Press Release: El Paso Opera’s “Madama Butterfly” adds third show

Thursday, March 10, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 12, 7:30 p.m.
3rd SHOW: Sunday, March 13, 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Abraham Chavez Theatre



Due to popular demand, El Paso Opera has added a third performance to its “Madama Butterfly” schedule. There will be a matinee on Sunday, March 13, at 2:30 p.m. This is in addition to performances Thursday, March 10, and Saturday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m. All performances are at the Abraham Chavez Theatre.

“Madama Butterfly” marks El Paso Opera’s return to grand opera, with full sets and costumes. “Butterfly” is also one of the most popular operas of all time. It’s been two years since El Paso Opera has staged a grand opera (“Magic Flute” was the last, in 2009), and audiences are in for a treat with an Emmy®-winning production and all-star cast.

But “grand” doesn’t mean elitist — at least, not in El Paso.

El Paso Opera artistic and general director David Grabarkewitz has made it his mission to bring opera to the entire El Paso-Juárez community, as well as to traditional opera patrons.

So he’s made sure that promotions for the “Madama Butterfly” reach a Spanish-speaking audience and most neighborhoods of El Paso and Ciudad Juárez.
And for the first time, El Paso Opera advertised on a billboard in Ciudad Juárez and established a toll-free phone number for ticket-buyers in Mexico.

The opera also stretched its Spanish promotion in El Paso to bench ads in the Mission Valley and the bustling East side. A Spanish-language billboard is visible on I-10 West at Lomaland.
“Opera for All!” has been the motto of Grabarkewitz’s mission, and El Paso Opera will continue its Opera for All series in advance of “Madama Butterfly.” Opera for All events run from 60-75 minutes and will feature performances by members of the “Butterfly” cast.

Opera for All performances will be presented in English and Spanish and are open to the public free of charge.

Opera for All performances:

• El Paso Community College Transmountain Campus, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2:00 p.m.
• Fort Bliss’ Freedom Crossing- Grand Hall, Sunday, Feb. 27, 5:00 p.m.
• La Fe Community Technology Center, 721 South Ochoa St., Tuesday, March 2, 2:00 p.m.

“Butterfly is a celebration of big, classical opera,” said Grabarkewitz. “It’s a great story for first-time opera goers. If you haven’t been to the opera recently, this is the perfect show to get re-acquainted.”
Grabarkewitz used his influence as the resident stage director for the New York City Opera at Lincoln Center to ensure the highest quality Butterfly production in El Paso.

“I requested favors from the amazing cast and designer, and we've put together a phenomenal show.” Grabarkewitz said. “We’ve assembled an internationally renowned cast that is second-to-none.”

Indeed, Grabarkewitz directed several of the principal actors in an Emmy®-winning telecast for PBS performed at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

“Its story holds themes very familiar to El Pasoans: a military serviceman falls in love with a young woman.”

Information: El Paso Opera 581-5534

El Paso Opera: 1/2 off tickets to Madama Butterfly

Today only, you can buy tickets to March 10th opening night of El Paso Opera's Madama Butterfly.

Click here to visit Busca El Paso to buy your tickets.

Visit www.epopera.org to find out more about the performance!

Neon Desert Music Festival Band Lineup

Neon Desert Music Festival annual music festival organized by Splendid Sun Productions held in Downtown El Paso, TEXAS. This event features local, regional, national, and international entertainers mostly in Indie rock, Latin Rock, and Electronic music as well as local Arts. The event has several stages, each playing live music continuously. The festival will take place Saturday April 30, 2011, at San Jacinto Plaza.

First 1,000 tickets are $25 each, cost goes up to $35 after that.

Check out the band lineup here, http://www.neondesertmusicfestival.com/#bands

CD Premier: World Premiere of the CD "Brahms"

El Paso Pro Musica 100 presents the World Premiere of the CD "Brahms," works for Cello and Piano featuring Zuill Bailey and Awadagin Pratt, Tuesday, March 1, El Adobe Recording Studios, 5301 El Paso Drive, El Paso, Texas. The event begins at 6:00 p.m. and features a special concert, cocktails and culinary delights from fine Chefs. For tickets call 915-833-9400

Open Auditions for a Child Role in 'Madama Butterfly'

WHAT: Auditions for the role of Cio-Cio San’s son
WHEN: Sat., Feb. 19, at 2 p.m.
WHERE: El Paso Public Library Auditorium, 501 N. Oregon St.

