Announcement Archive

These messages often go to Spam/Junk folders. Recent volunteers who missed the mailing, and use an acceptable address* for their PRESTO account, are asked to look outside their Inbox, before requesting another copy.

* Our scheduling program cannot send e-mail to MSN (such as Hotmail) or Apple addresses. More information --see "STILL RELEVANT".

FALL OPERA SEASON SIGNUPS (posted 7/1/25)

Scheduling for San Francisco Opera's 2025 Fall season will open on Friday, July 4, for ushers who volunteer most frequently, including for long runs.

On July 1, active volunteers with a PRESTO-compliant email address were sent a message with their start date. These messages sometimes go to a spam- or junk-mail folder; ushers can view their start date in their Registration Info form in PRESTO. The scheduling program is still unable to send e-mail to MSN (such as Hotmail) or Apple addresses. More information is below--see "STILL RELEVANT".

SF OPERA SEASON SIGNUPS (posted 5/9/25)

Scheduling for San Francisco Opera's 2025 summer season opened on Friday, May 9 for ushers who volunteered most frequently, especially for long runs. Signups start later for those who helped out less often.

On May 6, active volunteers with a PRESTO-usable email address were sent a message with their starting date. These messages often go to a spam- or junk-mail folder, so please check there before reporting that you didn't get that e-mail. Please note that PRESTO continues to be unable to send e-mail to MSN (such as Hotmail) or Apple addresses. More information is below, see "STILL RELEVANT".

Users may view their starting signup date in PRESTOGEM by clicking on the Registration Info link once they are signed in.

SF BALLET SEASON SIGNUPS (posted 1/10/25)

Scheduling for San Francisco Ballet's 2025 repertory season opened on Friday, January 10.

On January 7, active volunteers were sent a message with their start date. These messages sometimes go to a spam- or junk-mail folder, so please check there before reporting that you didn't get that e-mail. And the scheduling program continues to be unable to send e-mail to MSN (such as Hotmail) or Apple addresses. [more informatioin on the issue with e-mail is/was posted on the Home page.]

NUTCRACKER WILL OPEN THE BALLET SEASON (posted 12/6/24)

On Thursday, December 5, San Francisco Ballet announced that the Ballet, the Dancer Bargaining Committee, and the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA)--which represents the dancers and stage managers of SF Ballet--have reached a tentative two-year agreement. This enables the company to raise the Nutcracker curtain on December 6, the opening night of SF Ballet’s 2024-25 season. (The agreement is subject to ratification.)

For more details, please see the press release.

NUTCRACKER AND SHEN YUN SCHEDULING (posted 11/28/24)

Nutcracker (December 6-29, thirty-seven performances) and Shen Yun (January 4-7, four performances) return to the Opera House.

Information about scheduling was e-mailed on November 6. Please consider being a part of the magic: sign up for Nutcracker!

* Our scheduling program cannot send e-mail to MSN (such as Hotmail) or Apple addresses. More information is below--see "STILL RELEVANT".

REMEMBERING ELLEN CHAMPLIN (posted 10/8/24)

Some corners of the Opera House will be darker: Ellen Campbell Champlin has died at the age of 88. With a wide and memorable smile (and a wink-of-the-eye sense of humor), Ellen illuminated whenever she volunteered, which she did often, usually on the Orchestra level. She will be seriously missed by guests at the Opera House and her fellow ushers.

A short obituary is here.

SF OPERA FALL SEASON SIGNUPS (posted 7/14/24)

On July 9, active volunteers with a PRESTO-usable email address were sent a message with their starting date. These messages often go to a spam- or junk-mail folder, so please check there before reporting that you didn't get that e-mail. Messages to some e-mail providers (see below) will not go through. Users may view their starting date in PRESTO by clicking on the Registration Info link once they are signed in.

SF OPERA SEASON SIGNUPS (posted 5/1/24)

Scheduling for San Francisco Opera's 2024 summer season opened on Friday, April 26.

On April 24, active volunteers with a PRESTO-usable email address were sent a message with their starting date. These messages often go to a spam- or junk-mail folder, so please check there before reporting that you didn't get that e-mail. Messages to some e-mail providers (see below) will not go through. Users may view their starting date in PRESTO by clicking on the Registration Info link once they are signed in.

