Lara Semetko of Grosse Ile (center), recipient of the Wayne County Council for the Arts, History & Humanities Young Artist Award, is congratulated by board members Joy Squire of Taylor (left) and Pamela Frucci of Grosse Ile. Semetko was among individuals and organi-zation honored at the WCCAHH’s annual Recognition Awards program Oct. 27 at the Guardian Building in Detroit.
By Evelyn Cairns
Lara Semetko, who is well known Downriver as a coloratura soprano, received the Wayne County Council for Arts, History & Humanities’ Young Artist Award Oct. 27 at the council’s 2010 Recognition Awards program. The event took place at the Guard-ian Building in Detroit.
The award recognized Semetko’s “abundant talent . . . faithful to the most traditional tenets of opera and vocal performance.” It was presented by WCCAHH board member Pamela Frucci of Grosse Ile.
A resident of Grosse Ile, the honoree is a junior at Central Michigan University, where she is studying musical performance and education.
Semetko, who has been singing and acting since the age of 4, was a runner-up in the Southern Great Lakes Symphony Downriver Idol Contest and performed a program of 12 arias in a June recital pre-sented by the Bellini Opera/Music Society.
In addition, she was a featured opera singer at the Downriver Council for the Arts’ “Pasta & Puccini” fundraiser in June.
Other honorees included the Arab American National Museum, which received the County Executive Award. Presented by Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, the award recognized the museum “as an unparalleled resource to enhance knowledge and un-derstanding of our diverse collective community.”
Semetko sang the “The Italian Street Song” and an aria from “La Boheme” during intermission of the program, which was attended by approximately 100 people.
A reception honoring the recipients followed the awards ceremony.
DCA Planning yule boutique
The Downriver Council for the Arts is accepting art and handcrafted items for its annual Holiday Show & Christmas Boutique, to be held Nov. 19 through Dec. 22 at the Wyandotte Arts Center, 81 Chestnut.
Only original works are being accepted from artists and crafters 18 and older. Details are available by e-mailing Ashleigh Alley at [email protected] or calling the arts center at (734) 720-0671.
Coming up . . .
Through Nov. 21 — Five-time Tony Award-nominated musical “Rock of Ages,” featuring Tony Award nominee and “American Idol” finalist Constantine Maroulis; at the Fisher Theatre; tickets are $29 to $79 (including parking); for more informa-tion, call (313) 872-1000 or go to www.BroadwayinDetroit.com.
Nov. 15 — Cooking class, “All-American Thanksgiving: A Sumptuous Feast,” at The Henry, formerly The Ritz-Carlton; 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; participants will be served dinner with wines after the class; $120 (guests of participants for dinner only, $75); for reservations or more information, call Leslie Jacobs at (248) 646-4517 or Colin Berens at (313) 253-4357.
Nov. 16 — Panel discussion on the theater scene in southeast Michigan and the role of the critic; 6:30 p.m. at Wayne County Community College; Donald V. Calamia, theater and arts editor from Pride Source Media and Encore Michigan.com, will anchor the dis-cussion, which is open to the public with no charge for admission.
Nov. 20 — Festival of the Trees Preview Party; 6:30 to 11 p.m. at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn; strolling dinner and desserts, live entertainment and silent auction; black tie optional; tickets, $75, adults; $25, children; for more information, call (248) 336-2331 or go to www.fot.org.
Nov. 21 — Alzheimer’s Association’s 26th annual luncheon and “Sweet Memories Chocolate Jubilee” tasting; luncheon at noon, featuring a talk by Dr. Ronald C. Petersen, director of the Mayo Clinic Col-lege of Medicine Alzheimer’s Disease Center; chocolate tasting at 2:30; at The Henry, formerly The Ritz-Carlton; tickets, $150 (tasting only, $50); for reserva-tions, call (248) 996-1048.