Journey North Opera Company

08/24/2026

OperaTease: A Taste of Broadway Co-Host Spotlight: Plum Ridiculous Sarah Penn

The one and only big body bugatti is not just a burlesque performer. She is a mother, an equestrian, and a fat activist. Bringing you waves of self love and acceptance mingled with exceptional bump and grind. She’s the stone fruit you’ll wanna savor, Plum Ridiculous!

Join us for a fun fusion of Broadway tunes, cirque and aerial acts, all while you enjoy a delicious gluten-free dinner from Hold the Wheat!
It’s Broadway… but with extra sprinkles.

Saturday, August 29
Dinner begins at 5:30pm
Performances start at 6:00pm

Tickets: https://operatease_holdthewheat.eventbrite.com

08/22/2026

🎹 OperaTease: A Taste of Broadway Performer Spotlight: Brian Chan Brian Chan

Pianist Brian Chan has established himself as a versatile and valued collaborative artist, having performed with countless individuals, chamber musicians, and large ensembles nationally and internationally. Chan has served as vocal coach and repetiteur for various opera companies and festivals including the Accademie Vocale Lorenzo Malfatti, the Janiec Opera Company at the Brevard Music Center, and Opera Memphis. He has held positions at universities across the United States and has taught in California, Tennessee, Georgia and Utah.

Currently located in the Twin Cities, Chan is regularly involved as a pianist for various organizations such as the Gilbert and Sullivan Very Light Opera Company, Skylark Opera, Journey North Opera Company and the Minnesota Valley Men’s Chorale. Notable mentors
include pianists Robert Koenig and Victor Asuncion and his Doctoral Studies in Collaborative Piano were concluded at the University of Memphis.

Join us for a fun fusion of Broadway tunes, cirque and aerial acts, all while you enjoy a delicious gluten-free dinner from Hold the Wheat!
It’s Broadway… but with extra sprinkles.

Saturday, August 29
Dinner begins at 5:30pm
Performances start at 6:00pm

Tickets: https://operatease_holdthewheat.eventbrite.com

08/21/2026

‼️ We’re just 8 days out from our second annual outdoor OperaTease dinner show at Hold the Wheat!
Did you get your tickets yet??

Here’s a peak at what you can expect if you’re a first-time OperaTease goer. We had a fantastic first event in 2025 with aerialists, fabulous singers, cirque acts, and a delicious gluten-free meal from Hold the Wheat!

Saturday, August 29
Dinner begins at 5:30pm
Performances start at 6:00pm

Tickets: https://operatease_holdthewheat.eventbrite.com

2025 show photos by Steve Campbell

08/05/2026

🎶 OperaTease: A Taste of Broadway Performer Spotlight: Mila Amaryllis

Mila Amaryllis is a flow artist and rhythmic gymnast based in Minneapolis. Known for her skills with fire and light props, she has over 15 years of experience in circus, flow, and burlesque. Mila Amaryllis has performed in multiple states and venues all over Minnesota and currently works as a full-time performer with Q***r Circus!

Join us for a fun fusion of Broadway tunes, cirque and aerial acts, all while you enjoy a delicious gluten-free dinner from Hold the Wheat!
It’s Broadway… but with extra sprinkles.

Saturday, August 29
Dinner begins at 5:30pm
Performances start at 6:00pm

Tickets: https://operatease_holdthewheat.eventbrite.com

07/26/2026

Journey North Opera and Hold the Wheat are excited to bring you OperaTease: A Taste of Broadway, our second annual outdoor dinner show! 🎼💃🏻

Join us Saturday, August 29 for an irresistibly fun night where the stars of Journey North Opera are kicking up their heels, belting out Broadway favorites, and tossing in a dash of circus giggles, aerial wiggles, and cabaret sass!

Enjoy a tasty gluten‑free, New York-inspired meal from Hold the Wheat as you’re swept into a whirlwind of show tunes, sparkle, and playful circus magic. It’s Broadway… but with extra sprinkles.

Dinner starts at 5:30, show begins at 6:00.
Tickets available at www.operatease_holdthewheat.eventbrite.com
Get your tickets by August 9 and get 10% off early bird pricing!