REMEMBERING BOB NELSON (posted 3/9/24)

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Bob Nelson, a steadfast OHUG volunteer on the Orchestra level. He passed on March 3, before the last regular performance of Swan Lake.

Bob recorded over 50 years of volunteering at the Opera House. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2016, but continued to usher through SF Opera’s June/July season in 2023.

"To Bob, the Opera House is home away from home, and fellow ushers family."

REMEMBERING SANDRA HOLLOWAY (posted 3/4/24)

The Opera House learned late last week of the passing of long-time usher Sandra Holloway in late December, one day after she turned 81. Her volunteer efforts here reflected her vibrant commitment to the arts, especially to SF Ballet and the Opera. Sandra was an admirable observer of the needs of audience members (and fellow ushers) especially if she could provide a smile or some remark about the performance at hand.

Sandra's obituary is here.

SF BALLET SEASON SIGNUPS (posted 12/27/23)

Scheduling for San Francisco Ballet's 2024 season will open on Friday, December 29.

On December 26, active volunteers were sent a message with their start date. These messages often go to a spam- or junk-mail folder, so please check there before reporting that you didn't get that e-mail. Messages to some e-mail providers (see below) will not go through.

REMEMBERING CLAIRE HUNTER (posted 11/28/23)

Born in Scotland (and fierce in her pride for her native land), Claire Hunter started ushering at the Opera House in her part-time retirement (as she sometimes phrased it). She ushered frequently, but wasn't with us nearly long endough.

Claire brought a unique perspective to the artistry she got to see on the stage and hear from the pit. And she charmed everyone with whom she could share her reactions, audience-members and fellow-ushers alike.

Claire died on November 9 from pancreatic cancer, at the age of 66. Her obituary is here.

NUTCRACKER AND SHEN YUN SCHEDULING (posted 11/2/23)

Nutcracker (December 13-31) and Shen Yun (January 4-7, four performances) return to the Opera House.

Information about scheduling was e-mailed on October 31. Volunteers who missed the mailing and have ushered this Fall are asked to look for it in any Spam/Junk folder before asking for another copy. Volunteers using Hotmail--or related Microsoft products such as MSN--should read the post "DO YOU USE A MSN E-MAIL ADDRESS?"

Please consider being a part of the magic: sign up for Nutcracker!

BACKSTAGE TOURS (posted 8/18/23)

Jamye is grateful to everyone who has helped make the Opera House an open and welcoming place for all of our patrons. A backstage tour is being offered to volunteers who ushered at least twenty shifts in the past twelve months. On August 14 these ushers were notified by email that they may sign up in PRESTO Group & Event Manager.

SCHEDULING FOR FALL OPERA (posted 7/4/23)

PRESTO Group & Event Manager opens on July 7 for ushers who volunteered most frequently in the past calendar year. Those who ushered during that time have been sent the date when they may begin scheduling. And those who ushered at least 20 shifts have been given a little more information about the backstage tours.

Volunteers using Hotmail--or related products such as MSN--should read the post "DO YOU USE A MSN E-MAIL ADDRESS? below, added April 23.

Other news:

The Dress Code has been updated. Click here.
This Summer the Opera offered post-performance escorted walks to BART and two garages: https://www.sfopera.com/visit/directions-and-parking
Entering your shifts into your calendar can be easy with Subscribe via URL Use this URL: https://prestogem.com/vo/sfopera/signups/exc/653

More info is here: https://prestogem.com/vo/sfopera/groups/h_pers#cal

Note that deleting a shift from your calendar does not cancel your shift in PRESTO.

SF OPERA SEASON SIGNUPS (posted 4/27/23)

Scheduling for San Francisco Opera's 2023 summer season will open on Friday, May 5.

On May 2, active volunteers will be sent a message with their start date. These messages often go to a spam- or junk-mail folder, so please check there before reporting that you didn't get that e-mail. Messages to some e-mail providers (see below) will not go through.

This message will also say:

a) whether you have already volunteered for enough performances to qualify for a backstage tour invitation; or

b) how many more shifts you need to qualify.

SF BALLET SEASON SIGNUPS (posted 1/7/23)

Scheduling for San Francisco Ballet's 2023 repertory season opened on January 2.

On December 28, active volunteers were sent a message with their start date. (These messages often go to a spam- or junk-mail folder, so please check there before reporting that you didn't get that e-mail.)

Volunteers who cancel a Shen Yun commitment without adding another will have their Ballet season signups reviewed.

