El Paso Opera takes performances to streetcars, local parks this weekend
EL PASO, Texas (CBS4) — Friday night marks the first of many events for the El Paso Opera's Viva Frida! month. The month of August will be filled with opportunities to see the El Paso Opera perform, leading up to their performance of Frida at Abraham Chavez Theater on Aug. 27, 2022.
On Friday, Aug. 5, the El Paso Opera will take to the El Paso Streetcars to bring opera music to riders as a part of the First Friday series.
The opera's resident pianist and artists will perform on streetcar 1511 beginning at 6 p.m.
Resident artist, Mariana Sandoval, said these events are special to her organization because of the ability to reach members of the community that wouldn't normally experience opera music.
"Myself as a performer, and also working behind the scenes, it taught me a lot about how the music really heals and brings so much joy to people," she said.
Boarding is at the El Paso Convention Center, located between Santa Fe St. and Henry Trost Ct.
The artists will perform Mexican art songs and other opera favorites.
Click here to download the Ride Sun Metro app to track the streetcars.
This event is free.
Another free event this weekend will be on Saturday.
The El Paso Opera will bring their Curbside Opera initiative to the Upper Valley.
Sandoval said Curbside Opera started during the pandemic, as a way to help heal and connect the community.
"Doing this initiative with Curbside Opera, it allowed us to connect with the community on a more personal level, and it allowed us to reach areas that would never usually go and listen to opera," she added.
Fast forward to now, and the opera continues to bring this initiative to all parts of town. The artists perform from a mobile stage in parks across town.
"We go to different areas in our community. We go everywhere from the Westside, Northeast, Segundo Barrio, Lower Valley, and we just bring some opera to them," said Sandoval.
This weekend's performances will be at White Spur Park and 6:30 p.m. and Braden Abound Memorial Park at 7:30 p.m.
Click here for more opportunities to experience the El Paso Opera as they prepare and promote their upcoming performance of Frida!
