By Lizabeth Jenkins-Dale / August 14, 2016
Soo Opera’s production of “Barber of Seville” is innovative, colorful, and downright funny. The comic flair of the singers/actors led by the skilled direction of Eric Shaw, serve to make this a Barber you won’t forget.
If you’ve been reading the paper, you’ve already seen the list of AMAZING vocal performers coming in to do this show (and of course, our very own Karen Hughes Beacom). Missed it? Check out our webpage to see the list there.
With three performances at the Soo Theatre and an abbreviated version on Mackinac Island, there are many opportunities for you to enjoy. Wednesday, 8/10 and Friday, 8/12 at 7:30pm, and Sunday, 8/14 at 3pm at the Soo Theatre. Monday, 8/15 at 5pm on Mackinac Island, Mission Point. The Mackinac ticket includes an open bar and reception preceding the performance beginning at 4pm.
New this year is another exciting addition. The Soo Opera brings in not only vocal performers, but also instrumentalists as well. You’ll still see many of our top musicians from the EUP, but with the addition of some outside friends, the results are sure to stun you.
These instrumentalists are preparing a chamber music concert you won’t want to miss to be performed in the Les Cheneaux area! Mark your calendar, Saturday, August 13th, a number of these will be playing at the Boat Show in Hessel and a Chamber Music Concert at Les Cheneaux Community Library at 5pm! There will be a woodwind quintet, various string ensembles, horn duos, and a string quartet accompanying our vocal stars to give you some highlights of the opera. If you haven’t seen the opera by Saturday, this is sure to whet your appetite so that you will want to head to the Soo Sunday to see it!
The opera always reminds us that summer is fleeting and school is just around the corner. With school comes a new list of fall classes at STARS! Did you know that STARS has classes not only for young students, but for adults as well? We will highlight a few for both age groups here. For a full listing,
please stop by the office to pick one up or visit our web page. Don’t forget to check back periodically, as we make additions as we go.
Classes for youth to include beginning ukulele, group piano class, youth chorus, after-school “try it out” class on violin and cello, and various levels of orchestra. In addition to the classes, we always have the option of private lessons available. A group class is fun for students to try because they can try with a friend and it gives an introduction to an instrument or voice to see if it’s a good fit. For the student who knows what they want to play or sing, private lessons afford the opportunity to focus on that child’s strengths and help them overcome technical hurdles specific to that one child.
Are you an adult who needs a night out during the week? Maybe you’re going to retire soon and want a new hobby? STARS has a number of classes to appeal to the adult crowd as well.
Maybe you played the violin in middle school and wished you never quit. If so, try out the New Horizons Adult Beginning Strings class on Thursday nights. This class is for anyone who either played a long time ago but needs a “refresher” course, or for any adult who’s never played before and wants to learn violin, viola, cello, or string bass! If you’ve played a bit but maybe don’t read very fluently yet, need some reminders on technique, and would like to play with a group, we have a second adult level, as well. And if you’ve played for a while but want to join a group and play in an orchestra, there is an advanced adult string orchestra as well.
If art is your thing, watch our webpage for our “Arty Parties” geared towards high school and adult. These are a lot of fun and all the materials are provided for you. Sign up with a friend!
Another thing that is important to note is that several of our instructors teach in various locations throughout the EUP. Much of our teaching is done at the Soo Theatre, but we have teachers in Rudyard, Pickford, and Cedarville as well. For specific days and times of classes, lessons, or locations, please visit our website or call the Soo Theatre office.
