CURTAIN UP - LATEST NEWS

After several years as Technical Manager and Facilities Manager (together with Karin Divià) and many, many shows at the sound desk, work is taking Jon Nixon away from Geneva. Please join us in wishing him the very best in his future endeavours.

His departure will leave a vacancy in the Committee. Also, while the current members are happy to continue doing the jobs you elected them for, we would like to encourage any GAOS member who would like to stand to do so. Get in touch if you'd like to know more!

The peaceful backwaters of the Rhône River in Peney provided a perfect setting for young and very long-time GAOS members to share picnic treats on the 24th of June. Most of the group walked the 50 or so minutes from our HQ, following along the Nant d'Avril stream through the forest. The weather was perfect and the conversations enjoyable. A number of our predictably faithful members sent their regrets due to their participation in Geneva's Fête de la Musique, as one might expect! All agreed, "Let's do it again."

The move upstairs has been delayed due to planning permission issues. The Facilities Sub-Committee is working hard with the building owners, architects and cantonal authorities to solve the issues. We will keep you updated as and when we have more news. In the meantime, the costumes store is being sorted and cleared up, ready to move, whenever that may be.

We have booked the Théâtre de Marens for next year's spring show. The reserved dates are 13th May (move-in) to 26th May, with performances scheduled for Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th. Now all we need is a show!

All proposals will be taken into consideration. We can also help finding team members if needed.

The GAOS Choral Group likes to have a summer activity each year - just to keep people in voice (because the vocal cords, like every other muscle need to be used regularly!!).  This year, we have a weekend of music planned for the 7th, 8th and 9th of July during which we will be working on choral songs by some of the composers of the early 20th century and late 19th century (such as Edward Elgar, Charles Villiers Stanford, Hubert Parry).  

Directing the weekend will be Julian McNamara, well-known to many GAOS members.  Whilst he was in Geneva he was not only studying at the Conservatoire de Musique and organist and choirmaster at Holy Trinity Church but was also Musical Director of several GAOS spring shows (notably The Mikado and My Fair Lady).  Julian also conducted the GAOS Choral Group for some concerts and Christmas carol evenings.  He is now Head of the Department of Music at Downside Public School, close to Bath in Somerset, UK.

Sessions will be held at GAOS HQ (on Friday) and at the Salle Communale de Founex (Saturday and Sunday) and will be followed on Sunday evening by an informal concert and an apéro dinatoire. 

Please note that any member of GAOS is very welcome to join the weekend (cost CHF 50 per person) even if they have not so far sung with the Choral Group. For more information on the schedule for the weekend, please contact the Choral Group.

In the context of the Celebrations for 150 years of the Emmanuel Church in Geneva, the Library in English is pleased to announce a One-Day Book Sale and Tea-Room, Saturday 10th June, 10h - 17h, to be held outside in the garden. The Library would welcome donations of baked goods for the Tea-Room, to be taken in on Thursday afternoon, Friday evening, or Saturday morning. Let them know if you can take something. The Library will be open throughout the hours of the sale.

Auditions for our next panto, Pinocchio, will be held next week, on Thursday 8th and Saturday 10th for adults, and on Sunday 11th for children. You can find the audition pack and registration form here. Some slots are still available. Don't miss out, it's going to be a whale of a show!

Please meet at HQ at 11h30, where our picnics, rugs and chairs can be loaded into the cars of anyone wanting to join the picnic but not walk. The drivers can drive the 8 minutes to the picnic site and set up camp whilst they wait for the walkers to join them, or even walk back towards HQ to meet the walking group.  After lunch those that left their cars at HQ will walk back.

If you fancy the walk but don’t fancy a picnic there is a very nice restaurant at Peney Dessous - Café de Peney were you could enjoy a good lunch but you will need to book - tel: 022 753 17 55.

GEDS is offering GAOS members a discount for their upcoming production. Discount code is gaos23 and it is valid until and including the 23rd of May. Details on the performance follow.

A Raisin in the Sun

by Lorraine Hansberry

Directed by Rick Vincent

6 - 10 June 2023

Le Manège, Onex

Tues 6 - Fri 9 June at 20h00

Sat 10 June at 19h00

Info & Tickets: www.geds.ch

“What happens to a dream deferred? / Does it dry up / Like a raisin in the sun?”  - 'Harlem, Dreams Deferred' by Langston Hughes

This seminal and widely critically acclaimed play presents the story of the struggles and aspirations of a black family in 1950s America during segregation.

Set in south Chicago in the humble apartment of a working class African-American family trying to escape poverty, the play deals with racism but also explores individual dreams, aspirations, and  conflicts both within the family and between them and the outside world. A show not to be missed!

Starring: Emanita Bailey, Tinashe Chikowore, Christopher Green, Leonardo Jelmini, Joanita Kalibala, Andrea Ogbonna-James, and Frederick Vaamonde

Opening Night patrons are invited to join cast and crew after the show for a glass of bubbly!

Le Manège Venue Access website: https://www.geneve.ch/fr/manege-onex