The Telephone: An Opera in One Act

The annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month Fundraiser at the First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland will be held October 21st at 7:30pm.  The purpose of the event is to raise community awareness about the epidemic problem of domestic violence in our community and in the world. 

Featured as the evening’s entertainment will be a performance of “The Telephone” by composer Gian Carlo Menotti.  This charming opera will be performed by soprano, Rebecca Freshwater.  She will be joined by Cleveland Institute of Music baritone, Mark Wanich, and pianist Adam Whiting. 

This year’s event will once again begin with our traditional baking competition.   Our audience is invited to taste as many of these delicious treats as they can and vote with their dollars for their favorites. Prizes will be awarded to the top three desserts.  All proceeds will be given to the Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center of Greater Cleveland.  Karen Gordon, Justice System Advocate for the Center will speak at the event.

In addition to voting with dollars, we are asking people to donate their used cell phones to the shelter.  Often a victim of domestic violence has only one chance to call 911.  Their abuser can track them to a safe house if they keep their own cell phone.  The phone does not need to have a plan in order to call 911.

Phones can be dropped off at the church office or given to Sharon Anderson, Director of Arts Outreach for FBC.  For more information about the event, please contact Sharon at sanderson@firstbaptistcleveland.org.