NAHANT — Ute Gfrerer carried over her talent and passion for singing when she left her native Austria for Nahant nearly two decades ago.
The founder of the Nahant Seaside Sirens choir group is a driving force behind the upcoming Seasons of Love concert at the Community Center on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 3 p.m.
The free show will include performances from Gfrerer and her fellow sirens, as well as show tunes recited by youth participants.
“It’s all about love,” Gfrerer said. “The mission of this is to bring people together and spread some joy.”
She revealed that the concert is slated to include songs from composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, pop group ABBA, and the films “The Sound of Music” and “Sister Act.”
Seasons of Love will be the first non-holiday performance Gfrerer has organized since the Seaside Sirens first formed, as she has held Christmas concerts the past two winters.
“Singing in harmony with people is a beautiful thing,” Gfrerer said. “It just creates a sense of community and a sense of belonging, a sense of ‘we are in this together.’”
The upcoming concert is part of a larger effort by Gfrerer to revitalize the Community Center as a year-round location for local entertainment.
After a successful opera career overseas, Gfrerer’s primary occupation is now as a certified hypnotherapist and astrologer. However, her dedication to the art of music remains as strong as ever.
“Singing definitely brings joy to people, the people who are doing it and the people who are listening to it,” Gfrerer said. “I think there’s some dopamine being released when you sing together with other people.”
She expressed gratitude to everyone else involved in organizing the event.
The Community Center’s theater holds approximately 80 people. Donations will also be accepted.
