 to preserve historic properties & records for future generations, is pleased to announce hiring an Artistic Director for the Fort Payne Opera House, Ms. Robin Black.
Robin Black is a Fort Payne native. Black studied musical theatre at Belmont University and vocal performance at Judson College. She has performed in and directed a variety of musical theater performances, including Bye Bye Birdy, A Chorus Line, and, most recently, Big River at the Theatre of Gadsden. She also directed and co-hosted Fort Payne Opera House’s summer series, The Boom Town Opry, in 2023. Black champions local youth musical education through her business, Robin Black Piano.
Building on the connections made through Boom Town Opry, Landmarks announces its latest event, the Downtown Fort Payne Ghost Walk. Local historians Bill Potter and Robin Black will lead tour groups through the Main Street district along Gault Avenue and beyond, highlighting local mysteries and mayhem from our city’s past. Potter founded the DeKalb County, Alabama Historical Group on Facebook, which connects over 17 thousand members to date through shared roots in DeKalb County. Potter was also a BTO Player [cast member] in 2023.
There will be 4 tours on each date:
Friday & Saturday, October 27, October 28, November 3, November 4 — 6:00 pm; 6:15 pm, 7:00 pm, 7:15 pm
Sunday, October 29 — 2:00 pm; 2:15 pm, 3:00 pm, 3:15 pm
The tour begins at the Fort Payne Hosiery Museum, which includes items from throughout DeKalb County’s past and present and ends at the historic Fort Payne Opera House. Built in 1889 during the coal & iron “Boom Days,” the Opera House has a few ghost stories of its own. Tickets are $10.00 each and may be purchased through Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/downtown-fort-payne-ghost-walk-tickets-728472810787 starting on October 2, 2023 at 10:00 am. A pre-purchased ticket will be required, and no sales will be made at the door. A device with a scannable QR code or printed ticket must be presented (a valid ID from the purchaser must be presented if the ticket is purchased and not presented). Friday & Saturday evening moonlight tours are recommended for adults only (no children under 12 permitted on these tours). Sunday’s afternoon daylight tours will be family-friendly and more accessible to those afraid of the dark (recommended for children 5 & up).
Landmarks will have light refreshments for an additional donation available before & after each tour. Looking forward, we will also be hosting Halloween at the Opera House, a FREE trick-or-treat event for all ages with photo-op, on October 31 from 5:00–8:00 pm Landmarks of DeKalb County’s Annual Meeting of the Members, a FREE event for members & friends with a guest speaker discussing a historical topic & refreshments, is Sunday, November 5 at 2:00 pm. We will welcome An Evening with Sean of the South: Sean Dietrich on November 18 at 5:30 pm, and we will host Christmas at the Opera House on December 2 at 5:30 pm with featured performer KB Solomon and friends. For more information about our upcoming events and projects, follow Landmarks of DeKalb County, Inc. on Facebook & Instagram or Fort Payne Opera House on Facebook.