Independence Day celebrations will look different for many communities around the country this year and a longtime 蜜柚直播 tradition is no exception.
鈥淟et Freedom Sing鈥 has gone virtual, with a premiere that can be accessed at after 2 p.m. Saturday, July 4.
鈥淭he concept here was that we want to give the 蜜柚直播 community something that allows them to take a break from some of the trials that we are all going through right now, whatever they may be, from fires to emotional and social distress to the isolation that so many of us are feeling with COVID-19,鈥 said Matthew Holter, director for 鈥淟et Freedom Sing,鈥 which will mark its 37th year of production by the nonprofit Arts Express.
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鈥淥ne of the best things we can do is to share some of the beloved patriotic music we have and some of the hit songs that make people feel good and tunes that embody warm and positive feelings 鈥 anything from being out in nature to fond memories of things associated with summer, like baseball or what have you.鈥
The local organization is dedicated to building a better community through arts education and musical theater. Last year, it served more than 25,000 people of all ages and diverse cultural and economic backgrounds as cast, crew and audience members. The continuum of programming is comprised of the Arts Express Kids Summer Program (Grades kindergarten through 8); Behind the Scenes: Broadway and More; Monte Awards for high school students; Summer Stock for performers ages 15 to 25; and typically seven annual community theater productions including 鈥淟et Freedom Sing.鈥
The onset of the pandemic resulted in postponement of the summer production of 鈥淲est Side Story鈥 until April 2021 as well as overhauls of the Monte Awards, the Arts Express Kids Summer Program and Summer Stock.
鈥淲e have been doing everything virtually. It is has been a very steep learning curve taking it on and trying to get ready for all of this, but where there鈥檚 a will, there鈥檚 a way,鈥 said Karen Wiese, executive director of Arts Express.
Wiese said they provided a local alternative to the Monte Awards 鈥 traditionally a national competition that culminates in New York City 鈥 by recording student auditions and providing online Zoom reviews and coaching from a professional team of judges, followed by a livestream event.
The Kids Summer Program has also implemented a virtual format: Roles were assigned through a Zoom audition process for Disney鈥檚 鈥淢oana Jr.鈥 and 鈥淭he Lion King Jr.鈥
Students meet online daily in groups while also receiving lines and music to rehearse off screen. After students learn their parts, each child records and uploads his or her performance under the guidance of the Arts Express technical crew. The parts are then compiled into a full video performance. Students will have a virtual 鈥渨atch party鈥 in a few weeks via Zoom.
鈥淲e are figuring out ways to bring kids and actors together through technology. It is a lot of work for the parents ... and for the kids, who are learning how to perform for film, really. They have to stay in the frame and learn how to interact with each other when the other person is not in the same room and all sorts of very interesting things,鈥 said Wiese.
Anthony Allen Taylor will perform the 鈥淏attle Hymn of the Republic鈥 at the USS 蜜柚直播 bell on the University of 蜜柚直播 campus. The broadcast will feature a variety of patriotic songs and contemporary favorites at iconic locations throughout 蜜柚直播.
Technology has also facilitated the production of 鈥淟et Freedom Sing,鈥 which traditionally features a choir, orchestra and crew of more than 200.
鈥淲hen everything started to change with COVID, we had to reconsider the viability of a live performance,鈥 said Holter.
After consulting with vocalists, the production crew and others, Holter made the decision to prerecord the show, which will feature singers Juan Aguirre, Erika Burkhart, Liz Cracchiolo, Jodi Darling, Julia Powers, Chach Snook, Susan Stokes, Dennis Tamblyn, Anthony Allen Taylor and Tyler Wright. Each vocalist has been filmed at locations around 蜜柚直播, including 鈥淎鈥 Mountain, the Pima Air & Space Museum, the Rialto Theatre, Saguaro National Park West, the University of 蜜柚直播 and more.
鈥淚nstead of just using a stage to record the show, we took it a step further and placed performers in iconic locations true to 蜜柚直播. One is recorded near a ranch and there were people on horseback that were riding through the frame and about three seconds after the song ends, you hear a horse whinnying. It sounds almost fake since it was so perfect in terms of timing,鈥 said Holter.
Even prerecorded, the production faced numerous challenges, including schedule disruptions due to city curfews and forced relocation of shots due to the Bighorn Fire.
Holter credited the Arts Express technical production team for their outstanding artistry and skill in bringing the show together and creating highlights such as the Salute to the Armed Forces, which features all of the women vocalists in a medley/mash-up.
