Portland, OR. Portland Opera announced its plans for the remainder of the 2020/21 season. The Opera’s pivot will feature a series of virtual recitals from the company’s artistic home in Southeast Portland, an outdoor opera experience, and productions broadcast via the company’s new digital channel, Portland Opera Onscreen. Robert Xavier Rodríguez’s opera Frida will be the first broadcast in March of 2021. The Onscreen production of Verdi’s Il Trovatore (seen above) will follow. It will be a semi-staged concert, focusing on the music, performed in a landscape of video projections. Il Trovatore has been dubbed, “a tour de force” and tells the story of a mother, burned at the stake as a witch.
The plan for these digital performances is to have a suggested access fee of $50 and patrons will have digital access for 45 days.
“The global pandemic has challenged us: to be problem-solvers, to adapt to new technologies, and to deepen the ways that serve the community,” says General Director Sue Dixon. “Our newly reimagined 20/21 season celebrates the resiliency of the creative spirit with live music and local collaborations—while prioritizing health and wellness for our audiences, artists, and company.”
Here are some of the opera’s options:
20/21 Resident Artist Series
January – February, 2021 | Select Thursdays at 7 PM
Streaming online for free; this recital series features Resident Artists sharing solo pieces, duets, and ensemble works
FRIDA (onscreen)/Robert Xavier Rodríguez
Digital access will be available for 45 days, starting on March 20, 2021 on the digital channel, PortlandOpera Onscreen.
Photos courtesy of Long Beach Opera, by Keith Polakoff.
Photos courtesy of Long Beach Opera, by Keith Polakoff.
JOURNEYS TO JUSTICE/Curated by Artistic Advisor Damien Geter
Digital access will be available for 45 days, starting on April 16, 2021 on the digital channel, Portland Opera Onscreen. These compositions are about love, justice, and experiences of being a Black American.
From Portland Opera:
Multnomah County, where Portland Opera is headquartered, entered Phase I reopening from the COVID-19 pandemic on June 19th, and remains in Phase I—along with neighboring Washington and Clackamas counties—until public health indicators permit progression to Phase II. Public performances with audiences are permitted only in the final phases of the state’s reopening plan.As part of the company’s commitment to the health and wellbeing of the staff, artists, ensemble, and audience members, Portland Opera has engaged a team of medical advisors to review all safety procedures and protocols, ensuring the company is in line with the best and current medical advice on an ongoing basis. To learn more about Portland Opera’s comprehensive response to the global pandemic, visit portlandopera.org.
Currently being developed in tandem with a new website and ticketing platform, the Portland Opera Onscreen channel will launch in February 2021. Until that time, digital content and performances will be available on PortlandOpera’s Vimeo and YouTube channels. The company plans to sustain the digital channel for future seasons as an option for patrons, and is developing these new digital offerings based on patron feedback from recent surveys, strategic planning input, and Town Hall meetings. Tickets for special outdoor performances, as well as digital passes for these productions, will be available beginning in February of 2021.
The company continues with plans to offer an adjusted Portland Opera To Go program, which is Portland Opera’s statewide, school-based arts education tour for K-12 students. Due to the pandemic, this program is shifting to connect with regional schools in a new digital format, starting in January 2021. The company is following state health guidelines and school district mandates in carrying out this program. Opera staff members are working with educators to adjust the program to meet unique digital needs, and to develop supportive relationships during these challenging times.
As a result of this reimagined season, three originally announced productions of Puccini’s Tosca, the Big Night concert, and a double bill of Frid’s The Diary of Anne Frank and Heggie’s For a Look or A Touch will no longer be programmed this season. A message announced this news to 2020/21 season subscribers and members yesterday. Ticket holders are encouraged to email [email protected] in order to share their preferences for refunds and donated tickets, and opera staff members will be reaching out to everyone in the next couple of weeks. Portland Opera continues to work with artists, musicians, and creative teams to navigate these changes and develop the 21-22 season—which will be announced in early 2021.
Portland, OR. “Art, music, dance, literature are crucial to our lives and to our very survival. It’s the soul of a nation. It’s the way that we come to know the world around us and ourselves.” That’s the message from Carrie Mae Weems, an acclaimed artist who was just elected Trustee of the Portland Art Museum.
