Long Beach Opera, the Office of Long Beach Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, and the Arts Council of Long Beach to Co-Sponsor THE BARD, THE QUEEN AND THE CLASH

On Thursday evening, January 12, 2017, Long Beach Opera (LBO), the Office of Long Beach Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, and the Arts Council of Long Beach will co-sponsor THE BARD, THE QUEEN AND THE CLASH: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM THROUGH THE PRISM OF CHICANO ART, a discussion with the California-based performance troupe Culture Clash about the Chicano Theater movement, artistic collaboration, satirical comedy, and everything in between. The presentation will be held at 7:00 PM in the new Michelle Obama Library, Long Beach, California.

This "Coincidence" is LBO's first event of the 2017 season in anticipation of its season opener on January 22 and 28, 2017 of The Fairy Queen, a contemporary adaptation of Henry Purcell's 1692 reimagination of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Culture Clash and LBO's Artistic and General Director Andreas Mitisek collaborate to put their spin on this immortal tale of lovers gone astray. The on-stage fun will be accompanied by Long Beach's Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra conducted by its Director, Martin Haselböck.

"We are very pleased to co-sponsor this compelling event at the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library," stated Vice Mayor Rex Richardson. "The interactive panel discussion on The Bard, The Queen and the Clash is another meaningful way to actively engage the community in the arts."

The Bard, The Queen and the Clash will feature Culture Clash, founded by Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza, and will be moderated by Griselda Suarez, Executive Director of the Arts Council, and Anna Sandoval Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Chicano Studies, Cal State Long Beach. The discussion will include an overview of the Chicano Theater movement and Culture Clash will comment on its historical influences, multicultural artistic vision, and its perspective on contemporary satirical comedy.

A lively open dialogue with the audience and participants will follow the presentation.

EVENT: The Bard, The Queen and The Clash: A Midsummer Night's Dream Through the Prism of Chicano Art

• Co-Moderators: Griselda Suarez, Executive Director of the Arts Council for Long Beach and Anna Sandoval Ph.D, Chair of the Department of Chicano Studies, Cal State Long Beach.

• Panelists: Culture Clash: Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas, and Herbert Sigüenza.

Co-Sponsors: Long Beach Opera (LBO), the Office of Vice Mayor Rex Richardson, District 9, and Arts Council of Long Beach (ACLB)

Location: Michelle Obama Library, 5870 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90805
(Library phone: (562) 570-1047)

Cost: Free. RSVP required (reserve seat through LBO website)

Date: Thursday, January 12, 2017

Time: 7:00pm- 8:30pm