The 11th Operanation was held at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts on Queen and University Thursday evening. With performances by French band Yelle, as well as Ensemble Studio singers and much more, including food stations, which, in my opinion, is probably one of the best things about Operanation besides the live performance. This year’s delights were Spanish focused, including a paella bar on the lower level as well as deliciously sweet churros and a cheese and Serrano ham station.
The cheese and Serrano ham bar
Ildiko and Solmaz
Paella
The crowd
The other feature was, of course, the live performance. Yelle is, I believe this is the first year that Operanation did not have a Canadian musician. Past performers included Nelly Furtado, Rufus Wainright and Broken Social Scene. While the performances were good, I have to say that it was hard to hear the singer as she was drowned out by the drummers and the rest of the background music. I also like how she got the audience involved. However, I wonder how familiar the party goers are with Yelle.
Sara, Christopher and Nelia
Yelle rockin’ it out!
I can’t say that the event was awful. Operanation never is. However, I hope that next year, the event brings back more familiar, Canadian musicians – something that the event has always done in the past. And maybe the mac and cheese bar from 2013 (which I LOVED).
