When a severe winter storm gripped western Nevada County, paralyzing services and schools for nearly a month in March of this year, the local community was brought together to enjoy ‘Meeting Mozart’ at The Center for the Arts.
Initially slated as the inaugural performance of a student matinee series, local students were unable to attend after the storm shuttered schools and disrupted routines across the region. The Center for the Arts pivoted swiftly, transforming the setback into an opportunity by offering a complimentary matinee to the public of ‘Meeting Mozart’ at the Marisa Funk Theater on March 3, 2023. The performance was met with an overwhelming response, drawing an audience of over 400 enthusiastic attendees.
CDP Theatre Producers from Sydney, Australia, planned this production as the launchpad for their U.S. tour. Amber Jo Manuel, The Center for the Arts Executive Director, expressed her admiration for the visiting troupe, “They are so talented and they deserve an audience!” Patron, Rebecca Fischer, remarked, “This was such a neat event! I am so thankful to have community events such as this when kids are crazy, parents are stressed, and funds are tight. The Center for the Arts, our buckets are full today.”
‘Meeting Mozart,’ which premiered at the Sydney Opera House in 2013, is a 50-minute theatrical piece designed to cultivate a profound love and appreciation for classical music. Utilizing a blend of live music, narratives, and melodies, the performance provides an interactive voyage into the world of Mozart, and unravels the inspiration behind his masterpieces..
Athena Aronow, Arts Education Manage, expressed her gratitude, “After a week of tough and stressful storms, it was truly rewarding to see all the smiling faces fill our theater and enjoy an amazing free production.” Moreover, the student matinee series had been made feasible through a generous grant from the California Arts Council. This funding ensured two years of student matinees and free educational programming for the community’s youth.
In the face of adversity brought by nature’s fury, our local community came together in support of art, education and culture.
Please join us on March 21st, 2024 for our next, free matinee of Charlotte’s Web. If it is anything like the last production, it is sure to be a wonderful community event.
