News
Entertainment
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — A time-honored community tradition continues Aug. 27.
The 19th annual “Evening Under the Stars” event, a kick-off to the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra's concert season, will be staged at Lincoln Park. Music from the orchestra, the Centennial Band and local percussion group Talking Rhythms begins at 6:30 p.m.
Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets and set up to enjoy an evening of music in the great Grand Junction outdoors.
As in past years, bratwursts and other treats will be served up by the Symphony Guild, starting at 5:30 p.m.
“Year after year, I look forward to Evening Under the Stars as one of our community's signature family events of the summer,” said Steve Irion, Wells Fargo market president for Grand Junction.
“The talented musicians of the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra and the Centennial Band are an important part of the diverse programs that make Grand Junction such a great place to live, work, visit and do business.”
The evening is underwritten by Wells Fargo and is free to concertgoers.
This year, there are a few extras to look forward to: The symphony will have its popular Instrument Petting Zoo on hand from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The Petting Zoo, started in 2008, is exactly what it says it is according to Executive Director Michael Schwerin.
“We corral instruments (and musicians) and bring them to fairs, festivals, concerts — anyplace where there are lots of kids. Instruments are expensive and sometimes delicate, so they are an item that children normally wouldn't get a chance to handle and explore.”
Then the musicians go to work, showing participants how to hold the instrument and teaching them to make a sound. There are brass, string, woodwind and percussion instruments available to try. There is no age limit and kids of all ages can try out their musical chops.
Music will not be the only focus of the night this year. The fruits of local artists' labor will be on display as part of the symphony's “Painted Instrument Project” fundraiser.
Local artist Sara Oakley volunteered her time to coordinate the project.
“The gist is that the symphony has provided recognizable but not particularly playable musical instruments (brass, woodwind and string) which we have painted, used in a sculpture, embellished or otherwise creatively altered into works of art,” said Oakley.
At least three of the contributing artists, Doris Janowski, Greg Vigil and Donna Bergman, will be on hand at the Aug. 27 event to answer questions about their work and mingle with patrons. After the Evening under the Stars, the works become a traveling exhibit and the project culminates in an auction at the annual symphony gala.
The evening marks the start of the symphony's 34th season and maestro Kirk Gustafson's 24th year as music director.
For more information, call 970-243-6787 or visit www.gjsymphony.org
-------------
Kristen Woods-Madril is marketing director for the GJ Symphony.
The 19th annual “Evening Under the Stars” event, a kick-off to the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra's concert season, will be staged at Lincoln Park. Music from the orchestra, the Centennial Band and local percussion group Talking Rhythms begins at 6:30 p.m.
Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets and set up to enjoy an evening of music in the great Grand Junction outdoors.
As in past years, bratwursts and other treats will be served up by the Symphony Guild, starting at 5:30 p.m.
“Year after year, I look forward to Evening Under the Stars as one of our community's signature family events of the summer,” said Steve Irion, Wells Fargo market president for Grand Junction.
“The talented musicians of the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra and the Centennial Band are an important part of the diverse programs that make Grand Junction such a great place to live, work, visit and do business.”
The evening is underwritten by Wells Fargo and is free to concertgoers.
This year, there are a few extras to look forward to: The symphony will have its popular Instrument Petting Zoo on hand from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The Petting Zoo, started in 2008, is exactly what it says it is according to Executive Director Michael Schwerin.
“We corral instruments (and musicians) and bring them to fairs, festivals, concerts — anyplace where there are lots of kids. Instruments are expensive and sometimes delicate, so they are an item that children normally wouldn't get a chance to handle and explore.”
Then the musicians go to work, showing participants how to hold the instrument and teaching them to make a sound. There are brass, string, woodwind and percussion instruments available to try. There is no age limit and kids of all ages can try out their musical chops.
Music will not be the only focus of the night this year. The fruits of local artists' labor will be on display as part of the symphony's “Painted Instrument Project” fundraiser.
Local artist Sara Oakley volunteered her time to coordinate the project.
“The gist is that the symphony has provided recognizable but not particularly playable musical instruments (brass, woodwind and string) which we have painted, used in a sculpture, embellished or otherwise creatively altered into works of art,” said Oakley.
At least three of the contributing artists, Doris Janowski, Greg Vigil and Donna Bergman, will be on hand at the Aug. 27 event to answer questions about their work and mingle with patrons. After the Evening under the Stars, the works become a traveling exhibit and the project culminates in an auction at the annual symphony gala.
The evening marks the start of the symphony's 34th season and maestro Kirk Gustafson's 24th year as music director.
For more information, call 970-243-6787 or visit www.gjsymphony.org
-------------
Kristen Woods-Madril is marketing director for the GJ Symphony.
GO&DO
WHAT: GJ Symphony's “Evening Under the Stars”
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Sat., Aug. 27 WHERE: Lincoln Park COST: Free; bratwursts and treats will be for sale INFO: 970-243-6787, www.gjsymphony.org |
