Rotary opera partnership advances polio eradication through the arts
Rotarians and community members will gather in Denver on May 5, 2026, at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House for a performance of Madama Butterfly that supports Rotary’s global effort to eradicate polio. The evening combines cultural experience with charitable impact, with 10% of ticket sales benefiting Rotary’s PolioPlus program.
This collaboration between Rotary and Opera Colorado demonstrates how partnerships can expand awareness and generate meaningful support for one of the world’s most ambitious public health initiatives.
“What happens when world-class performing arts and Rotary’s global mission come together? In Denver, the answer is simple: meaningful impact.”
Guests will enjoy complimentary champagne during intermission in Opera Colorado’s exclusive lounge, along with an optional pre-performance lecture offered one hour before the show. The experience blends culture, connection, and purpose.
How the Rotary opera partnership began
This collaboration began with a simple conversation.
After connecting with Barbara Lynn Jamison shortly after she began her role as CEO of Opera Colorado, a conversation about Rotary sparked an idea. What if the arts could become a gateway to share Rotary’s mission and expand its reach?
Barbara, a Rotarian with roots in the Louisville Rotary Club, immediately recognized the opportunity. Opera Colorado welcomed the partnership, seeing it as a meaningful way to engage new audiences while supporting a global cause.
“The result is a collaboration that brings together two worlds, one rooted in artistic expression and the other in service, united by a shared purpose.”
The partnership reflects Rotary’s ongoing commitment to innovation in outreach and engagement, using creative platforms to tell a broader story of impact.
More than a fundraiser for polio eradication
This evening represents more than a fundraiser. It highlights how Rotary partnerships can open new doors, reach new audiences, and strengthen public understanding of global service efforts.
Events like this invite people into Rotary’s mission in a natural and engaging way. Guests come for the performance, but they leave with a deeper understanding of the work being done to eradicate polio and the role Rotary continues to play in that effort.
Barbara Lynn Jamison will also welcome Rotarians during the evening, reinforcing the connection between the arts community and Rotary’s humanitarian mission.
“Sometimes impact begins with a conversation. And sometimes, it continues with a standing ovation.”
Madama Butterfly tells a story of hope, resilience, and endurance. These same themes reflect Rotary’s decades-long commitment to ending polio, a mission that has reduced cases by more than 99.9 percent worldwide.
Join the Rotary polio eradication experience in Denver
Attendees are encouraged to bring family, friends, and colleagues to share in this unique experience. Tickets can be purchased through Opera Colorado using the code ROTARY, with seating options available throughout the venue.
This is an opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable evening while contributing to a cause that continues to change lives around the world.
