HAMPTON ROADS, VA [August 21, 2018] – Scenic outdoor venues across Hampton Roads – including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Williamsburg and Yorktown – will each host Virginia Symphony Orchestra concerts “Under the Stars” August 30 through September 2, as part of its popular annual Labor Day weekend celebrations.
All four concerts are free and open to the public.
Making his “Under the Stars” debut at these concerts will be new VSO Assistant Conductor Gonzalo Farias, appointed last month by the Symphony after a nationwide search. The repertoire for the weekend series will include works from classical greats like Beethoven’s Fidelio Overture and Verdi’s “Triumphant March” from Aida, plus music from popular contemporary composers, including like excerpts from The Sound of Music by Richard Rodgers and music by John Williams from Star Wars: The Force Awakens. For a comprehensive look at the repertoire, visit virginiasymphony.org/symphony-under-the-stars.
“These wonderful free outdoor concerts have become an annual tradition in the Hampton Roads region,” said VSO President and CEO Karen Philion in announcing the concerts. “They are a gift to the tens-of-thousands of our friends and neighbors who turn out to enjoy these relaxed evenings under the stars with blankets and picnics each year, made possible through the support of so many generous community leaders, business partners, colleagues, and gifts from Orchestra fans.”
Here’s a breakdown of the free Labor Day weekend concerts announced:
Thursday, August 30, 2018 | 7:00 PM | Lake Matoaka, Williamsburg (at the College of William & Mary)
The Virginia Symphony returns once again to William & Mary’s Lake Matoaka Amphitheatre. Guests are invited to bring family and friends, beach chairs and blankets. Personal coolers and picnic baskets will be permitted; however, no external alcohol will be allowed. Sponsors include the City of Williamsburg, the College of William & Mary, and William & Mary’s Student Assembly.
Wrist bands will be required for guests to enter due to venue capacity limitations. They will be distributed at the main gate beginning at 5:30 p.m. until they run out. Gates will open at 6:00 p.m.
Friday, August 31, 2018 | 7:00 PM | Waterside District, Norfolk
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra Brass section will perform a medley of songs at the Waterside District along the Elizabeth River in Downtown Norfolk.
Saturday, September 1, 2018 | 7:30 PM | Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown
The VSO returns to historic Yorktown for the annual performance under the stars. Free and open to the public. Come early for a pre-concert performance by the Fifes and Drums of Yorktown, and a “just for fun” judging of the most creative picnic set-up at 6 PM. For more information, call 757.890.4490. Concert presented by Celebrate Yorktown Committee of the Yorktown Foundation.
Sunday, September 2, 2018 | 7:30 PM | Chesapeake City Park
The VSO returns to Chesapeake City Park once again for a performance on the Bagley Stage. Bring lawn chairs and/or blanket (no pop-up tents permitted). Food vendors on-site. Concessions open for a picnic dinner at 6PM. Concert begins at 7PM. Concert presented by the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission, ArtsALIVE! and Chesapeake Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department. The concert sponsored by Carl’s Wash.
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Under the leadership of GRAMMY-winning music director JoAnn Falletta, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra is Virginia’s preeminent professional symphony orchestra with a mission of inspiring, educating and connecting audiences of all ages.
Founded in 1921, it is ranked in the top ten percent of professional orchestras nationwide and serves the entire Southeastern Virginia region with Classics, Pops and Family concert series in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News and Williamsburg as well as performances in outlying Virginia and North Carolina communities, reaching nearly 150,000 concert-goers every year. Additionally, the orchestra annually reaches 45,000 children, students and lifelong learners with its education and community programs. The Virginia Symphony has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center and is the cornerstone of the performing arts in Hampton Roads.
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August 21, 2018
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