Carrie Mae Weems and Marie Watt are new Trustees at the Portland Art Museum.
Portland Art Museum is working to offer access to more of the Museum’s galleries while still observing COVID guidelines, therefore some galleries are open on a rotating basis. This rotation will allow visitors access to the 4th Floor of the Hoffman Wing for the first time since the museum reopened, including APEX: Ed Bereal and other Northwest Art favorites.
One current exhibit is “Volcano! Mount St. Helens in Art.”
Other offerings at the museum include Día de Muertos Outdoor Projection, November 1, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. (No tickets needed). To cap off this year’s reimagined Día de Muertos celebrations in Portland, visitors are invited to view a 4-minute animated projection on the south side of the Mark Building created by artist Anabel Uyana with sound by Gerardo Calderon and projection technology by Mobile Projection Unit.
The museum is open Thursday – Sunday from 10 – 5. You can reserve a timed-entry ticket online in advance; most galleries are open. Regular admission is $20 adults, $17 students/seniors, kids always free.
From Portland Art Museum:
In the interest of personal safety and community health, visitors and staff are required to adhere to safety precautions while in the Museum. For visitors, these include properly wearing face coverings for the duration of your visit, maintaining 6 feet of distance with other parties, and purchasing your timed-entry ticket in advance, among other things. Please read more about how to have a safe and enjoyable visit at our Welcome Back page.
Portland, OR. An annual fundraiser called “Impact Oregon’s Future” raised a record $270,000 for the Children’s Institute. Marta and Ken Thasher (above) celebrated Ken receiving the Children’s Institute’s 2020 Alexander Award for his long-standing passion is to make a difference for children and families in Oregon.
The virtual event, held on October 20th, was emceed by CI’s Senior Early Education Advisor Soobin Oh. It highlighted the nonprofit’s work across Oregon to increase access to critical early childhood programs including preschool, home visiting, child care, and many other services. The virtual benefit included recorded messages from VIP supporters.
Jordan Schnitzer toasts Ken Thrasher on receiving the 2020 Alexander Award.
Governor Kate Brown congratulates Ken Thrasher on receiving the 2020 Alexander Award.
Cindy and Duncan Campbell stepped up as presenting sponsors for the 2020 Impact Oregon’s Future event. Duncan founded Children’s Institute over 16 years ago and served on the board for many years.
Children’s Institute CEO and President Swati Adarkar reflects on the nonprofit’s achievements.
Swati Adarkar commented, “It’s really incredible to witness the growth of the movement to support Oregon’s children. Strategic investment in our youngest Oregonians is a sure way to impact our state now and into the future. We’re pleased and grateful that so many people, parents, leaders, and community partners see the value of the work we do and have donated critical resources to fuel our work forward.” Swati Adarkar explained why the nonprofit is grateful. “Every dollar helps us continue the work we’ve been doing for more than sixteen years, connecting young children across Oregon to vital programs and services that support their healthy development and early school success.” The Children’s Institute honored Ken Thrasher with the Alexander Award at the event.
The award was named for Richard C. “Dick” Alexander, one of Oregon’s foremost business and civic leaders, who was committed to improving the lives of Oregon children with a focus on early childhood.
“Ken truly embodies the spirit of the Alexander Award,” Adarkar said. “His commitment to children and families has been exemplary and he has had an extraordinary imprint on advancing Oregon’s early childhood agenda. Ken’s deep, long-standing passion is to make a big difference for children and families in Oregon, and he has. I was thrilled to celebrate him.”
Others who added their gratitude and thanks for Ken’s service and commitment to Oregon’s children during the event included Governor Kate Brown; Martha Richards, Executive Director of the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation; philanthropist Jordan Schnitzer; and Beaverton School District Superintendent Don Grotting.
From Children’s Institute:
Founded in 2003 by a group of business and philanthropic leaders, the Children’s Institute brings Oregonians together to support the early learning and healthy development of young children, prenatal to eight years old.
We believe in starting early because investments in young children’s education, health, and safety are proven to improve lifetime outcomes for children who experience barriers to opportunity due to poverty, race, disability, and/or geographic location.
Through advocacy, research, policy, and practice, Children’s Institute works to ensure that young children have the programs and services they need to nurture their love of learning and prepare them for success in school and beyond.
