Lorraine Thwaite Archives - Cleveland Classical

Preview: Arts Renaissance Tremont — free concerts since 1991

September 10, 2013 by Special to ClevelandClassical.com

by Mike Telin

Since its founding in 1991 Arts Renaissance Tremont (ART) has been a cultural pillar in that now trendy West Side Cleveland Neighborhood. “When we began the series, Tremont was not as trendy or as popular as it is today,” remembers ART president Robert Schneider. “I remember Miracles being the place to go for pancakes so we were there long before the neighborhood became as popular as it is today.”

Under the tireless direction of Chris Haff- Paluck with assistance from a group of extremely dedicated board and volunteers, Arts Renaissance Tremont has somehow managed to remain true to the vision of keeping the concerts free of charge. “We operate solely on membership and freewill donations. There are no tickets involved and we try to make the programs accessible to everyone,” says Schneider. ART has also received financial support from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture (CAC Grants) the Neighborhood Connection and the Kulas Foundation. ART has also benefited greatly from the generous support of its performance venue, the acoustically beautiful Pilgrim Congregational Church.

Tremont resident and longtime ART concert attendee Lorraine Thwaite says she enjoys Arts Renaissance Tremont concerts because the performers are of world-class quality and the concerts are right in her neighborhood. [Read more…]

Cleveland Orchestra’s holiday concerts return with plenty of festive cheer (Dec. 11)

by Stephanie Manning

This article was originally published on Cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio — If the twinkling lights, leafy green garlands and festive poinsettias didn’t already clue you in, the holidays have arrived at Severance Music Center. ‘Tis the season for annual traditions — including The Cleveland Orchestra’s holiday concerts, which began on Wednesday evening.

Running through December 22, the programs feature plenty of seasonal classics plus some potential new favorites. The first performance proved that this mix is a delightful recipe for festive cheer.

“Look at you all, out on a school night!” conductor Sarah Hicks proclaimed joyfully from the podium. Just as many concertgoers donned red outfits to get into the spirit, Mandel Concert Hall was also decked out with decorations and stage lighting effects.

[Read on…]

Oberlin Conservatory convincingly tells Omar’s story (Dec. 8)

by Stephanie Manning

The Cleveland premiere of Rhiannon Giddens’ and Michael Abels’ Pultizer Prize-winning opera Omar on December 8 at the Maltz Performing Arts Center proved that concert productions of opera can succeed without sets, elaborate costumes and extensive staging. Indeed, the Oberlin Conservatory presentation offered more than enough to keep the audience in the crowded house enthralled.

The Opera, which was also presented at Oberlin’s Finney Chapel two days earlier, is based on the 1831 autobiography of Muslim scholar Omar ibn Said, the only such work written by an enslaved person during their enslavement, and the only such document written in Arabic.

Rhiannon Giddens’ brilliant libretto chronicles the life of ibn Said, beginning in present-day Senegal and following him through his capture, journey via the Middle Passage, and enslavement in North and South Carolina. [Read on…]

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