One of San Diego’s most exciting and time-honored and musical summer traditions gets underway this weekend as the San Diego Symphony announces its lineup for Summer Pops 2015 presented by Ashford University. Starting now, those subscribing to the summer series can begin purchasing their tickets and planning for the 10-week extravaganza with most concerts led by San Diego Symphony’s popular and enduring, principal pops conductor Matthew Garbutt. The Summer Pops run from the Fourth of July Weekend through Labor Day Weekend with a special Tux ‘n Tennies kick-off event saluting the Beach Boys that gets the Summer Pops wave rolling. There are fireworks at the conclusion of all concerts on Friday and Saturday nights—and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the Fourth of July and Labor Day Weekends.
The setting: The Summer Pops takes place each year at Embarcadero Marina Park South, one of the most picturesque spots in all of San Diego—perhaps in the entire country. The Summer Pops concert bookends: The patriotic Star Spangled Pops on July 3, 4 and 5 and the booming grand finale 1812 Tchaikovsky Spectacular on Sept. 4, 5 and 6 have proven to be two of the all-time, audience favorites year after year. This summer, the Star Spangled Pops features principal pops conductor Bill Conti returning to the podium to lead the orchestra along with special guest—TV’s American Idol and Chula Vista native, Jessica Sanchez.
Bugs, Broadway…Ol’ Blue Eyes is back!
A recurring and reassuring nostalgia theme plays heavily as the Summer Pops marks three musical milestones sure to please the summer crowds. On July 26, we will commemorate 25 years since the Warner Bros. movie classic, Bugs Bunny at the Symphony II, made its debut at the Summer Pops—but this time featuring all-new HD prints with the score performed live on stage by the San Diego Symphony. On the weekend of August 7 and 8, it’s A Rodgers & Hammerstein Celebration as a cast of Broadway veterans pay tribute to the musical creators of South Pacific, The King and I, Oklahoma—and the beloved The Sound of Music now marking its 50th anniversary. A Salute to the Chairman of the Board—Ol’ Blue Eyes himself—Frank Sinatra At 100. Fly Me to the Moon, Strangers in the Night and My Way come to life in the persona and voice of today’s premiere Sinatra vocalist, Cary Hoffman.
“The 2015 Summer Pops bring a combination of familiar and new to the stage. What is common to all of our summer concerts is that they showcase the San Diego Symphony and its artistry and sound. Celebrating musical milestones such as the 25th anniversary of Bugs Bunny at the Symphony II is nostalgic to those audiences who remember our orchestra performing the premiere of this classic,” states Martha Gilmer, chief executive officer of the San Diego Symphony. “In addition to past favorites, I am particularly excited to welcome artists to our stage for the very first time. One example is Esperanza Spalding, who trained as a classical bass player and singer. She counts as her influences artists such as Madonna and Ornette Coleman as well as styles from jazz and fusion to hip-hop and Brazilian.”
Comic-Con, Classic Rock—and Pops Goes Classical
San Diego takes center stage as the Comic-Con conventioneers in all their regalia descend upon the city. Coinciding with the throngs of masked men and super heroes is the Summer Pops presentations of Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions and the movie Star Trek: Into Darkness with the score performed by the San Diego Symphony. For the rockers among us, mark your calendars for August 27, 28 and 29. First up on Thursday the 27th for one night only is a Tribute to Journey. Among the hit songs, this Journey tribute band as big and bold as the original will perform the anthem of a generation—Don’t Stop Believin’. Then on Friday and Saturday, Kansas vocalist John Elefante leads and outstanding lineup of talented veterans saluting celebrated rock bands from A to Z…Aerosmith to Led Zeppelin. At the other end of the musical spectrum is Pops Goes Classical, the summer’s annual Passport to the World. On August 2, it’s A Night in Spain as we feature the celebrated Spanish composers Enrique Granados and Manuel de Falla.
Hooray for Hollywood: Summer Pops Celebrates the Silver Screen
Music and movies go hand in hand. In an evening devoted to the magic of film, Hooray for Hollywood presents carefully chosen clips from dozens of movie treasures including Star Wars, James Bond and Psycho to be shown on the big screen above the stage while the orchestra performs the soundtracks of our lives. For those want to grab some popcorn, sit back and enjoy a full-length feature film, there’s Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest where audiences can follow the antics of Johnny Depp and company while the San Diego Symphony performs the swashbuckling score. In 2013, audiences were wowed when the Summer Pops presented Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl.
Music, Music and More Music: Burt Bacharach, LeAnn Rimes
In one of the most anticipated concerts of the summer, perennial favorite, living legend and national treasure Burt Bacharach brings his timeless music and lush orchestrations along with his trio of singers to the Summer Pops for one night only: August 16. Her voice is pure magic. LeAnn Rimes has been a star since she was 13. This summer she makes her long-awaited return to the Summer Pops on August 21 and 22.
From disco to swing, jazz and Dixieland: The fabulous women of Radiance take center stage as they salute The Divas of Disco including Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor and The Pointer Sisters on July 24 and 25. The weekend just prior, Embarcadero Marina Park South will be jumpin’ with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and its high energy and big band sound.
Alternative rock and then back to Broadway: Singer/songwriter and alternative pop/rock icon, Ben Folds, performs on July 30. Then on August 23, Seinfeld star and Tony Award-winning Broadway actor brings his songs of the musical theater along with a few surprises to the Summer Pops for one night only.
Summer Pops Subscriptions, Seating, Parking
The Summer Pops subscriptions include The Ultimate Series (10 concerts); Bravo Series (five concerts); and Encore Series (five concerts). In addition to the three subscription packages, patrons can add any of the one night only special concerts and receive a 50 percent discount for these add-ons.
Subscription prices range from $85 to $750 and include a variety of seating options: champagne and cabaret table seating for up to four people; grandstand and lawn.
Parking is available at surface lots adjacent to the Embarcadero Marina Park South and also at the garage under the Convention Center. Shuttle golf cart transportation is available from the parking areas taking patrons the short distance to the venue entrance.
For further information or to purchase a Summer Pops subscription, a Symphony box office representative is available at 619.235.0804. To review the Summer Pops schedule and purchase online, please visit: www.sandiegosymphony.com.