Join us to make sure every child in Oregon has the best start in life.
Portland, OR. The Pittock Mansion is open for visitors and volunteers are planning for the annual Christmas celebration. It will feature, “The wonderful world of animals” with this year’s theme Critters Make Merry. From reindeer and polar bears to lions and mice and a few in between, volunteer decorators transform the Mansion’s rooms into enchanting animal havens.
Tickets for this year’s event are limited due to capacity restrictions. All tickets must be purchased online in advance by selecting a date and start time. The first timed entry begins at 10am with last timed entry starting at 3:30pm.
Certain permanent exhibit features will not be viewable so that the Mansion can highlight decorations along the one-way viewing path.
Face coverings are required when indoors and when around other guests or staff unless an accommodation for people with disabilities or other exemption applies. Face coverings are recommended but not required for visitors between the ages of 2 and 5.
Tickets are timed and must be purchased online. Please purchase before arriving. All transactions—both tickets and Museum Store—are credit card only. No cash. Exchange requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Members can reserve a time and check in with guests online using their Member ID number.
Entry and exit into the Mansion will be one-way and individual groups/parties will have a staggered entry from other individual groups/parties.
The maximum group size is limited to 10 people. Please note: there might be a short wait outside the Mansion before entry.
Six-feet distancing will be enforced in lines and within the Mansion and Museum Store.
Follow all capacity and one-way directional instructions throughout the Mansion and the Museum Store as stated by staff and signage.
Hand sanitizer will be available at main entrance and exit of the Mansion and Museum Store. Restrooms are also available inside the Mansion. We ask all visitors to follow CDC and Oregon Health Authority guidelines regarding handwashing and hand sanitizing.
Please refrain from touching surfaces and objects inside the Mansion and Museum Store (unless purchasing). Entry and exit from the Mansion and the Museum Store will be touchless.
There will be no access to drinking fountains within the museum.
The elevator will be available for visitors with mobility issues but will be limited to two people per group. Visitors must be comfortable being in the elevator on their own. The elevator will be controlled by staff from the hallways on each floor. Other restrictions may apply.
Avoid visiting if you are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19, have been exposed to someone who has tested positive within 14 days, or have traveled to areas with known travel restrictions within the last 14 days.
Portland, OR. Portland YouthBuilders (PYB) hosted a three-day fundraising campaign and a virtual scavenger hunt to raise funds. About 100 supporters joined in the fun of the virtual scavenger hunt. Teams remained safe and socially distanced as they competed for points and bragging rights. Missions included a photo (as seen above) or video displays of talent, creativity, and tenacity; all submitted through the scavenger hunt app. Supporters surpassed a $100,000 fundraising goal, raising more than $125,000. The nonprofit provides support for low-income youth including, education, vocational training, and leadership development.
It was a family affair for these scavenger hunt participants.
Virtual scavenger hunt teams get silly for PYB! Participants describe the scavenger hunt as a bonding experience that helped them forget about the pandemic for awhile.
The hunt was called the Big Search Party. Participants gave the activity great reviews saying, “What a creative fundraiser! It’s the only thing that has gotten my kids off the couch and doing fun, silly things.”
The virtual campaign and scavenger hunt took place over three days – September 24th, 25th and 26th – and was presented by O’Neill Walsh Community Builders. It included video testimonials.
PYB graduate, Matt Solano, told his story about the support he received as a student at PYB and the success he built after he graduated.
From Portland YouthBuilders:
PYB thanks sponsors and donors who made this fundraiser such a success. The generosity the community has displayed, stepping up to offer critical emergency support during COVID-19, has been an incredible support in an uncertain time.
The mission of Portland YouthBuilders is to support young people who are committed to changing their lives to become self-sufficient, contributing members of the workforce and their community. Serving more than 200 young people a year, PYB offers a program of high school completion, vocational training, counseling, and support that helps our students find a new path and a clear vision of success filled with pride, leadership, and commitment to the community.
Founded in 1995, Portland YouthBuilders is a non-profit organization committed to providing long term support for low-income youth. Each year, we provide education, vocational training, and leadership development services for over 200 young people between the ages of 17 and 24 who have not completed high school and who face significant barriers to success.
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