Update:
Due to weather, the Washington National Opera will be moving its Pop Up Opera Truck to the following new time and new location, according to an email from Laura Barclay of the Old Takoma Business Association:
Friday, May 28th, 2021
NEW LOCATION: Parking lot at 6925 Willow St, NW (south side of the building, next to its rehearsal studios)
NEW TIME: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Original:
The Washington National Opera will bring its Pop-Up Opera Truck to the Takoma Streetery on Laurel Avenue this Friday, May 28th from 5:30 to 8 p.m., according to an email from Main Street Takoma.
“Join some of the finest young singers in America as they celebrate the end of their 2020-21 season on home turf, around the corner from the Washington National Opera Studio where they rehearse,” said Laura Barclay of the Old Takoma Business Association in a statement. “This special Pop-Up Opera Truck performance brings its Spring tour to a close with an evening-long celebration of both musical theater and operatic classics, and an intermission performance from their tour partners from The Concert Truck, concert pianist duo Susan Zhang and Nick Luby.
“Enjoy dinner outdoors at one of our local restaurants, grab an available adirondack chair or bring your own folding chair to watch the show!”
The event kicks off at 5:30 p.m. Friday with the Cafritz Young Artists Cabaret, followed by The Concert Truck at 6:30 p.m., and Cafritz Young Artists Opera Karaoke at 7:30 p.m.
According to the Washington National Opera’s website, the Pop-Up Opera Truck was born from the COVID-19 pandemic: “Faced with the challenges of closures due to the pandemic, Washington National Opera decided to take the show on the road and visit neighborhoods in the metropolitan area in person. The Pop-Up Opera Truck, presented by MARS Incorporated on a mobile stage provided by The Concert Truck, has brought performances by WNO’s Cafritz Young Artists across the city on demand.
“In conjunction with community partners and with suggestions from the public via social media, our artists offer short programs of opera and classical music’s greatest hits, meant to spark joy and connection. Inspired by Renée Fleming’s Sound Health initiative at the Kennedy Center, WNO is offering music especially in places where beauty is needed most, in support of our health care workers and the patients and families they serve.”
Photo courtesy Washington National Opera