鈥淣ormally we have lots of choir music, but the technicians were able to pull them in one at a time and mix them in a kind of virtual choir which is very different than a traditional choir sound. Khris Dodge is our musical director and he really put together a fantastic arrangement,鈥 said Holter.
The male vocalists also come together virtually with 鈥淗ard Times Come Again No More,鈥 a piece written in the 1800s by Stephen Foster of 鈥淐amptown Races鈥 fame.
鈥淭his is an inspiring piece about how the human spirit can overcome adversity with a great sense of community, which is something that we have here in 蜜柚直播. This song speaks about how you and I can take a moment and consider how things look in terms of our particular lives and how we can make things better. It speaks to the heart of our city and will be really encouraging for people to hear,鈥 Holter said.
Those who produced 鈥淟et Freedom Sing鈥 2020 believe that it will be uplifting for 蜜柚直播ans on this untraditional Fourth of July. Wiese said she is hopeful that those who are able will be moved to contribute to Arts Express as it contends with increased technical expenses and seeks to continue its mission during these uncertain times.
鈥淲e don鈥檛 have venue expenses right now, but there are so many expenses that go along with making all of this happen, and people don鈥檛 want to pay as much for something online as they do for a live performance, so that makes it tough,鈥 she said.
Ultimately, Wiese is determined that Arts Express and other performing arts organizations will manage to move forward.
鈥淚 believe that people need the arts. What would this world be right now if we didn鈥檛 have them? So many people are being drawn back in and listening to music and playing instruments just to try to stay sane through all of this,鈥 Wiese said. 鈥 I believe in the value of live theater and we will get it back. In the meantime, we will figure out unique ways to deliver the performing arts.鈥
Photos for May 29: 蜜柚直播 gets by during Coronavirus Pandemic
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic
The iconic Casa Molina bull and matador statue both sport masks on the first full week of the loosening of COVID19 restrictions, May 23, 2020, 蜜柚直播, Ariz. The bull previously had a mask on the testicles.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Michelle Leon Cordova, right, mother, and her son Sahuarita High School senior Lino Cordova, whom is fighting cancer, wave at staff members from Diamonds Children Center, friends and the Marana Police Department during a car parade, celebrating Lino's graduation, outside of his home on May 13, 2020 in Sahuarita, Ariz. Cordova stood on the sidewalk while the team from Diamond Children Center, friends and the Marana police department gave Cordova a graduation gar parade. Cordova was given a gift basket with his favorite snacks, gift cards as well as other items he enjoys. The car parade, also, celebrated another graduating senior fighting cancer from Empire High School, Noah Nieto. Nieto, also, received a gift basket with snacks, gift cards and other items Lino enjoys.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Michelle Leon Cordova, right, mother, brings celebration balloons to a car after staff members from Diamonds Children Center, friends and the Marana Police Department celebrate Sahuarita High School senior Lino Cordova, whom is fighting cancer, graduation with a car parade outside of his home on May 13, 2020 in Sahuarita, Ariz. Cordova stood on the sidewalk while the team from Diamond Children Center, friends and the Marana police department gave Cordova a graduation gar parade. Cordova was given a gift basket with his favorite snacks, gift cards as well as other items he enjoys. The car parade, also, celebrated another graduating senior fighting cancer from Empire High School, Noah Nieto. Nieto, also, received a gift basket with snacks, gift cards and other items Lino enjoys.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Personnel from 蜜柚直播 Medical Center line the heliport to watch A-10's from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base's 355th Wing and F-16's from the 蜜柚直播 Air National Guard's 162nd Wing make a pass over the facility, one leg of an area wide community flyover, May 14, 2020, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Nancy Celix-Campos, right, a respitory therapist at 蜜柚直播 Medical Center, watches the military flyover with her daughters, Giana, 12, and Jazmyn, 8, from Sentinel Peak on May 14, 2020. Two F-16 Fighting Falcons from 蜜柚直播 Air National Guard脮s 162nd Wing and two A-10 Thunderbolt II's from the 355th Wing, assigned to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, fly over 蜜柚直播 area hospitals to honor healthcare personnel and first responders as they are some of the frontline workers dealing with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) head on. "It's been an exhausting two to three months," says Campos, "it's pretty cool, I like how they're going by each hospital."
