The 8th Annual Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series kicks off Thursday, July 10, at 7:00 p.m. waterside at Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey, Supervisor Don Knabe announced recently.
The concert series is presented free to the public by Arrowhead Mountain Spring Water, and will offer Classical Thursdays, and on alternate weeks, Pop Saturdays, bringing to the Marina internationally famed artists from the worlds of pop and jazz. Popular KUSC personality Rich Capparela appears as series host.
The Classical Thursday series starts July 10, with the brilliant young Polish cellist Marek Szpakiewicz as soloist in the Elgar Cello Concerto in E minor, and music by Ravel, Poulenc, and Hindemith. July 24 introduces a new Night at the Opera event, featuring some of the nation’s most important operatic talents, finalists in the famed Loren L. Zachary National Vocal Competition. August 7 promises to be one of the most exciting symphonic programs the series has ever presented, including works by Gershwin, Ravel, Debussy, Shostakovich, and Respighi’s masterpiece Roman Festivals; and August 24 features the brilliant young pianist John Novacek as soloist in Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto no. 2 in C minor.
The Pop Saturday series opens on July 19 with Grammy winning singer Melissa Manchester; followed on August 2 by Steve March Torm, a singer some critics predict will be the Sinatra of his generation. On August 16, The 5th Dimension will thrill audiences with their greatest hits; and closing the season on August 30 are Cleo Laine and John Dankworth in one of this series’ most popular concerts.
Sponsors of the Marina del Rey Summer Concerts are Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe; The Department of Beaches and Harbors; and The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey. KUSC classical fm 91.5 is the Media Sponsor. For further information call (310) 305-9545 or visit www.marinadelrey.lacounty.gov