WHO: Florida Grand Opera
WHAT: The ZIP CODE (Zone Improvement Plan/Community Opera Delivered Equitably) Tour
WHEN: February 27–March 3, 2024 in Miami-Dade County and March 5–9 in Broward County
WHERE: Locations throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties.
WHY: Florida Grand Opera is seeking venues for its ZIP CODE Tour, a new initiative designed to bring free opera performances to nontraditional venues in a wide range of zip codes throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties
Florida Grand Opera is seeking performance locations in Miami-Dade and Broward counties for its new ZIP CODE Tour. ZIP stands for Zone Improvement Plan, CODE stands for Community Opera Delivered Equitably, and the project was inspired by Opera Memphis’ “Thirty Days of Opera.” The initiative is designed to bring opera performances to nontraditional venues throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. The concerts are performed by the Florida Grand Opera Studio Artists at no charge to presenting organizations and audiences, making live opera more accessible than ever before.
“The goal for the ZIP CODE Tour is to engage with all of Miami-Dade and Broward County, not just the theaters and places we usually visit,” says Director of Artistic Administration Matt Cooksey. “We want opera to be more accessible, more enjoyable, and to reach more people.”
The tour features the artists of the renowned Florida Grand Opera Studio, including soprano Sara Kennedy, mezzo-soprano Taylor-Alexis DuPont, tenor Joseph McBrayer, baritone Joseph Canuto Leon, and bass-baritone Keith Klein. Repertoire includes popular opera arias, Broadway songs, and ensembles. The tours run February 27 – March 3, 2024 in Miami-Dade County and from March 5–9, 2023 in Broward County, with performances in libraries, churches, schools, condominiums, and other public and private venues. Florida Grand Opera is seeking additional venues to host the free concerts, each of which is approximately 60–75 minutes long and family-friendly. Venues must be indoors and seat between 100–500 people. A piano is preferred but not required. Interested host organizations should contact Matt Cooksey, Director of Artistic Administration, at artistic@fgo.org or at 305.403.3293.
Support for the ZIP CODE concerts is provided in part by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Broward County Cultural Division, and the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs.
“We believe opera is for everyone,” says Neil Nelson, Samuel M. Townsend Studio Artist Program Manager. “We are fiercely passionate about this art form and want to share it with as many people as we can. As a singer and artist administrator, I know from personal experience that when people encounter opera up close and personal as they do in these tours, they can’t help but fall in love with it. And it enriches their lives.”
A brief interview about the ZIP CODE Tour and Studio Artist Program featuring Cooksey, Nelson, and news anchor Christine DiMattei appears on WLRN’s website.
An updated list of dates, times, and locations will be posted on fgo.org as information becomes available.