Philly POPS Sets New Memorial Day Concert

The Philly POPS announced its summer line-up today: A new Memorial Day concert at the Mann Center for the Performing Arts will honor veterans and the military and the annual free Independence Day Weekend show will entertain tens of thousands of Philadelphians and visitors.

These Salute Series activities continue into the fall with a performance at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Ceremony on Veterans Day and on December 2, with the annual I'll Be Home for Christmas: A Salute to the Military and First Responders benefit concert for military, veterans, Philadelphia police officers and fire fighters.

Memorial Day Salute
For the first time ever, the POPS and the Mann Center for the Performing Arts will present Memorial Salute, a concert honoring the American tradition of service on Saturday, May 28 at 7pm during Memorial Day weekend. In celebration of all those who serve, complimentary tickets will be given to 2,000 veterans, active military, Philadelphia police officers, firefighters, and their families.

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. Blackwell is currently a cast member of the Lion King on Broadway and recently brought down the house with her performance Natural Woman during the POPS' Carole King concert series. 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.

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.

July 3
The POPS is back on Independence Mall on Sunday, July 3 during the Wawa Welcome America festival. Music Director Michael Krajewski and the 65-piece POPS orchestra will perform a patriotic, entertaining show featuring guest artists Allison Blackwell and Justin Hopkins. Hopkins is also a Philadelphia native who began singing at the age of 8 with the Philadelphia Boys Choir. Today he is standout among his peers on the operatic stage with an extensive resume of opera roles and concert appearances throughout the country.

POPS on Independence has become a Philadelphia tradition enjoyed by more than 10,000 area residents and visitors each year. The POPS looks forward to an expanded role in this year's Wawa Welcome America festival.

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