BILLOWING voices filled the air as shoppers selected their produce and flowers at the Toledo Farmers’ Market Saturday. A few folks even hummed along. The sensual and dramatic songs were from Opera Outdoors, socially-distanced performances featuring the four 2020-21 Resident Artists of the Toledo Opera.
“Opera Outdoors illustrates our commitment to making rich, engaging arts experiences accessible to all Toledo communities — even while taking the safety precautions necessary to protect public health,” said Toledo Opera Executive Director Suzanne Rorick.
The eight free and open to the public pop-up events are the first live, in-person performances of the Toledo Opera’s 62nd season. Face coverings are required, and attendees are asked to maintain 6 feet from each other and a minimum of 20 ft. from the performers. Performances at the Valentine Theatre will resume in February, 2021, with Franz Lehár’s The Merry Widow, subject to current public-health guidelines.
The Resident Artists, Grace Wipfli (soprano), Olivia Johnson (mezzo soprano), Andrew Payne (baritone), and Emily Morin (pianist), were chosen from an international pool of more than 150 applicants for a one-year residency in Toledo. They will be performing classical opera, musical theater, jazz, and more in main stage productions, at the Valentine Theatre, at area schools through the Opera On Wheels program, and more, although this season is a bit different. For a review of the performers experience go to ToledoOpera.org.
The Opera Outdoors schedule includes Sept. 19, 11 a.m. at Food for Thought on Huron Street between Orange and Cherry streets; Sept. 24, 4 p.m. at Glendale Terrace Main Building, 3200 Glendale Ave.; Oct. 7, 11 a.m. at the Toledo Zoo Main Entrance; Oct. 10, 10 a.m. at the Toledo Farmers’ Market; Oct. 12, 11 a.m. at the Toledo Zoo Main Entrance; Oct. 17, 11 a.m. at Food for Thought, and Oct. 22, 4 p.m. at McClinton Nunn Homes Community Building, 425 Nebraska Ave.
HISPANIC Heritage Month is Sept. 15-Oct. 15, in recognition of the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements to our country, includes Toledo's vibrant Hispanic community.
NUESTRA Gente Community Projects Inc. and Nuestra Gente 96.5 FM, with the Toledo Northwestern Ohio Food Bank and the Ohio National Guard, hosted two Nuestra Gente COVID-19 Community Respond special food box distributions.
On June 8 they served 176 families and 606 individuals, and Aug. 17 saw 183 households served, 327 adults, 64 seniors, and 263 children with a total of 654 people.
“Life is filled with uncertainty, especially at times like this and Nuestra Gente created these special events to help families in the Old South and the surrounding areas,” Linda Parra, founder and president, said.
Barbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor. Contact her at bhendel@theblade.com or call 419-724-6124.
First Published September 17, 2020, 1:31 p.m.
