The Opera Omaha Guild is a group of men and women dedicated to supporting the Company with fundraising and opera education efforts. Members plan and promote events such as Cotillion (etiquette classes for area six graders), an Annual Gala,
the Burgers & Bordeaux chef competition, and Spirits of the Opera wine event.
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2010 - 2011 Opera Omaha Guild - Executive Committee
Jenn Locke | President
Mark Hinrichs | Past President
Vernie Jones | VP Social
Lisa Hagstrom | VP Membership
Jennifer Taylor | VP Fundraising
Debbie Hart | Treasurer
Deana Walocha | Corresponding Secretary
Christine Aranda | Recording Secretary
President-Elect (position not yet filled)
VP Education (position not yet filled)
Sheila McNeill | Membership Drive
Joan O'Brien | Membership Drive
Sally Lusk
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Click the brochure below to print and mail the membership form.
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Jane Hill, Fred Simon, and Eve Simon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Opera Omaha Guild honored Eve and Fred Simon with a Celebration Dinner on Saturday March 27, at the Hilton Omaha.
Omaha, NE — For over 40 years, Eve and Fred Simon have trumpeted the benefits of having an opera company in Omaha. They have also supported many other cultural organizations throughout the metro area, as well as Opera Theatre of St. Louis and Santa Fe Opera. As a way of saying “thank you” and honoring their dedication, the Opera Omaha Guild hosted a celebration dinner entitled “Celebrate Opera – Celebrate Eve & Fred Simon” on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at the Hilton Omaha – 1001 Cass Street. Richard Holland served as the honorary chair.
Were it not for Eve and Fred Simon’s generous investment of time, talent, and treasure, Opera Omaha would be a vastly different and less dynamic company, and Omaha’s cultural landscape would be infinitely less rich and diverse.
The evening began at 6:30 pm with a cocktail reception. Dinner, entertainment, and special recognition followed, featuring the Opera Omaha Voices in Residence, actors, Nils Haaland and Jill Anderson, and with emcee duties being performed by Hal France, former Opera Omaha Artistic Director and current Executive Director of the KANEKO. Chuck Penington, J. Gawf, Resident Music Director at Opera Omaha, and the Opera Omaha Chorus were also featured.
More than 250 people attended the event and over $87,000 were raised.
The chairs for the event were Jan Buckingham and Mary Ellen Mulcahy. Committee members included Linda Matson Andersen, Shari Frey, Lisa Hagstrom, Debbie Hart, Tim Hart, Connie Heiden, Ruth Keene, Mike Klug, Jennifer Locke, Mary Ann Strasheim, Richard White and Mark Hinrichs, president of the Opera Omaha Guild.
Jane Hill, former General Director of Opera Omaha and James de Blasis, director of many productions in the early history of Opera Omaha and former General Director of Cincinnati Opera, attended and spoke about the Simons’ contributions. Legacy Preservation conducted interviews and wrote testimonials from local Arts Organization leaders as well as from Marc Scorca President and CEO of OPERA America that were included in the program book. A proclamation by Governor David Heinemann was read at the event declaring March 27th as Eve and Fred Simon Day for their contributions to the state of Nebraska and opera nationally.
Co-chair Mary Ellen Mulcahy said she received many phone calls from attendees the day after the event with compliments about the “beautiful and fun evening” they had.
Proceeds from the evening help support Opera Omaha’s educational and outreach programs. The Opera Omaha Guild, creator of programs such as Wine Seller, Cotillion, Burgers and Bordeaux, and others set the standard for Omaha’s creative volunteer support groups. The Guild stimulates interest among people of all walks of life in and generating significant financial support for Opera Omaha programs. Largely due to Guild support, more than 15,000 people throughout Nebraska, western Iowa and eastern South Dakota, annually participate in and benefit from one of the Company's educational or community programs.
Opera Omaha, the only professional opera company in Nebraska, began in 1958 as the Omaha Civic Opera Society. Opera Omaha produces a season of original mainstage productions, presented at the historic Orpheum Theater, and increasing numbers of smaller productions and musical events that educate, engage, and enrich the entire community.