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Freeman Stage announces 2013 Off Stage Series

Performances to feature Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Scottish singer Julie Fowlis and Washington National Opera artists
September 28, 2013

The Joshua M. Freeman Foundation and The Freeman Stage at Bayside will be presenting three unique performances this fall as part of the 2013 Off Stage Series. The Off Stage Series will include Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Julie Fowlis’ Music of the Scottish Isles, and the Washington National Opera’s Domingo-Cafritz Young Artist Program. The concerts will be held at the Owens Campus of Delaware Technical Community College, in the theatre of the Arts & Science Center, located in Georgetown.

The multi-Grammy and Billboard Latin Music award-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra, who will perform Friday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m., has established itself as one of the most formidable Latin jazz ensembles working today. The 13-member ensemble, led by Oscar Hernández, has led the resurgence of interest in the salsa music that emerged from the streets of New York City in the 1960s and 1970s. This engagement of Spanish Harlem Orchestra is made possible through funding by the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation.

It is little wonder that when Disney Pixar ("Finding Nemo," "Toy Story," "Up") were searching for the perfect, authentic singing voice to feature in the soundtrack to "Brave," the 3D animated blockbuster set in 10th century Scotland, their research led them to one of the country’s true contemporary treasures – Julie Fowlis, who ended up singing the film’s theme song, Touch the Sky. Brought up on North Uist in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, Fowlis - who will be performing Sunday, Oct. 20, at 2 p.m. – has been a proud standard bearer for Gaelic music and culture over the course of a solo career which has spanned three highly acclaimed studio albums. Following a highly acclaimed sell-out spring tour in the USA’s east coast in April this year, Julie continues her series of Music of the Scottish Isles concerts across more states this Fall. This engagement of Julie Fowlis, which is free to the public, is made possible by a grant from Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Washington National Opera, performing Friday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m., will feature their Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists Program, which guides young singers, accompanists, conductors and stage directors on the verge of international careers. The program provides intensive study with renowned vocal and drama coaches, and offers voice lessons, language classes, career guidance and master classes from staff and guest artists. The Young Artists also have the opportunity to perform and cover roles on the main stage of Washington National Opera. Graduates of the Program have gone on to successful careers including performances at the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Santa Fe Opera, the National Symphony Orchestra, Weill Recital Hall, Los Angeles Opera, Canterbury Opera in New Zealand, Staatsoper Berlin, Teatro Real in Madrid, and Opéra de Monte-Carlo, among others.

This latest event that is being held at Delaware Technical Community College is part of a continued partnership between Delaware Technical Community College & the Freeman Foundations, who are both committed to bringing rich cultural experiences to the area while also giving back to their communities. Earlier in 2013, the Carl M. Freeman Foundation was a major sponsor of the Starry, Starry Night Gala, which was held at the Owens Campus. Proceeds from that evening are used to provide scholarships and hands-on learning tools for students.

Tickets for the Spanish Harlem Orchestra and Washington National Opera Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists performances are $11 each, and should be purchased ahead of time at www.freemanstage.org due to an expected large turnout on that evening. Kids 18 and under are free! The Owens Campus is conveniently situated at the intersection of Route 113 and Seashore Highway, Route 18/404 in Georgetown.

The Joshua M. Freeman Foundation was formed in 2007 following the untimely death of Josh Freeman. The Freeman Stage at Bayside, a program of the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation, is an outdoor performing arts venue located off Route 54 in the Bayside community in Selbyville. Its programs are open to the public and are typically presented between Memorial Day & Labor Day each year. Go to www.freemanfoundation.org or www.freemanstage.org, or call 302-436-3015, for more information about the Joshua M. Freeman Foundation and The Freeman Stage at Bayside.

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