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DSO Announces Parks AND Summer Concerts Series


by Jerome Weeks 21 Mar 2011 2:32 PM

Together, the two DSO schedules cover spring through summer, Easter through August — with a new, late-morning ‘Coffee Concert’ and a passel of pop stars (Don McLean, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Mathis).

CTA TBD

It’s a double press release announcement here — because, together, the two schedules cover spring through summer. First, the DSO’s Community Parks Series begins with an Easter concert in Lee Park (avec Pooch Parade) and then heads to Flagpole Hill for Memorial Day, Paul Quinn College (for the first time) and other spots around town.

The Summer Concert Series starts off June 3-4 with Oz with OrchestraThe Wizard of Oz projected onscreen at the Meyerson with a live orchestra performing the soundtrack. For Thursday, June 9, the symphony introduces its ‘Coffee Concert’  idea, a new, casual concert at 11 a.m. — with music by Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky, notably his Romeo and Juliet.

Most of the other summer performances are pop concerts, sans orchestra — with Christopher Cross, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Mathis and Ben Folds — but there’s also the Latino Festival, June 10, with Cuban-born conductor Andres Cardenas, and the African American Festival, June 17, a tribute to Louis Armstrong.

Both releases follow:

Dallas Symphony Announces 2011 Community Parks Series Concerts

DALLAS, March 17, 2011 – As the weather warms up, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is getting out of the concert hall and into community with six free outdoor concerts in Dallas-area parks.

Produced in conjunction with the City of Dallas’ Parks and Recreation Department, the Community Parks Series serves a large cross-section of the Dallas community, attracting up to 30,000 area residents each year.

The series begins with two long-standing Dallas traditions, the Easter Concert at Lee Park on April 24, 2011, and the Memorial Day Concert at Flagpole Hill on Monday, May 30, 2011, and it continues with four additional concerts at area parks throughout the city.  Led by DSO Assistant Conductor Rei Hotoda, each concert has family-friendly programming and lasts approximately one hour.

Dallas Symphony’s 2011 Community Parks Series Schedule:

Sunday, April 24, 2011 – 3:00 p.m.

Easter Concert at Lee Park

(3333 Lee Parkway, Dallas 75219 – Hall at Lemmon)

Rei Hotoda, conductor

Dallas Symphony Orchestra

This signature parks concert will include a diverse selection of works, including those by Johann Strauss, Jr., George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, as well as selections from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker.

Prior to the concert, the Cedar Springs Merchants Association will sponsor the annual Pooch Parade for owners and their pets along Turtle Creek Boulevard at 1:00 p.m.

Rain Site: Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center

Monday, May 30, 2011 – 8:00 p.m.

Memorial Day Concert at Flagpole Hill

(8007 E. NW Hwy, Dallas 75238 – Buckner at Goforth)

Rei Hotoda, conductor

Dallas Symphony Orchestra

This signature parks concert will include fireworks and an Americana-themed program with favorites by John Williams, Aaron Copeland and Richard Rogers, paying tribute to America’s armed forces.  Mezzo-soprano soloist and Texas native Pamela King will join the DSO for America the Beautiful.

Rain Site: Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center

Wednesday, June 1, 2011 – 8:00 p.m.

Kidd Springs Park

(711 W. Canty St., Dallas 75208)

Rei Hotoda, conductor

Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Program will feature music from Bernstein’s West Side Story, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and more.

Rain Site:  Kidd Springs Recreation Center

Thursday, June 2, 2011 – 8:00 p.m.

Campbell Green Park

(16600 Park Hill Drive, Dallas 75248)

Rei Hotoda, conductor

Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Program will feature music from Bernstein’s West Side Story, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and more.

Rain Site:  Campbell Green Recreation Center

Tuesday, June 7, 2011– 8:00 p.m.

Paul Quinn College

(3837 Simpson Stuart Road, Dallas 75241)

Rei Hotoda, conductor

Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Presented in conjunction with Councilman Tennell Atkins’ office and with support by the Office of Cultural Affairs, this is the first full-orchestra performance by the DSO at Paul Quinn College.  The program will feature music from Bernstein’s West Side Story, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and more.

Rain Site:  Grand Lounge (on campus)

Tuesday, June 14, 2011 – 8:00 p.m.

Exall Park

(1355 Adair St., Dallas 75204)

Rei Hotoda, conductor

Dallas Symphony Orchestra

Program will feature music from Bernstein’s West Side Story, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and more.

Rain Site:  Latino Cultural Center, 2600 Live Oak, Dallas

Schedule and Locations are subject to change.

