Opera in the Heights, by its own admission, has always been something of a “hidden gem” in Houston. The small company produces four operas per year from its church-turned-venue, Lambert Hall, located right on Heights Boulevard. Despite the occasional internal drama, the organization positions itself as a place where opera lovers and newbies alike can come and enjoy the voices of artists from here at home and across the U.S.—a perhaps less intimidating alternative to the Houston Grand Opera.

This Saturday, Opera in the Heights is taking that philosophy to a whole new level, hosting its very first open house, a family-friendly event with food, performances and Lambert Hall tours. Assisting in that effort is Tacodeli with breakfast tacos. There will be face painting, a photo station, free popcorn and the opportunity to purchase tickets to OH’s performances this season (more on that below).

“The Heights is the first level of our community in terms of audience, and the demographics here have changed to where the area is predominately families,” says Executive Director Paige Myrick. “We wanted a place where parents and children could come and experience what we do, as well as provide an event designed for people who’ve maybe never been to an opera house before.”

To that end, OH this year is launching a children’s opera series that includes productions such as Pinocchio and Lucinda and the Christmas Eve Flower—performances that parents and children can enjoy together. “Our children’s series tells the stories in an almost fairy tale-like way that’s accessible to kids in a way that perhaps a full-on opera with twisting plot lines and sometimes darker tones is not,” she says. “These performances are designed to give spaces where families can experience opera together.”

This season also features four operas familiar to opera lovers. The season opens with Donizetti’s La Fille du Regiment, known for its sparkling music and the famous nine-high-C aria sung by the Tonio, the lead tenor role. The Magic Flute, Mozart’s classic that includes the equally challenging Queen of the Night aria, is next in the season line-up. “We just felt Houston couldn’t go an opera season without a Mozart,” says Myrick. Verdi’s brooding Un Ballo in Maschera comes to the stage in February, and the season rounds out in May 2018 with Bernstein’s Candide. Myrick says programming that production was aimed at allowing Houston audiences to have a mini Bernstein festival; Houston Grand Opera is mounting West Side Story next spring.

Opera in the Heights Open House, Saturday, Aug. 19, at 9 a.m. Lambert Hall, 1703 Heights Blvd. 713-861-5303. More info at operaintheheights.org.