On Saturday, July 1, the Paderewski Festival presents Paso Pops, the annual patriotic-themed concert and Independence Day celebration in Paso Robles combining great wine, beer and food with live music, family-friendly activities and fireworks at the Paso Robles Horse Park. The 2017 “Pops” program has been announced, with an important reminder to those planning to attend that the deadline for ticket purchases is June 29 – unless the event sells out earlier. No day-of tickets will be sold.
The San Luis Obispo Symphony, paired with Youth Symphony members, and led by Guest Conductor Christopher J. Woodruff will perform a 90-minute patriotic “Pops” program. Pieces to be performed will include: Bernstein’s Overture to Candide; Copland’s Variations on a Shaker Melody; Ward/Dragon’s America the Beautiful; Gershwin/Bennett’s Porgy and Bess: Symphonic Picture; and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture set to a cannon fusillade with a rousing fireworks finale.
Other planned highlights of the evening will be a Military Honor Guard presentation, the Star-Spangled Banner sung by Alodie Ayers with the Singing Hands Children’s Choir and Paso Robles High School Advanced Choir, and emcee Paso Wine Man Casey Biggs. Paderewski Festival Youth Piano Competition Winners Jack Raventos and Sarah Girges will perform solos of Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in g, Op 23 No. 5 and Chopin/Liszt’s The Maiden’s Wish.
A debut Paso Pops performance by the Swing Dolls of Los Angeles will include performances of “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree”, “Hold Tight”, “Salute to the Armed Forces” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.”
A new addition for Paso Pops 2017 is an after party featuring music by Ricky Montijo and the Mojitos immediately following Paso Pops and fireworks finale for patrons who wish to extend the evening and avoid after-event traffic.
The main sponsors of Paso Pops 2017 are Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Travel Paso Robles Alliance, Allegretto Resort and Cass Winery.
Net proceeds from Paso Pops will be distributed to the Paderewski Festival Youth Piano Competition and Student Cultural Exchange Program, San Luis Obispo Youth Symphony, Studios on the Park Youth Art Program and Paso Robles Youth Arts Foundation.
To become a Paso Pops table sponsor, to purchase tickets, or for day-of information such as food and parking instructions, please visit www.pasopops.org. Direct ticket purchases can be made at www.eventbrite.com/e/2017-paso-pops-tickets-29703806886?aff=eac2#tickets. For individuals without web access, call 805-235-5409.
The Paderewski Festival in Paso Robles is a 501c3 non-profit that sponsors an annual series of concerts featuring internationally acclaimed artists, the Paderewski Festival Youth Piano Competition and Youth Exchange Program, and other Paderewski-themed events. This year’s Festival will be held November 2-5, 2017 at various venues in Paso Robles.