El Paso Opera is looking for a child to play the role of “Trouble,” the young son of Cio-Cio San (Madama Butterfly). This is a non-speaking, non-singing role suitable for any child interested in theater; however it does require the ability to take direction.

We're looking for a child age 6-9 who is shorter than 52 inches tall. The child will appear on stage with Emmy-winning soprano Shu-Ying Li. Rehearsals begin in early March and will extend through the Madama Butterfly performance dates of Thursday, March 10, and Saturday, March 12. The Opera will contribute $500.00 to the Texas Tomorrow Fund (http://www.texastomorrowfunds.org/), a pre-paid college tuition plan, for the child selected to play the role. This will be a great adventure for one local child.

Auditions will be held Saturday, Feb. 19, at 2:00 p.m. downtown at the El Paso Public Library Auditorium. The library is located at 501 N. Oregon St.

Information: El Paso Opera 581-5534

Got the right shoes for your next marathon?

It's gotta be the shoes! Here are some foot wear tips for the 2011 El Paso Marathon from Chris Rowley at Up and Running. Learn words like pronate, stride and so much more.

Click here for more information on the 2011 El Paso Marathon.

2.17.11: Jewel Kade Jewelery Party at Pike Street

You're Invited to a JK Party

When: 2/17/2011 at 5:30 p.m.

Where: Pike Street Market207 E Mills Street El Paso, TX 79901

Company Profile

Vintage, contemporary, urban and romantic – Jewel Kade is a fresh take on timeless fashion. It’s worn by those who celebrate life, and those who treasure unforgettable accessories. Handcrafted quality. Intriguing embellishments. Eye-catching artwork. Exclusively from designer Janet Kinkade.

Founded by Janet Kinkade in 2008, Jewel Kade has quickly grown to become one of the nation’s premiere jewelry brands, already appearing on The Today Show, The Ellen Degeneres Show, and American Idol.*

Whether at fun, relaxing Home Parties, casual office gatherings, spontaneous get-togethers, or conveniently online, customers have the advantage of shopping for Jewel Kade through personal Stylists who know Jewel Kade and are committed to excellent service. And with JK’s flexibility, income and leadership opportunities, and sought-after products, Jewel Kade is an ideal career for Stylists across the country.

For orders, product questions, returns and customer service, please contact your JK Stylist. For other questions, contact the JK Corporate Office at info@jewelkade.com or 877-JWL-KADE.

*Citing media references does not imply endorsement of Jewel Kade products in any way by media, related production companies or related spokespersons/personalities.

Click here for more information.

1,000 Free Tacos!

Help Shamaley Ford celebrate reaching 1,000 Facebook Friends! This Tuesday, the Taco Guy will be at Shamaley Ford giving away 1,000 tacos from 2-6 p.m.

Coveted Osaple Chuco-Chula Tee on sale at Klothes Lime

This crazy cute tee landed in my mail box recently from the tee shirt fairy! Created by the designers over at www.osaple.com, this tee is on sale for $15 at Klothes Lime located at 1805 Montana (Cotton), open Tues-Sat 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., 915-256-5942.

About Osaple!
OSAPLE (O-sah-pleh) is a cultural collective with the purpose of projecting El Paso pride. It's a new perspective which always keeps in mind that inherent form of cariño, where no matter how harsh it seems, you know it came from deep in the heart. Our culture is identified by this, adopting everything El Paso encompasses. Osaple simply projects it to the surface.

It's the good, the bad and the “¡ay guéy!” of who WE are and that which defines US. It’s the funny, serious, crazy, controversial and everything in between.

Osaple is a concept formed by a diehard group of El Pasoans who revel in what we are, love where we come from and proudly wear that pin of honor.

Walgreens Volunteers Clean up Scenic Drive

Today was the first clean up to kick off Walgreens, once a month, yearlong commitment to a cleaner and more beautiful El Paso. Walgreens Community Leader, Robert Alvarez, joined more than twenty volunteers from Walgreens to collect trash along Scenic Drive.

I grabbed this photo while making my way up the hill with a trash bag of my own. As a member of the Newman Park Neighborhood Association (which borders Scenic) I try to periodically do my part and collect trash around the neighborhood. What is so rewarding about Walgreens commitment to cleaning up El Paso is their interest in Scenic, one of the city's most trafficked routes for tourism, but a street that not all of the volunteers necessarily live by. Thank you to all the volunteers who showed up from all corners of El Paso.

Visit newmanpark.blogspot.com for news and information on upcoming clean ups along Scenic Drive.

Click here to read the press release announcing the partnership between Keep El Paso Beautiful and Walgreens.