Opera-matic WORKSHOPs

 JOYFUL PASSAGE Workshops

In preparation for the SIMONS PARK SERENADE event August 20,  2016, Opera-Matic helped people of all ages get their song on.  Workshops included: 

Afro-Caribbean Percussion and PeaceFlag Workshop    

Sat, Sep 10 2016 · 11:00 am - 1:00 pm at the Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, 4046 W. Armitage

Gear up for the Walk with Peace and Music celebration at this hands–on workshop featuring flag-making with Opera-Matic and an introduction to Cuban Rumba and Puerto Rican Bomba with World Music Festival Artists, ÌFÉ.

Simons Park Treasure Mapping & Treasure Singing

July 19 & August 5, 2016   |  Simons Park Field House  |  1640 N. Drake

Participants discovered hidden gems within Simons Park, then wrote odes at our Serenade Station with a helping hand from Opera-Matic musicians.   We had an exciting time building community by celebrating neighborhood assets and making new friends, in preparation for the grand Simons Park Serenade event on August 20, 2016. 

Odes and Jingles to Humboldt Park
April 30, 2016  |  11:00 am - 12:30 pm  |  Humboldt Park Boathouse

Bring your whole family, and sing songs about your park!  Workshop is from 11 am to 12:30 pm. Pizza and lemonade provided afterwards.  RSVP for this free workshop.

Serenade Stand at Humboldt Park Earth Day
April 23, 2016  |  11:00 am to 1:00 pm  |  1440 N. Humboldt Dr.  

Participants sang praises at our Serenade Stand at the Humboldt Park Earth Day Celebration.   Odes were created about loved ones, schools, pets and special destinations.  Opera-Matic's own Mark Messing received the 2016 Humboldt Park Earth Day Award for his hard work developing vital community arts programming.  Check out the fun we had HERE. 

The Great 606 Challenge  |  April 2nd 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm  |  On the 606 Bloomingdale Trail at Spaulding

On April 2nd Opera-Matic participated in "The Great 606 Challenge," which was  a cross between a scavenger hunt and The Amazing Race.   Although the weather did not cooperate, participants were in great spirits and created poems and odes to the windy day!  After working with poet Cin Salach, one family started a new tradition of writing family poems.   

Lights and Lullabies Community Practice Workshop!
In preparation for May 8th and 9th, we offered a select number of workshops that explore the lullaby as a means of taking care of ourselves and others.  Intergenerational groups, family groups, and other groups had the opportunity to partake in a special 1 to 1 ½ hour workshop, especially designed to explore as a group how people can comfort and be comforted by being a group together. These workshops were specially designed for the needs of each group but touched on:
    •    Singing, calling, and responding- how the language of song teaches us new ways to communicate.
    •    Moving in lines, circles, and herds - group movement and singing.
    •    Using props - how we use things like flags, puppets, and lights to call attention to ourselves as a group.

Community Singing Public Practice!

Community singing practices were lead by musical groups Conjunto Maniqua, The Sing Song Project, and Ami Saraiya & Friends.