Anyone who has ever been to Ulen, Minnesota knows that the small town is famous for two things: Turkey BBQ Days, which will be held August 15-17 and include an estimated 3,000 pounds of turkey, and the Top Hat Theatre. The 2015 BBQ is the town’s 54th annual, while the theatre has been in operation for 11 years. They are both equally revered both in Ulen and beyond.

Therese Vogel has been the executive director of Top Hat since its inception. “Our previous band director in 2004 thought that after the auditorium’s renovation we should use the theatre for the community and not just the schools, so we developed a performing arts series,” she explained.

The same committee members have run the theatre for all eleven years; which is a strong testament to the widespread and unyielding devotion of everyone involved. The committee is made up entirely of volunteers – people that do what they do for the gratification as opposed to the rewards. “The dedication of the committee and our high level of enjoyment are huge,” Vogel said.

Ulen-Hitterdal Public School is the only school in Clay County that has such a program. Its success is a tribute to both the school and the community as a whole. “Our support from businesses and individuals make this possible,” Vogel said. “It is everyone coming together as a team. The community trusts us that we will have good performances.”

Those performances are what make the Top Hat Theatre truly stand out. Over the years, a plethora of acts has walked through the theatre’s doors. For Vogel, a few performers stand out as especially memorable. Dallas Brass performed in Ulen three or four years ago, to an overflow crowd. “It was a goal to bring them in for our students and the community and we over filled the theatre,” she explained. “They are very big and well known in their genre; that was awesome.”

Evidence of the theatre’s level of class and professionalism is the fact that many performers ask to come back. The Cat’s Pajamas and Audio Body are both returning in 2015, acts that have been very popular in the past. “The students love them,” Vogel said. “The Cat’s Pajamas is an a cappella group and Audio Body makes their own stuff and shows the students.” Word is that the group’s light show is especially impressive.

The impact of the Top Hat Theatre doesn’t stop at the entertainment that performs. The group also runs a children’s program, which has been in operation even before the actual theatre. Students attend the program from 10:00 am to 4:00pm for one week; spending most of their time learnings their parts. This year’s theme is “Hero Racers,” which involves superheroes racing like NASCAR. “Everyone gets a part,” Vogel said. “The same director has been here for about eight years and we kind of kick of Turkey Days with our performance.”

Vogel would like to invite everyone in the region to a performance, an experience that will be worth much more than the price of admission. “Our big point is our performers and our ticket prices,” she explained. “We can help people see big performances for a very good price.” In addition, Vogel said the committee attempts to get as much variety into the season as possible. “We choose performances that will work best for the people.”

A program of this magnitude does not happen without people that are passionate about their work. The theatre’s mission statement says it best: “To promote the performing arts and provide exposure to the residents of the surrounding area.” It is a whole-hearted belief in the power of art that fuels Top Hat. “I love the arts and we have an awesome community,” Vogel said. That love is what will keep the theatre’s doors open for many years to come.

Ticket prices for individual performances are $15 for adults and $10 for students. Season tickets for all eight shows during the 2015-16 season are only $65. In addition, family passes for the season, which include tickets for two adults and two children, are available for $140. More information can be found at www.ulenhitterdal.k12.mn.us.

Performers booked for the 2015-16 season include:

· “A Musical Tribute to Patsy Cline” by Colleen Raye, accompanied by a four-piece country music band, on September 19.

· Internationally known folk-pop band Rogue Valley will be at Top Hat on October 10. The group, originally from the Twin Cities, has released four albums and one vinyl LP since 2010. Most recently, Rogue Valley’s song “The Wolves and the Ravens” was featured in the feature film, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

· Minnesota State University Moorhead’s own Fuego Tropical will perform on November 7. Special guests trumpeter Tom Strait and Latin percussionist Ruben Alvarez will join them.

· Keri Noble will perform the theatre’s holiday show on December 5. “A Very Special Christmas” will feature an assortment of songs from Noble’s holiday album entitled “More Than Santa,” as well as a mix of holiday classics.

· Steve Russell will bring his sidesplitting juggling act to Ulen on January 9. Russell’s performance can be best described as a variety show featuring both comedy and magic.

· A cappella group The Cat’s Pajamas will perform on February 6. The group blends classic songs in a modern and unique style, complete with both lyrics and the sound of an entire band. The group has performed on television shows America’s Got Talent, The Sing-Off, and The Next Great American Band.

· Paula Lammers and Reeves Cary will be on stage March 19. Their show, entitled “I Could Write a Book: Music and Lyrics from American Songwriting Teams,” will include music from a variety of decades.

· Finally, Audio Body will return with it popular act on May 14. Their act is described as a synthesis of music, comedy, and technology. The group has toured all over the U.S. andabroad, and appeared on such television shows as America’s Got Talent, Inside Edition, and David Letterman.