St. George Episcopal Church in Maplewood is hosting “An Evening of Opera” on August 15 to support two local MEND food pantries — Our Lady of Sorrows (OLS) and St Joseph’s.
MEND stands for “Meeting Emergency Needs with Dignity.” It is the oldest and largest interfaith network of food pantries in Essex County, New Jersey.
Kate Cahill, co-manager of the OLS food pantry, and a MEND trustee, is helping to organize the concert along with Tracy Grafton, mother of soprano Amanda Austin. Austin will be performing with her husband, baritone Justin Michael Austin, and pianist Tamara Kim.
The Austins are a newly married couple, both graduates of The Manhattan School of Music in NYC and students of opera legend, Catherine Malfitano. Amanda Austin grew up in Maplewood and graduated from Columbia High School.
The Austins are currently performing in Tuscany.
The concert will feature selections from German, French, Italian, and English operas, as well as a few musical theatre treats.
Refreshments will be served.
An Evening of Opera, August 15, 2015, 7 p.m., St. George’s Church, 550 Ridgewood Road, Maplewood NJ, Donations Accepted.
