Takoma Theatre Conservancy - Takoma Theatre Conservancy

[Mar 2011] The Takoma Theatre Conservancy sponsored two benefit performances of the opera "Let Freedom Sing: The Story of Marian Anderson".  The composer Bruce Adolphe and librettist Carolivia Herron (Conservancy VP) interconnected African American and classical musical forms, and incorporated scenes and characters of Washington, DC.  The first [March 24th] performance was a benefit for the Takoma EC, while the Gala evening performance on March 25th was in support of saving the Takoma Theatre. [more photos . . .]

[August, 2010] The one-hour opera, "Let Freedom Sing: The Story of Marian Anderson," which premiered at the Atlas Theater in 2009, was specifically written for young Washington, DC audiences to engage them in the creative, dynamic and inspiring history of Washington, DC.  Commissioned by the Washington National Opera and the Washington Performing Arts Society, the opera commemorates the 70th anniversary of Marian Anderson’s 1939 concert on the Washington Mall when she was not allowed to sing at Constitution Hall. The composer Bruce Adolphe and librettist Carolivia Herron (Conservancy VP) gave the opera particular community appeal by interconnecting African American and classical musical forms, and by incorporating scenes and characters of Washington, DC. One of the main characters, in fact, is a senior currently living in the target Brightwood/ Georgia Avenue NIF area. The Takoma Theatre Conservancy will sponsor four performance of the opera in March 2011: a performance for children at the Takoma Education Center (TEC) and another school in the NIF target area; and two performances for seniors and the community, one at TEC and one at the nearby Washington Ethical Society.

[March, 2010] Over 30 poets and writers, 50-100 years of age, participated in the readings and contest at the Takoma Education Center. The event also celebrated the re-establishment of Sisterspace and Books in DC Ward 4, near the Petworth Metro station, by co-founder Faye Williams. (photos . . .)

[March, 2010] Over 50 people attended the second annual performance of the Takoma Park Community Band with Maestro Gerald Younger at The Electric Maid in Takoma DC. The concert, also sponsored by The Takoma DC Neighborhood Association and the Northgate Kiwanis Club of DC and MD, additionally included readings by Dr. Carolivia Herron from her new work, Peacesong, about growing up in Washington, DC.

[September, 2009] Ward 4 night at The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Free For All performances at the Carter Barron amphitheatre have been an annual summer tradition. This year's production, Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, moved to the new state-of-the-art theatre Sidney Harman Hall. Once again Ward 4 residents were able to attend through the sponsorship of Councilmember Muriel Bowser. To highlight the inauguration of the new venue for the event, the Conservancy arranged and sponsored the pre-play jazz musical presentations of drummer Jason Walker and keyboardist Jan Ozment.

[April, 2009] To mark its two-year anniversary, the Conservancy hosted a reception for the community on April 20th at the Washington Ethical Society. Highlighting the reception were performances by several local vocal artists (photo: Lea Wilson). A discussion period on how the theatre could best serve all parts of north Washington DC and nearby Takoma Park and Silver Spring, MD followed a brief presentation by the Conservancy on its efforts to raise funds and conduct studies needed to save and revive the Takoma Theatre as a cultural arts and education center.

[March, 2009] Commissioned by Washington Performing Arts Society(WPAS) and co-produced and co-presented by Washington National Opera (WNO) and WPAS, the opera animates the inspiring story of the great American singer Marian Anderson, whose talent and desire to share her music gave her admirers the determination to overcome the obstacles of racial discrimination and made her an icon of the civil rights movement. This year marks the 70th anniversary of Miss Anderson's landmark public performance at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939. (more photos . . .)
The score of Let Freedom Sing: The Story of Marian Anderson is informed by Anderson's broad repertoire, especially the spirituals and works by Bach and Schubert she sang during her long career. In addition to the premiere, WNO and WPAS are presenting the opera at in-school performances." (Washington National Opera Newsletter, March 2009)

[March, 2009] The first in planned annual celebrations of "Beyond Black History Month"  was inaugurated at the Trinity Episcopal Church, Takoma DC with performances by the Takoma Park Community Band with Maestro Gerald Younger.  The concert, also sponsored by The Takoma DC Neighborhood Association and the Northgate Kiwanis Club of DC and MD, additionally included readings by Dr. Carolivia Herron and friends from her new opera, "Let Freedom Sing: The Story of Marian Anderson" (more photos . . .)

[June, 2008] The Memories of Takoma Theatre project is part of the larger effort by the Takoma Theatre Conservancy to preserve the theatre and record its history as a major character in the life of the neighborhood. Dr. Herron will lead the effort to collect community members’ memories and oral histories related to the Theatre and its part in the life of the neighborhood. The project is funded by a Preservation Heritage grant from the Humanities Council of Washington, DC, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.