Symphony Opens Season With Two Pops in the Park Concerts

The Tulare County Symphony always kicks off its season with a fun Pops in the Park concert, but this year you have a choice between a concert at Oval Park in Visalia on Friday, September 11 and one at Zumwalt Park in Tulare on Saturday, September 12.

The extra Visalia concert came about because Ryan Stillwater of the Visalia Rescue Mission got a Visalia City Arts Grant to help underwrite it.

“This may seem like an unlikely choice for some, but it will provide exposure to many kids around the park who would otherwise not experience this sort of event,” Stillwater said. “Who knows, the next Bruce Kiesling could be a third grader from the neighborhood.”

All tickets sold at the gate at Oval Park will benefit the Visalia Rescue Mission.

At both concerts, the orchestra will play Americana music and marches, movie music, as well as give a sneak peek at the upcoming season. Vocalists Rosalinda Verde, a favorite at the Pops, and Steven Braswell will perform. Braswell portrayed Jesus in this summer’s League of Christian Actors’ production of “Godspell.”

The gates will open at 5pm so the audience can bring a picnic and enjoy the last days of summer before the concert at 8pm. Children can try out playing instruments at the instrument “petting zoo,” and they will also be invited by Music Director Bruce Kiesling to have a few minutes on the podium directing the orchestra.

In Tulare there will be food vendors, as well as face painting for children. In Visalia, the audience is invited to buy food items from restaurants located around the Oval.

Those attending the concerts will have the first chance to see the beautiful new symphony program and to buy symphony t-shirts in the season’s theme “Rock Stars.”

Tickets are $20 for adults and free for youth 12 and under with a paid adult.

In Tulare, you can reserve an up-front table for $250.

Call the symphony at 732-8600 or visit www.tularecountysymphony.org.

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