Michael Feinstein to Swing to Gershwin Alongside Pasadena POPS

Michael Feinstein and the Pasadena POPS jazz up the Los Angeles County Arboretum stage with an evening devoted to one of America's most beloved musical icons for Gershwin & Friends on Saturday, August 19th. No one is better equipped to honor the Jazz-Age stylings of Gershwin than Principal Pops Conductor Michael Feinstein, who got his start as Ira Gershwin's archivist. Working under Ira's tutelage for over six years, Feinstein had access to rare, unpublished sheet music and recordings, some of which he will dust off for this special occasion for once in a lifetime renditions.

Celebrate under the stars as Feinstein uncovers treasures from his personal archives with "Someone to Watch Over Me, "I Got Rhythm," "Embraceable You," plus gems from Gershwin's contemporaries like Kern, Bernstein and Copland. For the evening's program, Feinstein will review a whole genre spun by Gershwin, that brought together the worlds of symphonic and popular music.

"The idea of Gershwin and friends is a very exciting concept to present with the Pasadena Pops. When George Gershwin burst on the scene in the 1920's with his "Rhapsody in Blue" and the "Concerto in F" there were many other writers who tried to emulate Gershwin by combining concert music (classical music) with jazz and pop. It wasn't just classical music, it wasn't just jazz. It wasn't just popular song or film scoring. It was the birth of a seminal sound that still deeply resonates with people today."

- Michael Feinstein

As Feinstein transports the audience back to the Jazz Age, he will be joined on stage by three sparkling vocalists. Jordan Donica was able to take a brief respite from the national tour of Hamilton to grace the stage alongside Broadway veteran Rachel York, best known for roles in City of Angels, Victor/Victoria, and as Fantine in Les Misérables. York's seasoned soprano will be well complemented by up and comer Madelyn Baillio, who recently rose to fame starring in NBC's Hairspray Live! in the role of Tracy Turnblad. Along with a duo of dancers that will accompany some special pieces, Feinstein expects these three varied talents to express the different aspects of Gershwin and friends in the most gratifying way.

All Pasadena POPS concerts are held at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden. Grounds open for picnicking and dining at 5:30pm and performances begin at 7:30pm. Don't miss the best outdoor dinner party in town with spacious circular table seating with fine linens, or lawn seating for those who want to bring a blanket - each option carries on the tradition of picnic-dining with your family and friends with Pasadena's premier POPS orchestra! Among many venue amenities, concert goers can enjoy pre-ordered gourmet dining packages for on-site pickup just steps from their table from Julienne, Marston's and Claud & Co. The food court hosts mouth-watering food trucks plus specialty ice creams by Choctál, and the venue now offers the convenience of two full beverage centers serving fine wines, beer, coffee and soft drinks.

Audiences get the ultimate outdoor concert experience with large LED video screens to see Michael Feinstein and the orchestra up close, superior sound and the high-quality production value that is a signature of the Pasadena POPS. Patrons may also visit the Pasadena Humane Society's Mobile Adoption Unit, which will be on-site prior to each concert with deserving animals in need of a forever home as part of the Pups for POPS program. For those who want to make a night of it, exclusive hotel packages are available for POPS patrons at Pasadena's landmark Hotel Constance.
The Arboretum is located at 301 North Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA. Subscribers may pre-purchase parking on-site at the Arboretum, and all concertgoers enjoy free parking at the adjacent Westfield Santa Anita shopping center with complimentary non-stop shuttle service to the Arboretum's main entrance.

Single tickets start at $25 and are available by calling the box office at (626)-793-7172, online at PasadenaSymphony-Pops.org, or at the Arboretum on the day of the concert.

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