REMEMBERING DOLLY TURNBLAD (posted 12/17/22)

Long-time usher Dolly Turnblad died in her Union Street home on November 1. Vibrantly interested in the performing arts, besides ushering at the Opera House, she was a regular presence at diverse music and dance events around the Bay Area. She clearly enjoyed sharing her experiences with fellow volunteers, staff, and many audience members she had come to know.

Dolly's obituary was printed in the San Francisco Chronicle, and is available online here.

NUTCRACKER AND SHEN YUN ARE BACK + COVID-19 PROTOCOLS REMOVED (posted 11/1/22)

Nutcracker (December 8-27) and Shen Yun (January 4-8) return to the Opera House.

Information about scheduling was sent by e-mail on November 1. Volunteers who missed the mailing and have ushered this Fall are asked to look for it in any Spam/Junk folder before asking for another copy.

Please be aware that SF Ballet has told ticket buyers that it will not require audience members to wear masks while in the Opera House or to provide proof of COVID-negative tests, vaccinations, and/or boosters. This is in line with the latest position of the War Memorial & Performing Arts Center, which allows licensees to create their own rules (or make no rule).

SCHEDULING FOR FALL OPERA (posted 7/7/22)

PRESTO Group & Event Manager opens on July 8 for ushers who volunteered most frequently in the past calendar year. Those who helped out during that time have been sent the date when they may begin scheduling.

Please think about ushering for more than one performance of the traditional favorites, Eugene Onegin and La Traviata, and the world premiere, Antony and Cleopatra. Ballet fans please note: those are the operas where we anticipate we will need your help the most.

New volunteers are welcome to start during San Francisco Opera's Centennial season, which offers some special programs and provides an opportunity to find out if ushering at the Opera House works for you. Who knows? If it does, we hope to see you for the Ballet, too! Send e-mail for details.

REMEMBERING JIM McCARTHY (posted 6/27/22)

Over the weekend the sad news came that Jim McCarthy had died on Sunday, June 19. An obituary, written by his brother Charles, is available here. Besides his work for SF Ballet and Opera (usually in the Orchestra), he also proudly volunteered for the San Francisco SPCA.

Jim's presence, his keenness to see that audience members under his care were enjoying themselves, and his dry sense of humor will be intensely missed. He started ushering for the Ballet at the beginning of 2014. But Jim was such a dedicated OHUG member that it seemed as if his time at the Opera House was much more extended.

SCHEDULING FOR JUNE & JULY (posted 5/18/22)

PRESTO Group & Event Manager remains open for volunteering at SF Opera performances of both Don Giovanni and Dream of the Red Chamber. Please think about ushering for more than one performance of each, if you haven't already: audiences could use your help.

If you are not already an OHUG volunteer, please consider becoming one. Summer Opera provides a great opportunity to find out if the tradition of volunteer ushering at the Opera House works for you. Who knows? If it does, you may end up scheduling yourself for SF Opera's historic 100th season in the Fall! Send e-mail for details.

UPDATES! (posted 1/4/22)

Announced January 4: in an abundance of caution, the SF Ballet 2022 Season Gala has been postponed from Thursday, January 27, 2022, to Thursday, March 24, 2022. Please check back here--or at the SF Ballet website--for 2022 Season updates in these challenging times.

Started during 2021 Nutcracker: NO DRINKING IN THE THEATER.

Audience members (and us) are asked to remain masked at all times while inside the auditorium. (First posted 1/1/22.)

NUTCRACKER IS OVER BUT MORE DANCING IS YET TO COME! (posted 1/1/22)

We ended an unusual year at the Opera House with this final briefing (and snow!) before the last performance of 2021. Shen Yun lies ahead of us, as well as Helgi Tomasson's last season as Artistic Director.

With a BIG THANK-YOU to all OHUG volunteers comes the wish for a great 2022, filled with many enjoyable and rewarding moments in the Opera House! Please stay healthy, engaged, and join in the excitement of live performances.

(Click on the downward-pointing arrow to the right and see a 2021 holiday photo.)

OLDER OHUG ANNOUNCEMENTS

To access 2020-21 announcements, please click HERE.

To access 2018-19 announcements, please click HERE.

To access 2016-17 announcements, please click HERE.

To access 2014-15 announcements, please click HERE.

To access pre-2014 announcements, please click HERE.

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