THE PASADENA SYMPHONY AND POPS CELEBRATES GEORGE GERSHWIN WITH MUSIC UNDER THE STARS, A FREE CONCERT AT PASADENA’S CITY HALL
Presented by Bank of America, this family friendly event brings the stars of stage and screen to Centennial Square
Stars of stage and screen will illuminate the night sky when the Pasadena Symphony and POPS presents its annual free Music Under the Stars concert on Saturday, June 3 at Pasadena City Hall’s Centennial Square. Presented with sponsorship support from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, the 2017 Music Under the Stars concert will celebrate iconic music from the legendary George Gershwin with Porgy and Bess, I Got Rhythm, Someone to Watch Over Me, Embraceable You, and so many treasured songs penned by the iconic American composer.
Under the baton of Tony Award-nominated, Resident POPS Conductor Larry Blank, the orchestra will welcome three guest vocalists and the JPL Chorus to the stage. Best known today as a popular solo singer and ensemble vocalist, Kiki Ebsen brings her dynamic voice to the program after backing up such legendary artists such as Al Jarreau, Boz Scaggs, Tracy Chapman, and Christopher Cross. Valerie Perri, who made a successful career of performing the role of the charismatic Eva Peron from “Evita,” will sweep you away with her dulcet tones. And, returning this year is Christina Saffran, a true triple threat, who will dazzle and amaze with her powerful yet sultry voice.
The family fun begins at 6:00pm with pre-concert activities, family-style picnicking and gourmet food trucks. Families can discover the wonder of creating their own music with the instruments of the orchestra at the instrument “petting zoo,” where kids of all ages can toot flutes, blow trumpets, bow strings and bang on percussion instruments. Families can bring their own picnic along to enjoy at the site, or purchase a variety of offerings from a collection of gourmet food trucks.
This family-friendly event is presented with the support of Bank of America’s arts program, which supports nonprofit arts and culture presenters at the local level and with leading world-class arts entities. Other programs include the Museums on Us® program, which offers Bank of America customers free access to 150 of America's finest cultural institutions, and the Art in our Communities® program through which the company shares its corporate collection with museums throughout the world.
Gates open at 6:00pm and the concert begins at 8:00pm. Admission to this event is free, and guests are encouraged to bring a picnic, blanket and low-back chairs. Rental chairs will also be available for purchase. For more information, visit PasadenaSymphony-Pops.org or call 626.793.7172.
IF YOU GO:
- What: Bank of America’s Music Under the Stars with the Pasadena Symphony and POPS
- Special Guests: Larry Blank (conductor), Kiki Ebsen (vocalist), Valerie Perri (vocalist), Christina Saffran (vocalist)
- When: Saturday, June 3. Gates open for pre-concert festivities at 6:00 p.m.; concert begins at 8:00 p.m.
- Where: Pasadena City Hall Centennial Square
- Cost: Free, Chair Rentals $3
- Parking: Plaza Las Fuentes Structure (Union Ave & Los Robles); School House Parking Facility (Green St. & Raymond Ave); Pasadena Center/Sheraton Parking Structure (Marengo & Cordova); Paseo Colorado Subterranean Garage; Paseo Colorado Marengo Avenue Parking Structure; Paseo Colorado Los Robles Parking Structure; Arroyo Seco Park Parking (Raymond Ave or Arroyo Blvd), and Marriott Courtyard Hotel Parking (enter on Raymond).