Art And Culture
BY ISAIAH FRIZZELL
There’s no question about it. The Liberty Theater in Hailey has become the cultural heart of the Wood River Valley. Their experimental, no-holds-barred approach to bringing intriguing, fun, and often profound experiences is unmatched. Movies, live music and plays—most being local Idaho talent—fills a huge gap in our social scene and cultural milieu. We all remember the silence after so many places closed due to “the event” [COVID-19] but it’s the undeniable vibe of the theater itself with such colorful curation and prime collaborator programming to produce these events.
But, specifically, we’re speaking of Pete Vallimarescu, who has become a true Valley gem. We’ve written about Vallimarescu’s history here: https://woodriverweekly.com/index.php/2024/09/18/liberty-theater-as-go-to-venue/, focusing currently on his programming and open-book method for offering excitement. The Liberty Theater is approachable—high brow, low brow, you name it—and ALWAYS fresh. It’s not normal to have access to the wide range of experiences Vallimarescu, as managing programmer and occasional performer, brings to the Valley.
How and Why?
“It’s always hard. It’s a combination of so many different pieces. Bands that reach out to me and ask me if they can play shows here and me reaching out to bands I’d like to see, can they come to the Liberty? Right now, I’m lucky enough to grow up in a world where I know a lot of people in the arts—performers, artists, musicians, or whatever that might look like.” It’s in Vallimarescu’s voice, the passion.
“I was actually just chatting about this with one of the guys who was here recently, Nat Lefkoff. I’ve known him for maybe eight years, and he was saying that’s a big part of his life, right, connections and networking as a musician. To meet and connect with people who have the same vision and same goals.”
Community. This we know and live.
“And sometimes, as an artist, Lefkoff actually chooses not to take the standard touring route. He doesn’t do bigger tours with agents in music venues but tours he plans himself in houses, backyards and friends’ connections because they appreciate him as a musician, and want to provide this experience for people. A big part of what it is for me is to make those types of connections to bring unique moments.”
The Medium is the Message
“Those super-comfortable seats here are a blessing! Nat really had a great time, and really enjoyed playing here. He made a comment up on stage that there aren’t a lot of theaters like this left in the country. Said it was one of his favorite places he’s ever played. That was a really cool moment. There’s so many things about this place that just lend itself to hosting beautiful experiences.” You can hear the smile in Vallimarescu’s voice. The Liberty is absolutely unique and his mind fits into its curve like light through stained glass iconography.
And How!
“So Baye and Asa are two guys that I actually grew up playing sports with and singing a capella. They’re now big names in the New York City dance world and run their own dance company. They choreograph for tons of big names all over the country, including Alvin Ailey in New York. So they did their show, a live piece about masculinity. And then showed a 20-minute video about race with a Q&A with me on the stage, really fun. There were some really, really good questions from the audience. And one older gentleman asked how he could talk about this with his grandson. That question alone, to me, was worth bringing them into town. But, I mean there’s so many angles we invite, all sides of the fence.”
Sheer variety, profound moments and you never know what to expect except that it will be exciting, thought provoking and, most of all, fun. We currently have fewer public places to talk, ruminate and slide out of our everyday lives to splash into the novelty and the expression of others’. These events are ripe moments to open new pathways in our minds. Inspiration! Hurdy Gurdy Girls, Honky Tonk Zoo, so many great bands and a heavy metal night upcoming – Hellow headbangers!
The Great Outdoors
“Movies are such a great time. I figured we live in this valley for a reason, right? Almost everyone is here for the outdoors. I started with one called Real Rock last year, a climbing documentary series that I’d been to in the Bay Area and really enjoyed. So, why not? I showed one of those, and people said, ‘Hey, why don’t you show this one?’ Okay, let me look into that. Turns out there’s just kind of unlimited options at this point so, I’m building out an annual schedule. People can know, okay, this month, the super mountain bike film is coming, the fly fishing film, or the rock climbing film, whatever it might be.”
But It’s more than music and movies. At the beginning of June they hand off the space to The Liberty Theatre Company (a completely separate entity of playwrights and producers not connected to The Liberty Theater space itself) for the first six weeks of summer. Expect extraordinary plays from beloved names like Naomi McDougall Jones or David Janeski.
The Liberty Theater caters to such a beautiful variety of interests and elusive cultural architecture, it has become one of the hottest spots in the U.S. And here we have it in Blaine County, Idaho.
“I think this is true community and that’s all I’m really looking for. The train is moving and people are hopping onboard. It’s picking up momentum and I don’t think there’s any stopping!”
We’re lucky and blessed to have this venue, Vallimarescu and team.
Keep in tune by signing up to their newsletter at https://www.libertytheaterhailey.com/about. Follow on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thelibertytheater/# Want to put on a show? Vallimarescu is more than willing to make it happen: booking@libertytheaterhailey.com