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra Announces 2011 Summer Concerts Series

Highlights:

  • NEW! “Romeo & Juliet” Coffee Concert with a special morning performance time
  • The highly-anticipated return of singer-songwriter Ben Folds with the DSO
  • Kenny Rogers and Johnny Mathis
  • Oz With Orchestra: The Wizard of Oz projected on the big screen accompanied live by the DSO
  • Annual Latino and African American Festival concerts

DALLAS, TX (March 21, 2011) – The Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) announces its 2011 Summer Concerts Series, on sale today. From country hit-maker Kenny Rogers and contemporary jazz saxophonist Dave Koz to the exciting return of indie-rocker Ben Folds, the DSO’s Summer Concerts at the Meyerson Symphony Center will provide memorable entertainment for the entire family.

Tickets can be purchased today by visiting DallasSymphony.com or by calling 214-692-0203.

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s 2011 Summer Concerts Series line up includes:

June 3-4, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.

Oz with Orchestra

The Dallas Symphony Summer Concerts Series opens with the unforgettable Hollywood classic The Wizard of Oz, projected on a big screen at the Meyerson Symphony Center.  The DSO performs the memorable soundtrack live along with the film.

Ticket prices range from $30 – $70.

June 9, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.

“Romeo & Juliet” Coffee Concert

Rei Hotoda, conductor

Angela Fuller, violin

Dvorak: Carnival Overture

Prokofiev: Violin Concerto No. 2

Tchaikovsky: Polonaise and Waltz

From Eugene Onegin

Tchaikovsky: Romeo and Juliet

The DSO introduces its “Romeo and Juliet” Coffee Concert, a new, casual concert concept that is a perfect interlude for a summer day.  DSO Principal Second Violinist Angela Fuller will perform the lyrical Violin Concerto No. 2 by Prokofiev, and Assistant Conductor Rei Hotoda will lead the DSO in one of Tchaikovsky’s most recognizable works, the Overture-Fantasy Romeo and Juliet, and in Dvorak’s festive Carnival Overture.

Ticket prices range from $17 – $75.

June 10, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

Latino Festival

Andrés Cárdenes, conductor

Gabriela Montero, pianist

Rossini: Barber of Seville Overture

Mendelssohn: Piano Concerto #1

Improvisations by Gabriela Montero (without orchestra)

Barroso: Brasil

Granados: Intermezzo from Goyescas

Ravel: Alborada del Gracioso

Rimsky-Korsakov: Capriccio Espagnol

The Latino Festival concert will feature Cuban-born conductor Andres Cardenas and Venezuelan-born pianist Gabriela Montero, who will perform Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and improvisations based on audience suggestions. The Latino Festival concert also features music by Granados, Ravel, Mozart and Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol.

Ticket prices range from $15 – $55.

June 11, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.

Kenny Rogers

Experience live the unmistakable voice and unforgettable hits of Kenny Rogers, whose romantic and memorable songs include “Lady,” “The Gambler,” “Lucille,” and “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town.”

Ticket prices range from $45 – $100. *Please note this performance is without orchestra.

June 12, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.

Christopher Cross and Don McLean

American pop singers Christopher Cross and Don McLean bring chart-topping songs to the Meyerson, including Cross’ “Sailing” and “Ride Like the Wind,” and McLean’s megahits “American Pie” and “Vincent (Starry Starry Night).”

Ticket prices range from $40 – $85.  *Please note this performance is without orchestra.

June 15, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.

Ben Folds with the DSO

Singer-songwriter Ben Folds returns to the Meyerson for a concert of his poetic and eclectic indie-rock anthems, including “Rockin’ the Suburbs” and “Landed,” backed by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. His is a hotly-anticipated return, as his signature blend of humor, songwriting and musicality was a hit with the DSO in 2009.

Ticket prices range from $35 – $85.

June 17, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.

African American Festival

The DSO’s annual African American Festival will feature trumpet virtuoso Byron Stripling and the Dallas Symphony performing a tribute to jazz pioneer Louis Armstrong.

Ticket prices range from $15 – $55.

June 19, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.

Dave Koz

Jazz saxophonist Dave Koz brings his energetic contemporary sounds to the Meyerson for an evening of spirited rhythms and cool vibes.

Ticket prices range from $35 – $85.  *Please note this performance is without orchestra.

August 20-21, 2011 at 8:00 p.m.

Johnny Mathis

The incomparable Johnny Mathis sings classic hits “Misty,” “Chances Are,” “It’s Not For Me To Say,” and many others in an evening of enchanting elegance. Mathis’s smooth vocals will create an unforgettable evening of beautiful music in a reprise of his engaging performance at the 20th anniversary celebration of the Meyerson in 2009.

Ticket prices range from $40 – $125.  *Please note this performance is without orchestra.

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