You will not find a gold medal in her office at Midsummer’s Music, but Executive Director Allyson Fleck is an Olympian in her own right. Fleck was part of the nearly 200 dance, theatrical, and musical performances that took place during the 1996 Summer Olympics. The Cultural Olympiad has been a part of the Olympics since 1952 after several years of juried competitions. Fleck says she never knew such an event surrounding the Olympics existed until her orchestra was asked to be a part of a festival playing the music accompanying silent films. Fleck says it was a fun opportunity to be part of, especially since it was the 100th anniversary of the Olympic games.
The tradition of the cultural Olympiad continues this year as Tokyo hosts the Nippon Festival, though many of the events have been altered due to increased coronavirus activity in the country.