POISON WATERS HOSTS RESONANCE ENSEMBLE’S “BRUNCH & BAD CHOICES” AS THE ENSEMBLE KICKS OFF SEASON 18
Performing artists include (from top left): Vakarė Petroliūnaitė, Erik Hundtoft, Claire Forstman, Quinton Gardner, Madeline Ross, Brandon Michael, Jessica Israels, Poison Waters, Shohei Kobayashi, Eulis Kay, and Katherine FitzGibbon.
You think you know Resonance singers: the opera stars, early-music angels, and choral pros. You may not know them quite like this.
Resonance Ensemble kicks off its 18th season, SHIFT, with Brunch & Bad Choices, a raucous, one-of-a-kind fundraiser that turns the traditional concert experience on its head. On Saturday, September 26, Resonance singers will take over the Alberta Rose Theatre for a boozy, brunchy, musical fun-fest, with complimentary signature cocktails, brunchy bites, pianist Claire Forstman, and host Poison Waters.
Brunch & Bad Choices invites Resonance artists to step outside their usual musical lanes while audiences sit back, enjoy tasty, brunchy bites and a tasty cocktail, and let themselves be entertained. Expect some of Portland’s best singers tackling songs you’d never expect to hear them sing, with unexpected pairings, musical surprises, and performances that showcase a very different side of the artists Resonance audiences have come to know and love.
“Fans of our popular Dirty, Stupid Music cabaret series will recognize the spirit of Brunch & Bad Choices,” said Artistic Director Katherine FitzGibbon. “It’s another chance for our singers to step outside their usual musical lanes, take some risks, and show audiences a side of themselves they don’t often get to see. It’s playful, unpredictable, and a whole lot of fun.”
The morning will be hosted by Poison Waters, whose signature wit and glamour will set the tone for a brunch where decorum is negotiable. Guests are encouraged to come in their pajamas and will enjoy brunchy nibbles and complimentary signature cocktails, with additional drinks available for purchase at the bar.
A PARTY WITH A PURPOSE
Brunch & Bad Choices is more than a brunch and a show. It’s also a celebration of the artists and programs that make Resonance possible. In addition to ticket sales, guests will have the opportunity to support the ensemble through a paddle raise and special appeal during the event.
Performing artists include Katherine FitzGibbon, Quinton Gardner, Erik Hundtoft, Jessica Israels, Eulis Kay, Shohei Kobayashi, Brandon Michael, Vakarė Petroliūnaitė, and Madeline Ross, with Claire Forstman on piano.
“We spend a lot of time asking audiences to listen differently,” said Executive Director Liz Bacon Brownson. “For Brunch & Bad Choices, we’re asking our singers to do something different, too. You’ll see Katherine FitzGibbon and Shohei Kobayashi onstage alongside Resonance singers, taking risks, having ridiculous fun, and showing you a side of the people behind Resonance that you may not get to see every day.”
TICKETS
Season 18 subscriptions are on sale now, starting at $99, and include Brunch & Bad Choices.
Single tickets for Brunch & Bad Choices are $50 and go on sale September 1, 2026. Single tickets for all other Season 18 programs are $40.
Tickets, season subscriptions, and more information about Season 18 are available at resonancechoral.org.
EVENT SCHEDULE
10:00 AM Doors open; check-in, brunch boxes from Vibrant Table, and complimentary signature cocktails
11:00 AM Brunch & Bad Choices performance begins
1:00 PM Dessert send-off
MEDIA CONTACT
David Krueger, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Resonance Ensemble
david@resonancechoral.org