Grand Rapids Symphony

GR Symphony Presents Chase Picnic Pops

2008-07-01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GRAND RAPIDS SYMPHONY PRESENTS CHASE PICNIC POPS

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. June 25, 2008–Concertgoers will enjoy hot musical acts on cool summer nights when the Grammy-nominated Grand Rapids Symphony performs at Cannonsburg Ski Area during its Chase Picnic Pops. The summertime concert series, held on Thursday and Friday evenings, July 10 through August 1, will feature “Classical Fireworks,” Mariachi Cobre, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and “ABBA-The Hits.”
Each summer thousands of West Michigan residents make the grassy slopes of Cannonsburg Ski Area their destination to share relaxed evenings with family and friends and enjoy the exceptional sound of the Grand Rapids Symphony.

Free parking, pre-concert entertainment, a family fun area and helpful Symphony volunteers add to West Michigan’s premier outdoor concert experience. The family fun area includes face painting, crafts and an instrument petting zoo. Audience members may bring their own picnics, or purchase grilled items and soft drinks at Cannonsburg.
Alcohol is allowed on the grounds, but is not available for purchase. Gates open at 5:30 each night. Chase remains the title sponsor of the concert series since it began in the summer of 1995.

"Classical Fireworks"
July 10/11, 8 p.m.
Classical favorites will headline the “Classical Fireworks” concert program, topped off with a spectacular fireworks display. “We’ll be performing some real barn burners from the classical music world,” said Associate Conductor John Varineau. “This music is big and exciting just like the fireworks, and all of it is very familiar.” Among the works to be featured are: selections from Dvorak’s “New World Symphony,” marches by Sousa, Wagner’s Prelude to Act III of “Lohengrin,” Rossini’s Overture to “The Barber of Seville” and a movement from Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 6” (“Pathetique”). Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” concludes the concert, followed by fireworks. Varineau added that he enjoys conducting concerts outdoors at Cannonsburg. “I enjoy the atmosphere which is both festive and relaxing. Everyone comes because they know they’re going to have a good time. To me, it feels like the Symphony has one big family up on the hill.”
Jack Stutting of Trident Pyrotechnic Displays, Inc. said this year’s fireworks will be dramatic. “Audience members can expect lots of color, displays that span across the sky and a great grand finale. Each year I try to make it better.” Pre-concert entertainment will be provided by the jazz quintet, The Djangotones.

Mariachi Cobre
July 17/18, 7:30 p.m.
There’s nothing like the energy that comes from mariachi music and some of the best mariachi on the planet comes from Mariachi Cobre. Picnic Pops audiences will enjoy this band, with its pulsating rhythms and vibrant harmonies on July 17 and 18. A crowd favorite for more than 25 years at Disney’s EPCOT Center, the group features a dozen amazing musicians singing and performing on violins, guitars and trumpets. “People love mariachi music,” said Randy Carrillo, the group’s founder. “With the instrumentation including brass, violins and guitars, along with the singing, it makes you want to jump and kick up your heels. This music has a way of lifting the soul and tapping into emotions.” The band made its debut with the Grand Rapids Symphony in 2005 during its Fox Motors Pops Series in DeVos Performance Hall and the members look forward to performing on the Cannonsburg stage. Mariachi Cobre performs regularly in many outdoor locations including the Hollywood Bowl, Ravinia and Tanglewood. Pre-concert entertainment will be Mind’s Eye featuring original jazz.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band
July 24/25 7:30 p.m.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band will have listeners’ feet tapping and hands clapping with the joyful sound of Dixieland jazz on July 24 and 25. The group is named after the venerable music venue, Preservation Hall, located in the heart of New Orleans’ French Quarter. Preservation Hall Jazz Band has appeared in the country’s most prestigious venues including Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. “We’ll bring the sound of New
Orleans to Grand Rapids,” says Ben Jaffe, the son of one of the band’s founders. “It puts people in a celebratory mood and makes them want to get up and dance,” he says. “We’ll also perform some music that will make people reflect, because this music is like that. It’s there to help in good times and gets us through the tough times.” Concertgoers will hear tunes such as “Just a Closer Walk,” “Bourbon Street Parade” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Organized in 1963, many of the Preservation Hall Jazz members performed with the pioneers who invented jazz, including Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong. Pre-concert entertainment will be Potato Moon with a variety of music including country, blues, swing rock ‘n roll and folk.

ABBA-The Hits
July 31/August 1, 7:30 p.m.
It’s the ultimate tribute to one of the greatest pop groups of all time. “ABBA–The Hits” comes to the Cannonsburg stage July 31 and August 1. With performers from Sweden, this ensemble sounds and looks like the original ABBA and has been seen and praised by thousands. Audience members will take a musical trip from the mid ‘70s to the mid ‘80s with ABBA’s smash hits, including: “Waterloo,” “SOS,” “ Mamma Mia,” “Dancing Queen,” “Knowing Me Knowing You,” “Fernando” and many more. “This is as close as you can come to seeing the original group,” says Toby Ludwig, the show’s producer. “It’s high energy. Even their costumes are very authentic.” The ABBA International Fan Club said “‘ABBA-The Hits’ is basically the best show out there.” Pre-concert entertainment will be the Indie-pop group, The Icicles.
Tickets

Subscriptions for the first three (“Classical Fireworks,” Mariachi Cobre and Preservation Hall Jazz Band) concerts are available and start at $12 for children ages 2-15; $27 for students (16 +) and seniors (62+); and $33 for adults. Children, two years of age and under are allowed in for free on the lawn. Subscriptions for general admission chair seating, in a reserved area, are $69; $117 for reserved individual seats at VIP tables; and $936 for a reserved VIP table for eight. Subscriptions can save customers up to 25% percent over buying tickets individually.

Individual lawn seats are $14 ($12 for students 16 and older/seniors 62 and older, $5 children ages 2-15) for each of the first three concert programs and $22 ($20 for student/senior, $8 child) for the “ABBA-The Hits” special event. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.

Other prices are: $32 for general admission chairs in the reserved area; $49 for reserved individual seats at VIP tables; and $392 for a VIP reserved table for eight.

A FlexPass 6-Pack at $75 for adults, and $63 for seniors, is a package of six lawn tickets, which can be used in any combination, for any combination of the following concerts: “Classical Fireworks,” Mariachi Cobre and Preservation Hall Jazz Band. A FlexPass can save customers 10 percent over buying tickets individually.

How to Buy Tickets
Three-concert, FlexPasses, table and chair seating, and group tickets can only be purchased through the Symphony office at 616/454-9451, Ext. 4, or in person at the office, 300 Ottawa Ave. NW, Suite 100. Individual lawn tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 616/456-3333, at ticketmaster.com, or at the door the night of the concert.