Pack your Picnic For Charlotte Symphony Summer Pops !

Band Shell is located on the corner of Morrison & Barclay Downs

You know its almost summer when the Charlotte Symphony announces its Summer Pops Concert series for the month of June, ending with the patriotic Celebrate America concert complete with an amazing fireworks show! (Bring your sparklers!) Held in South Charlotte at Symphony Park located in SouthPark Mall, this Charlotte tradition has been around for 29 years and is reminiscent of my many years in the 80s and 90s going to Piedmont Park in Atlanta to listen to the Atlanta Symphony, musicals such as Porgy and Bess and wonderful jazz music by various performers. The best part was that it was all freebut that was a long time ago. But, for 10 bucks for adults and children under 18 are free its still a great bargain! (or you can purchase a pass for $35 for the whole series online.)

There is a prelude which usually starts at 7pm(special performances by local musicians) and the main concert begins at 8ishThere will be five performances ranging from classical music to Hollywood movie soundtracks to some of your favorite Broadway tunes. Summer Pops begins Sunday, June 10^th!

So, for you first-timers, here is the real scoop on what to do because this event will be packed with people! First of all, you must get there early to stake out your spot. People used to lay their blankets or tarps down the night before but now youhave to wait until the gates open at 5PM. There will be food and beverage vendors but most folks bring their wine, cheese and bucket of fried chicken (hey, we are in the South!). Rolling coolers, beach chairs (low chairs, please, so the folks behind you can see) and the usual accoutrement from candles to the fancy picnic basket you picked up at Crate and Barrel. If you want to really hear the music, get fairly close because this is a huge outdoor cocktail party and people do talk during the performance. Pets are not allowed for safety purposes and smoking is only allowed outside the fenced area.

Pops in the Park Schedule:

SYMPHONY PARK SERENADE Sun Jun 10 Albert-George Schram, conducting

SYMPHONIC PASSION Sun Jun 17 Jacomo Rafael Bairos, conducting

VIVE LA FRANCE Sun Jun 24 Albert-George Schram, conducting

THREE GREAT AMERICAN COMPOSERS: GERSHWIN, BERNSTEIN AND RODGERS Sun Jul 1 Albert-George Schram, conducting

CELEBRATE AMERICA!Tues Jul 3 Albert-George Schram, conducting