The annual Summer Parks Concert Series, which offers free Akron Symphony Orchestra concerts in scenic park locations throughout Akron, kicks off Sunday, July 28, 7:30 p.m., at Forest Lodge Park, 260 Greenwood Ave., in Akron.
Other performances include Aug. 4 at Goodyear Metro Park, 2077 Newton St., and Aug. 11, at Firestone Metro Park, 2620 Harrington Road.
The Orchestra will play music from Beethoven, Dvorak and John Williams, and the concert will feature dances with orchestral music from “Riverdance,” Brahms’ “Hungarian Dance No. 5” and Can-can from Offenbach’s “Orpheus in the Underworld.”
The show also will feature spirituals with tenor Brandon Bell and Sousa’s “Nobles of the Mystic Shrine,” an instrumental piece that was arranged by David Kemper, who adapted the work from Sousa’s original.
“These Akron Symphony programs are part of a long American tradition of popular orchestral concerts performed outdoors in the summertime for families,” said Akron Symphony Orchestra Music Director Christopher Wilkins. “John Philip Sousa and Arthur Fiedler helped establish the tradition; the city of Akron and the Akron Symphony are keeping it strong here in Akron.”
The Akron Symphony also has partnered with United Way of Summit County, to benefit Akron Public Schools with its Stuff the Bus school supply drive. Each concert will provide guests a chance to donate school supplies to help students in grades K through 6. There will also be food trucks at the July 28 and Aug. 11 concerts.
For info, visit www.akronsymphony.org.