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Two F-16 Fighting Falcons from 蜜柚直播 Air National Guard鈥檚 162nd Wing and two A-10 Thunderbolt II's from the 355th Wing, assigned to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, fly over Northwest Medical Center north of 蜜柚直播 on May 14, 2020.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic
A letter carrier portrait on the Ok Market building, located in the Armory Park neighborhood, is adorned with a face mask on May 18, 2020.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Rosemary Garcia waits for a family member outside of a store at Park Place Mall, 5870 E. Broadway Blvd., in 蜜柚直播, Ariz. on May 19, 2020. Malls reopened today under CDC guidelines and Gov. Ducey's new rules for businesses due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Park Place Mall has signs throughout the mall reminding customers to keep a six feet distance as well as hand sanitizer stations near each entrance. About half of the tables in the food court have been removed to allow for social distances as well as less than half of the stores have opened with new guidelines. Of the stores open, only 10 customers are allowed to shop in each store at a time.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Pat Schlote steams clothing before it is put on the sales floor at the Golden Goose Thrift Shop in Catalina, Ariz., on May 21, 2020.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Ada Contreras, teaching assistant, looks through containers while reorganizing toys at Herencia Guadalupana Lab School, 6740 S. in 蜜柚直播, Ariz. on May 21, 2020. As Child care centers begin to re-open when they are ready, Herencia Guadalupana Lab School is reorganizing and cleaning everything in the facility before re-opening on June 2. To allow for social distancing and decrease the amount of items children touch, Herencia Guadalupana Lab School has sheds where items will go as well as placing items in containers organized by category.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Jen Martinez, right, softball coach, teaches Skylar Reilly about hitting during a session at Centerfield Baseball Academy, 5120 S. Julian Dr., in 蜜柚直播, Ariz. on May 21, 2020. After re-opening on Monday, Centerfield Baseball Academy has implemented new policies in response to the Coronavirus Pandemic such as wearing masks, cleaning, signage, hand sanitizer and limiting the amount of people inside the facility.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Karl Bosma, left, and George Cantua, with facilities and maintenance, lay down stickers to mark six-foot separation distance around one of the baggage carousels, part of the efforts at 蜜柚直播 International Airport to work within the restrictions of COVID19, May 22, 2020, 蜜柚直播, Ariz.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic
A lone passenger waits for a flight near one of the shuttered restaurants in the B Gates before Memorial Day at 蜜柚直播 International Airport on May 22, 2020.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Drew Cooper on the stage in the St. Philip's Plaza courtyard, May 22, 2020, 蜜柚直播, Ariz., where live music is back on the schedule.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Many people visit Tumamoc Hill during the first day of Tumamoc's re-opening in 蜜柚直播, Ariz. on May 25, 2020. After being closed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Tumamoc Hill re-opened with some modifications. There are hand sanitizer stations throughout the hike to the top as well as arrows, spaced 10-ft apart, lined up and down the hill. Some runners, hikers and walkers are also wearing masks during their hike. "The steps we are taking aim to provide our community with needed exercise, connection to our beautiful desert and a sense of comfort in such a trying time, while balancing the fact that gathering as a community endangers each of us and our loved ones. This is an unprecedented challenge that we are taking extremely seriously," said Benjamin T. Wilder, director of Tumamoc Hill. Visitors are also asked to limit their group to three people and to not touch the gate at the top of the hill- a tradition for some who make it to the top. "This is a time when we need to establish new traditions and adapt in a creative manner that embraces empathy, unity, care and patience," Wilder said.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Pen Macias, artist, works on part 2 of a mural for a client on E. Broadway Rd., between S. Columbus Blvd. and S. Alvernon Way, in 蜜柚直播, Ariz. on May 25, 2020. Macias, known as The Desert Pen, has been working on her clients mural for the past three months. "It's the one thing I love, I have a passion for and the only thing I could be happy doing," said Macias. The mural represents her client, a single mother of four who works in the health care field. One half of the mural is dedicated to the connection between mothers and their children. The other half is dedicated to the connection between nurses and patients. The client wanted some positivity in the mural to show how nurses give a piece of themselves to their patients hence the puzzle pieces in the nurse and the patients, said Macias.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Christina Cortinas, posing at her home, May 28, 2020, 蜜柚直播, Ariz., with a photo of her and her mother, Catherine Rodriguez, in San Diego, 1991. Rodriguez is currently in assisted living and fighting COVID19. Cortinas hasn't seen her mother in months, the longest such span in her life.
蜜柚直播 gets by during coronavirus pandemic
Ruben Lopez looks through handouts while attending a Eviction Resource Fair with his family outside the Pima County Justice Court.
Contact freelance writer Loni Nannini at ninch2@comcast.net
