The Calliope Feminist Choir will perform its Spring Concert, Where the Light Begins, Friday, May 12 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, May 13, at 4 pm at the Athens First Presbyterian Church, 2 N. Court St., Athens. Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the choir is led by Artistic Director, Debra Spangler and accompanied by longtime former director Nancy Pierce. The concert will also feature local guest artists Becca Lachman, Kelly Madewell, Greg Bikowski, and Heather Scott. Spangler commented on the program, “This concert is a collection of songs that evoke community and friendship, defined by how we care for and celebrate each other. What better songs to share with our community?”

For information about sliding scale tickets, visit Calliope’s eventbrite page or calliopefeministchoir.org. A portion of concert proceeds will be shared with Athens United Immigrant Support Project, a group that turns care into action for those having to flee their homes. An accessible entrance is on Washington Street, and the concert space is accessible by elevator. ASL Interpreting will be provided. To protect singers and audience from the many viruses present in our community, masking will be required and seating limited to 60% capacity.

The program includes songs by local composers Becca Lachman and Elise McMath (in an arrangement by Nancy Pierce). Another piece on the program is Elizabeth Alexander’s Sue Loves Butter. Alexander, who grew up in Portsmouth Ohio also composed the musical, Split Hickory, set in Central Appalachia and recently workshopped at Shawnee State University.

Calliope is a treble-voiced Athens-based community choir with members from Athens and surrounding counties. Calliope maintains a policy of sliding scale for tickets and dues so that anyone can participate regardless of ability to pay.