Allison Blackwell, Hugh Panaro & More to Join Philly POPS for Memorial Day Concert

On Memorial Day weekend, the POPS and the Mann Center for the Performing Arts will present Memorial Salute, Philadelphia's first major Memorial Day concert. The concert, on Saturday, May 28 at 7p.m., will honor the American tradition of service and celebrate all those who serve, with 2,000 complimentary tickets provided to veterans, active military, Philadelphia police officers and firefighters, and their families. Additional tickets have been made available to select School District of Philadelphia students, Boy and Girl Scouts.

The United States Army, Navy and Marine Corps were established in Philadelphia by the Continental Congress over 240 years ago. Today, Pennsylvania is home to thousands of veterans. Despite this deep military history, Philadelphia currently lacks a high-profile Memorial Day event. Similar to the POPS' annual Christmas Salute concert which kicks off the holiday season with a free concert for members of the military and first-responder communities, and the annual patriotic July 3rd concert on Independence Mall, this Memorial Salute speaks to the POPS' commitment to serving those who serve through its Salute Series.

"It's time that Philadelphia honored our nation's protectors with an inspirational, large-scale musical event, as our neighbor to the south, Washington, D.C., does," said Frank Giordano, President and CEO, Philly POPS. "Join us in making Memorial Salute a Philadelphia tradition - with the Philly POPS, Allison Blackwell and Hugh Panaro, you're in for a treat!"

Native Philadelphians and Broadway stars Allison Blackwell and Hugh Panaro will join Music Director Michael Krajewski and the 65-piece POPS orchestra as guest vocalists for an unforgettable evening. Allison Blackwell most recently performed in the Lion King on Broadway and brought down the house with her performance of Natural Woman during the POPS' Carole King concert series in February. Panaro played the role of the Phantom in Broadway's The Phantom of the Opera over 2,000 times and became a POPS fan favorite following his performance in the popular Christmas show in 2014.

Adding to the rich sound of the concert will be the Voices of the POPS, the ensemble of professional vocalists which regularly performs at POPS shows. Led by choral director Jeff Kern, The Voices consists of four sopranos, three mezzo-sopranos, three tenors, and three baritones who possess an extensive array of theatrical, operatic and choral experience.

"We are thrilled to partner with the POPS to present this Memorial Day celebration at the Mann," said Catherine Cahill, President and CEO, Mann Center for the Performing Arts. "Whether under the magnificent pavilion, or spread on the Great Lawn with a picnic, the Mann is the perfect venue to enjoy a lively POPS performance and honor the sacrifice of our men and women in uniform."

Low cost tickets will be available undercover in the pavilion, or on the Great Lawn where attendees will be able to bring blankets and picnic dinners. Tickets ranging $15-$25 will help to offset the cost of hosting the veterans, military and first responders at this community-focused event.

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