Summer Sensations with the San Diego Symphony

One of San Diego's most popular and picturesque summer traditions is undoubtedly the San Diego Symphony's Summer Pops Series. Each season, from July through September, the symphony presents this outdoor musical extravaganza at the Embarcadero Marina Park South.

Featuring food and drink, fireworks and fantastic performances under the stars, Sum- mer Pops mixes classical favorites, pop music, tributes and more in a festive atmosphere on the waterfront, all under the baton of principal conductor, Matthew Garbutt. The San Diego Symphony performed its first concert in 1910, in the 100-plus years since its inception, it has become one of the leading orchestras in the United States and was designated a Tier 1 Orches-
tra by the League of American Orchestras in 2010.

The following is a list of some of the upcoming summer pops concerts to choose from for your summertime fun with the San Diego Symphony:

STAR SPANGLED POPS with BILL CONTI
Bill Conti, iconic composer behind the music of the "Rocky" franchise and a five-time Emmy Award-winner, conducts this patriotic spectacular featuring all-American hits from Main Street to Broadway. This annual Independence Day celebration on Friday, Saturday and Sunday July 4, 5 and 6 comes complete with John Philip Sousa marches, a tribute to the military and a spectacular fireworks display to light up the San Diego sky!

BOZ SCAGGS: THE MEMPHIS TOUR
Easy listening sounds will echo across the bay when Boz Scaggs sails into town on Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12. Scaggs launched his recording career in 1969 with his self-titled debut album. The album met with much success and set the tone for Scaggs' impressive career, marked by numerous hits featuring his unique mix of blues and R&B sounds. Sit back, relax and chill, this show will be as cool as a summer breeze. (Tickets include a post-concert fireworks display.)

THE MUSIC OF ABBA
If you love ABBA, you won't want to miss this musical montage on Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19, celebrating one of the best-selling groups in the history of music. The concert features original members of the band's rhythm section and creates a truly unique experience that will have you on your feet singing every last word to the Scandinavian pop sensation's favorites, like: "Dancing Queen," "Take a Chance on Me," "SOS," "The Winner Takes It All," "Super Trouper" and "Mamma Mia." (Tickets also include a post-concert fireworks display.)

VIDEO GAMES LIVE
Gamers and non-gamers alike won't want to miss this explosive, one-of-a-kind entertainment experience. Video Games Live returns to Summer Pops on Thursday, July 24 after a five-year absence. This visual and action-packed sensory extravaganza combines music from the greatest video games of all time, as performed live with the San Diego Symphony, with synchronized lighting and even some real on-stage game-playing.

STAR TREK (2009)
Get your geek on and celebrate Comic-Con weekend with the San Diego Symphony. A wide screen showing of the highly successful J. J. Abrams' 2009
"Star Trek" film will be presented on Saturday, July 26. The soundtrack will be performed live by the Symphony in the "out of this world" special Summer Pops event.

BROADWAY TONIGHT: FEATURING THE MUSICAL CHICAGO
Let the magical music of Bob Fosse's smash Broadway musical Chicago "razzle-dazzle" you on Friday and Saturday, August 8 and 9. The concert features Tony Award-winner Debbie Gravitte along with Ryan Silverman, Broadway's most recently acclaimed Billy Flynn. Broadway veteran Doug LaBrecque and Morgan James complete this award-winning cast, performing hits from the Great White Way's "Wicked," "Hairspray," "Chicago" and more. (Tickets include a post-concert fireworks display.)

CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE
The jaw-dropping fusion of circus and orchestra returns to Summer Pops on Friday and Saturday, August 15 and 16. Aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers, balancers and strongmen are among the talented performers who will take the stage. Thrill to the musical acrobatics of the outstanding San Diego Symphony musicians as they synchronize spectacular classical music to the cirque performer's astounding feats. (Tickets include a post-concert fireworks display.)

BURT BACHARACH
You know his name and you definitely know his tunes. For over half a century, legendary pianist and composer Burt Bacharach has enriched the soundtrack of our lives, working with artists ranging from Dusty Springfield and The Beatles, to Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick. Enjoy a stroll down musical memory lane on Sunday, August 17, when Burt and his trio of singers joins the San Diego Symphony to perform his unrivaled list of hits, which includes: "What the World Needs Now is Love," "I Say A Little Prayer," "The Look of Love," "Walk on By" and
"Always Something There to Remind Me."

VANESSA WILLIAMS
One of the performance highlights this summer will take place on Friday and Saturday, August 22 and 23, when stage and screen superstar Vanessa Williams will grace the Summer Pops stage. This multi-talented artist is a veteran Broadway actress and has starred in several award-winning shows. As a recording artist, Williams has sold millions of albums worldwide and garnered 11 Grammy-nominations, and she is also known for her three-time Emmy-nominated per- formance as Wilhelmina Slater in Ugly Betty. (Tickets include a post-concert fireworks display.)

For tickets and more information or for a complete Summer Pops schedule, call 619.235.0804 or go to sandiegosymphony.com