The Meaning Behind “THE ARGO”
“THE ARGO isn’t just a name; it’s a promise. My family’s R-GO was a vessel for connection. When we couldn’t bring the boat home, we decided to build a new vessel on land—one that invites the whole community aboard.”
- Adam Powers, CEO, THE ARGO
The Story of R-GO — and the Spirit That Lives On
In the late 1970s, Charles and Anne Vaughn set out to build a dream from scratch: a 45-foot fiberglass sailboat they would name R-GO.
With the help of their sons Russell and Kenneth, and family friend Tim Osborn, construction began in June 1978, in a storage barn in Marblehead, Ohio. The design, based on plans by Australian naval architect Bruce Roberts, took more than three years, countless hours of work, and an unwavering belief in what they were building.
The name R-GO honored their son Russell (“R”) and the family’s adventurous spirit (“GO”)—but it also nodded to the Greek myth of Jason and the Argonauts, who set off across unknown waters in search of the golden fleece. And so the Vaughns did the same, launching their hand-built vessel into the Great Lakes in 1981 and chasing their own version of that golden dream.
For many summers that followed, the Vaughn family sailed between the Great Lakes and Florida together, forging memories that would anchor their bond for generations. After Charles passed away in 1985, Anne continued living on the boat full time—a true captain of her own course.
Eventually, R-GO remained permanently in Florida, where the family planned to renovate her for more adventures. The boat was hauled out in 2001 with big dreams for a second life—but it never received the rebuild it deserved. It was quietly sold in 2005 to a new owner who, in an unfortunate twist of fate, changed the boat’s name (a well-known sailor’s superstition) and soon after, lost a finger while working on it.
Russ and Ken have been searching for the hull ever since, hoping to bring R-GO back to the family where she belongs. The boat may be lost for now, but her spirit lives on.
Their sister Pat and her family—the Powers—spent countless days on boats with Russ and Ken in Florida. Bruce, Andy, Erin, and Adam all cherished their time aboard R-GO, with Adam especially dreaming of one day restoring the boat that had brought his family so close together.
When the search came up empty, Adam decided to build something new—something that could carry the same spirit of adventure, togetherness, and creative grit that R-GO embodied. That dream is now becoming reality at the historic Fox Bay Theater.
THE ARGO isn’t just a name. It’s a legacy.
It’s what happens when people come together to build something from the ground up—and then open the doors wide so others can come aboard.
From R-GO to THE ARGO
Decades ago, the family-built R-GO hosted summers of navigation, storytelling, and celebration on the water. THE ARGO carries that lineage forward: a place designed to feel like a launch point—where you arrive, gather, and set off together toward something memorable. The shift from R-GO to THE ARGO preserves the original meaning while inviting the wider public into the story.
Interpreted by Chris Walker’s Design Eye
To translate the name’s meaning into a cohesive identity, Powers tapped Chris Walker, a Milwaukee-based designer known for thoughtful, typographic brand systems. Walker developed THE ARGO logo and brand guide, drawing on subtle nautical cues and durable, modern typography to create a flexible system that works on a marquee, ticket, or pint glass while always pointing back to the origin story.
“Our goal was to create an identity that feels timeless and approachable,” said Chris Walker. “THE ARGO mark and guidelines nod to a nautical past with a touch of nostalgia. They’re built for how people will actually experience the venue—clear, warm, and ready to travel across every touchpoint.”
Join THE ARGO Launch Crew
Before the first soundcheck. Before the first pour. Before the marquee lights up. You are our earliest believers.
Through November 02, 2025, we’re inviting you to join THE ARGO Launch Crew. This limited-edition membership includes real perks: tickets to future shows, food & drink credits, exclusive merch, and private experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
See below for specific perks at each membership level. NOTE: This is a one-time charge, not a recurring membership. Join by November 02, 2025, after which we’ll host a virtual meetup to gather the crew and set sail.