Walters marks return with ¡Viva España! concert hosted by Portland Opera

Hillsboro’s cultural arts center is back in commission following renovations, and it’s marking its return with a free outdoor performance exploring the traditional styles of Spanish music.

The Portland Opera presents ¡Viva España!, a concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, July 28, on the lawn of the Walters Cultural Arts Center.

In a jaunt through the deep history of Spanish music, audiences will experience Spain’s vast musical styles and regional influences. Performances will include zarzuela, a Spanish operetta that combines spoken and sung numbers, alongside the percussive, intense music of flamenco.

Classical artists Jessica Blau, Sydney Anderson and Katherine Ciscon will join forces with Brenna McDonald and Yeshe Wingard from Espacio Flamenco, a Portland school dedicated to flamenco, to pay homage to Spain’s rich cultural heritage and put their own spin on classic genres.

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and snacks for a "picnic concert" on the grass.

The Walters shut its doors for performances from May until the end of June for a number of renovations. Returning for its next season, the center will be hosting shows throughout the summer.

For upcoming performances, visit Hillsboro-Oregon.gov/Walters .