Get ready to enjoy a fun fusion of Broadway tunes, cirque and aerial acts, all while you enjoy a delicious gluten-free dinner!

07/16/2026

Did you miss the very first OperaTease outdoor dinner show last fall?! 😱 Well, mark your calendars for our second dinner show, coming Saturday, August 29 at Hold the Wheat in St. Louis Park!

This year we’re bringing you Broadway show tunes, New York-inspired fare, and more amazing cirque performances! 🎼🍕💃🏻

Here’s a few shots from last September by Steve Campbell to get you excited for this year’s show!

More show announcements and menu info coming soon!

07/09/2026

JNOC is devastated to share the passing of Opiumm Hayze, a loved friend, performer and co-producer of our May OperaTease show.

Opiumm (aka Marie Blomgren) made an impact across Minnesota and beyond for over 16 years as a burlesque performer, producer, and lover of all things nerdy. My heart is with the burlesque community, especially as our friends at the North Star Nerdlesque Festival prepare for this weekend’s events without one of its co-founders.

Opiumm will be dearly missed by the community and by JNOC. I am forever grateful to her for helping bring OperaTease back to the stage, and for all the laughter and art she brought to the community.

Please consider attending the North Star Nerdlesque Festival this weekend to help celebrate Opiumm and the art form she loved.
And please hug your friends whenever you get the chance. ❤️

If you’d like to support Opiumm’s family during this difficult time, a GoFundMe has been set up here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-family-of-marie-blomgren-aka-opiumm-hayze

Colleen Meier, Executive Director of JNOC

05/02/2026

TONIGHT! 7:30pm at the Historic Mounds Theatre in St. Paul - you don’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind event!

Journey North Opera Company and Dancing Cow Productions present: OperaTease at the gorgeous Historic Mounds Theatre!

Experience the powerful voices of Journey North Opera as stunning arias are brought to life through burlesque, dance, circus, and cabaret. Each piece is a unique collaboration between opera singers and variety performers — blending high art with a little mischief.

If you like big voices, dramatic flair, beautiful costumes, and just the right amount of tease, this show is for you.

Saturday, May 2
Doors: 7:00 PM
Show: 7:30 PM

Tickets: www.moundstheatre.org

Pianist: piano

Emcees:



Featuring Performances by:

Amir Oddysea Kinara
Jenn Justadboudreaux








Featuring the Voices of:


Amy Wolf


rolando




Stage Manager:
Crew:

05/01/2026

OperaTease: Cadenzas and Curves Producer SPOTLIGHT: Colleen Meier

Minnesota native Colleen Meier is the founder and Executive Director of Journey North Opera Company. Launched in 2014, JNOC is known for uplifting local artists, blending art forms, and advocating for gender equity in opera.

A dramatic soprano with a flair for the big repertoire, Colleen has made her mark singing Strauss, Verdi, Puccini, and Wagner across the metro.

Colleen holds a Bachelor of Music from Viterbo University and a Master of Music from Ball State University. She lives in St. Paul with her cats, Pogo and Jovie, who take their assistant duties very seriously.


Join us Saturday, May 2 at 7:30pm at the Historic Mounds Theatre in St. Paul for a night of opera, burlesque, circus, and cabaret! 🎤🎼🎭

Tickets: www.moundstheatre.org

04/30/2026

OperaTease: Cadenzas and Curves Producer SPOTLIGHT: Opiumm Hayze

Opiumm Hayze has been a driving force in Twin Cities burlesque for over 16 years, creating performances that fuse nerdy storytelling, comedic flair, and a touch of the nightmarish. She is the Co-Executive Producer and Co-Founder of the North Star Nerdlesque Festival, a celebration of geek culture and burlesque that brings together performers from across the country.

As the founder of Dancing Cow Productions, Opiumm has produced a range of fan-favorite shows and serves as the Matriarch of Twin Ti***es Horrorlesque. She has helped cultivate a thriving community diversity and weird burlesque—where camp, creativity, and the delightfully dark take center stage.

She’s highly addictive and will leave you in a daze!


Join us Saturday, May 2 at 7:30pm at the Historic Mounds Theatre in St. Paul for a night of opera, burlesque, circus, and cabaret! 🎶🎤🧚🏻‍♀️

Tickets: www.moundstheatre.org