CMU voice students perform preview of opera at 'Let's Do Lunch' event
Let’s Do Lunch brings the performances, and you bring the lunch.
On the first Wednesday of every month, Art Reach Center of Mid-Michigan, 111 E. Broadway St., hosts a Let’s Do Lunch event. Wednesday's event featured Central Michigan University voice students performing a preview of their upcoming opera, “Pirates of Penzance,” by Gilbert and Sullivan.
CMU associate professor of voice Eric Tucker explained the communal benefits of providing arts and entertainment at Let's Do Lunch.
“It is always good to connect with the community and get to know them," Tucker said. "That is the only way the arts is going to stay alive, by staying relevant and communicating with their audience. This gave us the chance to let the community preview our opera, which will take place on March 15, 16 and 17."
Voice student and Niles senior James Jones performed Wednesday, finding the preview to be essential.
“Previews are always good, it gives us a chance to test out our performance in front of an audience. This way, we can see what works before we have the big performance,” Jones said.
With more people than chairs, the students brought in a crowd of 55 people at Art Reach, allowing them to interact with Mount Pleasant locals and inform them of their upcoming opera.
“They have beautiful voices; I’m not usually fond of opera music, but I loved their voices,” Mount Pleasant resident Paula Johnson said. “I knew some of the students performing and really wanted to be here today.”
Mount Pleasant local Susan Miller is a regular Let's Do Lunch attendee who made an appearance Wednesday.
“There is such a variety of entertainment. It is interesting, fun and free of charge. Overall, it is a great program,” Miller said.
Retired Central Michigan University professor Thompson Moffit is one of the board members of Art Reach and is glad to offer this free and open event to the community.
“This is a chance to provide some entertainment and information periodically. We have the opportunity to let people provide entertainment ... ” Moffit said. “We get a lot of retired people who are interested in the particular topic. Some people depend and plan on coming every time because they like to come and hear the singers, talkers and view the art shows.”
