Urban Overture

By Nikki Berglund
Staff Writer

What kinds of images come to mind when you hear about The Fargo Moorhead Symphony Orchestra (FMSO)? Do you think about old stuffy rich folks, dressed to the nines and looking down their noses at you? Do you envision one big old yawn fest, and an expensive one at that? Well, these are exactly the types of misconceptions a new group in town called Urban Overture is looking to change.

The main objective of Urban Overture is to introduce the FMSO to young people in their 20s and 30s by hosting a free informal evening on the Wednesday before each of the five Masterworks Concerts. The goal of these gatherings is to enlighten the younger members of the community about what an amazing cultural treasure we have here in Fargo/Moorhead. If you like free wine and free food and wouldn’t mind a crash course in Symphony 101 than this might just be right up your alley.

Urban Overture is the brainchild of my sister Danielle Arnold (nee Ness), who came up with the idea one night over a couple glasses of wine (the source of so many fantastic ideas in our family) with our other sister, Megan Ness. Megan was talking about a similar successful group she was previously a part of in St Paul, called Club 2030 geared towards familiarizing young professionals in the Minneapolis/St Paul area with the St Paul Chamber Orchestra.

Danielle, the youngest member of the FMSO board and a part of the Marketing Committee, spent this past summer, along with Linda Coates, the Executive Director, and Sara Granger, the Development Director, meeting over “coffee” (aka wine) and developing Urban Overture. It’s amazing what a little wine can add to the creative process.

As with any new project, no one knew quite what to expect for the inaugural evening (last Wednesday Oct 13th) but there was no need to worry. First off, the space was perfect for the 50 or so people in attendance. I had never been to Studio 222 and was really blown away by the sort of dark and hip, hole-in-the-wall, clubby feel of the place.

Located at 222 Broadway (next to Atomic Coffee), this is a “music and events venue” which is available for rent but in this case has been donated by long time community member and graphic designer Spider Johnk for each of the five Urban Overture events. While doing a little research on this place, I also read that they are doing some jazz shows on Friday nights, which is definitely something I will have to check out!

The food for these events is all donated by the Hilton Garden Inn and the offerings for the first night were incredible. Often when you go to an event such as this, where the food, wine, etc are all donated, it can be pretty slim pickings. Not so at this soirée! There was a little bit of everything; chicken skewers, a meat, cheese, and olive tray, stuffed mushrooms, and a whole lot of other tasty morsels. For future events, the food and the wines for the tastings will be paired together to further enhance your eating and drinking experience.

Speaking of the wine tastings, Bernie’s Wines and Liquors is providing and pouring the wine for these events [Full disclosure: the author is the proprietor of Bernie’s]. Since the theme of this year’s FMSO season is “Taste the World” the wines served for each event will correlate (when possible) with the theme of that particular concert—though Russia might be a bit of a struggle!

Since the first Masterworks Series Concert featured Spanish Cellist Zuill Bailey, there were five Spanish wines to try. For red wines, the Mesta Tempranillo ($10), the Red Guitar Old Vine Tempranillo Garnacha blend ($12), and the Bodega Montecillo Crianza Rioja ($12) were featured.

Tempranillo is the most famous native Spanish grape, a medium bodied, very smoky and fruit-driven wine that is often blended.

The white wine choices were the Montecillo White Rioja ($12) and the Martin Codax Albarino ($15), which everyone fell in love with. Albarino is a full bodied, crisp, refreshing native Spanish wine that works especially well with seafood or any dish on the lighter side.

If you would rather have a beer, or are not finding the small pours that constitute a wine “tasting” to your liking, Atomic Coffee is also on site to provide a selection of beers along with full size glasses of the wines being poured for the tasting.

After you have had a chance to eat, drink and mingle a little, the main event of the evening begins. The FMSO website touts it as a Symphony 101 but it is really so much more than that.

Concertmaster Benjamin Sung and Music Director Bernard (Bernie) Rubenstein (“Head Violinist” and “Conductor” respectively to us lay people) will be hosting each event and make one hell of an entertaining duo! They are both dynamic individuals who bring a lighthearted and welcoming feel to the discussions.

During the first evening, Ben provided some basic Symphony 101, answering such questions as “when to clap?” and “what to wear?”

I think you can always tell if an audience is captivated by a speaker from the Q and A session, and in this case the questions just kept on coming.
Throughout the season, Ben will be performing and will also bring along some fellow musicians to showcase the different orchestra sections.

For this event, Tim Nelson performed his viola solo from the first concert.

The Masterworks Series Concert #2 will be “Viva La France” featuring violinist Tai Murray, on Saturday, November 13th and Sunday, November 14th. Tickets to the Masterwork usually start at $28.00 a pop but once you register at http://www.fmsymphony.org you can get your tickets for just $10!

The next Urban Overture event will be held Wednesday November 10th from 5:30-7:30PM at Studio 222. These events are free to everyone who registers.

If you are between the ages of 21 and 39, and have found yourself curious about what exactly the Fargo Moorhead Symphony Orchestra may have to offer you, check out an Urban Overture gathering. Besides providing a great opportunity to get to know some new people, you will also learn a lot.

Questions and comments: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

If You Go

What: Urban Overture
Where: Studio 222
When: Wed, Nov 10, 5:30-7:30pm
Info: 218.233.8397