Brünhilde Parties Being Planned

If you make one resolution for the coming new year, commit to attending a Brünhilde Party with the Toledo Opera Guild!

These fun events -- hosted by guild members as passionate about supporting the Toledo Opera as Brünhilde was for Siegfried in Wagner's "Ring" -- are smaller-scale fundraisers that also introduce prospective members to the Toledo Opera Guild's mission and fellowship.

Guild president Cindy Niggemyer, guild members Shirley Joseph and Waafa Hanna, and Toledo Opera executive director Suzanne Rorick are among the hostesses planning teas, brunches, yoga sessions, art workshops, and other gatherings.

Chairman Laura Draheim is on the hunt for more party organizers. She is especially counting on Brünhilde Parties to keep the guild's momentum going strong through the spring, between the "Susannah" opera production (mid-February) and the Phashion of the Opera event (April 29).

Show your strength and prowess and become your own Brünhilde, generously donating your time and resources to plan and underwrite a gathering. The guild can help design invitations and promote your event. Small ticket fees or other money collected by guests will go straight to the Toledo Opera.

For questions or to volunteer, contact Laura at ldraheim3434@att.net or 419-475-1720.

It ain't over until ... the Toledo Opera Guild throws some more parties!

RSVP for Celebrity Wait Night 2015 by Jan. 20

Space is limited for our fabulous Celebrity Wait Night fundraiser Jan. 26 at La Scola Italian Grill, so make sure to send in your RSVPs as soon as possible. You can download and print out the cards below.

Please indicate your entree choice and celebrity waiter, if you have a preference for a table. See you there!

Links: Menu; Waiter List

Call event chairman Barb Bettinger at 419-392-8020 with any questions.

Celebrity Waiters to Collect 'Tips'

The Toledo Opera Guild's upcoming Diamonds and Denim Celebrity Wait Night -- Jan. 26 at La Scola Italian Grill -- will feature some special guests as waiters.

Mary Bilyeu, food editor for The Blade newspaper; John Tharp, sheriff of Lucas County; and Sanna Orra and Jay Berschback, reporter and chief meteorologist, respectively, for WTVG-TV, will join other Toledo Opera supporters and guild members as head waiters at tables full of hungry and happy guests.

Mailed invitations will be arriving after the holidays. Please indicate on your RSVP card at which waiter's table you would like to sit.

Other waiters include:

Carol Sizemore (with Sheriff Tharp)
Barbara Brown
Mike and Sharon Sordyl
Barbara Baker
Janna Lake and JoAnn Phipps
Sandra Honemann
Beth Bowman and Jane Wurth
Susan Conda
Diane Rusk and Marina Lung
Sandra Seiple
Dan and Rebecca Kleiboemer
Alexandra McMaster and Melissa Noe Freeman

Click here for La Scola's menu for the evening, which includes an entree choice of manicotti, steak, fish or chicken. A house salad and caramel pecan tiramisu will bookend the lovely meal, which starts at 7 p.m. following a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. at the restaurant's cash bar.

Entertainment will be provided by The Pickers, a group of guitarists from the northwest Ohio area. Guests are encouraged to wear fancy denim dress as the guild continues its Diamonds and Denim theme for the season.

Tickets are $45, which will mainly cover the cost of the delicious dinner. The major fundraising portion of the evening are the "tips" the celebrity waiters will collect from their tables. Who do you think can raise the most money? It's on!

And fear not, none of our celebrities will have any wardrobe malfunctions. They will be wearing fantastic aprons produced by Big Daddy Graphics in Perrysburg.

Rock the Block at Paula Brown Shop

Suzanne Rorick, executive director of the Toledo Opera, encourages us all to "shop local" and get an opera treat as well.

Rorick, speaking at a gathering of the Toledo Opera Guild board of directors today, said patronizing the locally owned businesses in the downtown area is an important way to support all that Toledo has to offer.

The Rock the Block event this evening at Paula Brown Shop will be a perfect opportunity to do just that.

Toledo opera stars will offer holiday favorites as well as preview songs from the upcoming "Susannah" opera.

Cocktails and nibbles will be offered at The Pub at Paula Brown, 912 Monroe St. RSVPs are appreciated by calling 419-241-8100 or emailing paula@paulabrownshop.com, but walk-ins are most welcome as well.

Enjoy the festivities, and then shop around the whole block!