Lexington Opera Society Bohemians
The Bohemians (under the umbrella of LOS, making us a 'sister' organization to the Bravo Guild) is a group of young professionals in the Lexington area whose mission is to increase awareness, participation and support of opera through members' attendance at events, lectures and performances — all designed to make opera a passion for a new generation. The group officially launched at the 2010 Prelude to It's a Grand Night for Singing and now has more than 100 members.
On July 21, 2010, prior to the opening night of Rent (part of the Summerfest series at the Arboretum), we had a Bohemian Bash sponsored by Langdon Shoop of Frank Shoop Inc. The Bash included front-row seats, wine from Lover's Leap Vineyards & Winery, and food from Slone's Signature Market and Sunrise Bakery. Bryant's Rent-All brought us a canopy and table. After Dr. Tedrin Blair Lindsay gave a brief talk explaining the connection between Rent and La Bohème, singers from the UK production of La Bohème performed selections from the opera.
On September 29, we celebrated the first Bohemian Night at the Opera with a reception at Institute 193, a visual arts space located at 193 N. Limestone St. Proprietor Phillip March Jones talked about his current exhibit and the role of visual arts in Lexington's arts community. Amanda Balltrip spoke about her experience performing in UK Opera Theatre's past production of La Bohème. The group then ventured to the Opera House to enjoy the final dress rehearsal performance of the opera. During intermission, director Richard Kagey was kind enough to meet with us and answer some questions and give us his perspective of how things were going and what he might want to "tweak" before opening night.
As the UKOT Pirates of Penzance raided Memorial Hall in April 2011, the Bohemians joyfully joined in as special guests during the two Sunday performances. Approximately 20 Bohemians and family members attended the 2 p.m. show. Prior to the 7:30 show, several members of the afternoon cast and Pirates' Director Margo Buchanan met with a group of Bohemians to talk about the show. Director Buchanan offered some perspectives of Gilbert and Sullivan as the natural forefathers of Monty Python and talked about the benefit for UKOT students of having the opportunity to perform in an opera as undergraduates. Jacob Waid, the "modern major general," discussed his musical theatre background and the differences and similarities between musical theatre, opera and "light opera." Rebecca Farley, "Mabel," and Elliot Lane, "Frederic," gave the Bohemians a backstage account of the production.
Several Bohemians also attended a dress rehearsal of It's a Grand Night for Singing in June 2011.
If you would like to be part of the "music and mayhem", send an email with name, address, email address and telephone number to LexingtonBohemians@gmail.com. Send a check for $15 annual membership, payable to "Lexington Opera Society" with "Bohemian Membership" in the memo line, to Louise Shouse, 1208 Walkers Way, Lexington, KY 40502.
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