HOW TO GO
WHAT: Shakespeare in the Park
WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26. A pre-show Community Arts Festival featuring all things Shakespeare will begin at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Uptown Memorial Park, Uptown Oxford
COST: Free and open to the public.
MORE INFO: Visit www.enjoyoxford.org or www.oxarts.org or call 513-523-8687
The Oxford community will come together to celebrate some of Shakespeare’s finest work on Aug. 26.
The Oxford Community Arts Center and Oxford Visitors Bureau have partnered to bring the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company to Oxford for a free performance of “Macbeth” at Uptown Memorial Park.
The live, outdoor performance with professional actors in a park setting is expected to draw nearly 500 residents and visitors, according to Jessica Greene, executive director of the Oxford Visitors Bureau.
“It’s a lot of fun. We had a blast last year. It was the first year for the event. It went over so well that we thought we would bring it back this year,” Greene said. “There’s something special about live theater and interacting with the audience.”
Prior to the show, there will be a Community Arts Festival starting at 6 p.m., which will highlight art and theater in the Oxford area. This year, the event’s theme will center on Shakespeare and tie in with “Macbeth.”
“It is Shakespeare’s 450th birthday this year, so we are actually doing an exhibit that opened on August 8, and this plays into that. The show is part of a whole celebration that will be going on in the area,” said Andy Lynn, program coordinator, Oxford Community Arts Center.
“It’s a good time for everyone to get together and enjoy themselves. It’s a great time to be out in the park.” Lynn said.
According to Greene, the event builds a sense of community. It also attracts visitors and is good for the economy. About 300 people attended the event last year.
“If someone comes in to watch the show, whether they are driving in from Fairfield, or West Chester, they might grab dinner, or stop in a shop. We are always encouraging that. Oxford is a really visitor-dependent economy, so the more we partner with these types of events, and promote them, the more we’re not just benefiting Oxford residents, but the Greater Oxford community,” Greene said.
Oxford Lane Library, local theater groups and other community partners will also participate.
“It’s a fun show and a great night in Oxford,” Greene said. “This performance is a wonderful example of partnership in our community and a great demonstration of how arts and performance can really bring a community together.”
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