Vaudeville in Minnesota

2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount

$483

Project of

Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative Legacy Grant SFY 2012 - SFY 2013

Fund Source

Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund

Recipient Type

Libraries

Status

Completed

Start Date

January 2012

End Date

January 2012

Activity Type

Education/Outreach/Engagement

Counties Affected

Watonwan

Project Overview

Michael Callahan, from the Nicollet County Historical Society, provided a historical look at the presence of vaudeville and its impact in Minnesota. Callahan gave a live performance of vaudeville magic routines. Callahan did mentalist tricks, card tricks, discussed how Houdini’s career was made in Minnesota, and tied things to local former vaudeville theaters.

Project Details

While we have held magic shows at the library, we have never held a vaudeville program. The name vaudeville drew an entirely different demographic than any magic show we’ve ever held. Only one child attended the program and she had never visited the library before. Attendance on January 26th at Watonwan County/St. James Library = 15.

Project Details: 2012 Fiscal Year

Legal Citation / Subdivision

Laws of Minnesota for 2011 Chapter 6, Article 4, Subdivision 4

2012 Fiscal Year Funding Amount

$483

Other Funds Leveraged

$431

Direct expenses

$914

Administration costs

$12

Number of full time equivalents funded

Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Participants will learn about vaudeville’s history in Minnesota. -- Participants will enjoy live magic tricks. -- Participants will check out vaudeville-related materials.

Measurable Outcome(s)

Here were the results of the evaluations: 1. Did you learn anything new about vaudeville tonight? If so, what most interested you? RESPONSE: Yes: 12 -- No: 0 -- The history of -- His acts -- The beginnings/Harry Houdini -- The hand is quicker than the eye / 2. Did you enjoy the live magic routines? -- RESPONSE: -- Yes: 14 -- No: --  -- Love them! / 3. Will you be checking out any of the Library’s movies featuring vaudeville stars (ex. Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Al Jolson)? -- RESPONSE: -- Yes: 4 -- No: 5 -- Maybe: 1 -- ?:3 -- Quite Possibly / 5. Where did you hear about this program? -- Library: 3 -- Library E-Newsletter: 2 -- Library website: -- Sign at local business/school: -- Friend/Relative: -- Newspaper article: 8 -- Newspaper ad: 4 -- Facebook: -- Library mailing: 1 -- Library event email: 1 -- Other:

Source of Additional Funds

Traverse des Sioux Library System and Michael Callahan, Nicollet County Historical Society. Partner Organization Contribution/Role in the Program: Michael Callahan, from the Nicollet County Historical Society, shared his knowledge of vaudeville and magic tricks.