#CurbsideOpera: El Paso Opera is bringing music to the Borderland at a safe distance
EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- As the pandemic continues, one local arts group is making the best of a tough situation, while bringing joy to others in the best way they know how.
#CurbsideOpera is a new project by El Paso Opera. Singers are trading a stage in a performance hall for the back of a pickup truck (one that is fully equipped with speakers and microphones).
"We've had a couple of programs where we do go out into the community for free performances, but all of that was cancelled because of the shelter-in-place and Covid-19 restrictions," said Arianne Marcee, the executive director of El Paso Opera. "This was really our way of pivoting from the plans that we had to try to make some lemonade out of the lemons that came with this quarantine."
The performances might look different, but the songs remain the same. Shows are popping up throughout the Borderland this summer. On June 9, the group performed at local food banks for some of the families impacted by the pandemic. Other surprise shows have taken place outside the homes of longtime supporters, who organizers know are isolating alone.
"We know that so many people were restricted to their homes and feeling lonely and isolated from each other," Marcee said. "so it was a wonderful way for us to reach out to the community and hopefully brighten their day a little by bringing them some music."
Throughout June, the concerts are scheduled to take place Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You can follow the El Paso Opera on social media for information about upcoming performances.
