Pasadena Pops presents in concert "Michael Feinstein Sings Broadway" at the Los Angeles County Arboretum, July 29. Future concerts include "The Music of Queen" on August 26 and "Hollywood Blockbusters" on September 9.
Michael Feinstein was appointed principal conductor of Pasadena Pops Orchestra, following the sudden death of conductor Marvin Hamlisch. The summer concert series continues at Los Angeles County Arboretum.
Pasadena Symphony Association and its Pasadena Pops Orchestra, will take over the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden's 2012 summer concerts, which had featured the California Philharmonic Orchestra and its music director Victor Vener for 14 years.
California Philharmonic Orchestra officials held a press conference and said they do not know why the county decided to end a 15-year run of concerts at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden with them. The press conference was held at Cal Phil's new office in Arcadia. In attendance were Cal Phil founder and Music Director Victor Vener, his son Andre Vener (the orchestra's CEO), Robert W. Miller (member of the Cal Phil board), Michael Arnold (principal clarinetist), Barbara Hicks (volunteer) and 20 protesters who had picketed at the Arboretum, in reaction to the ouster of the orchestra.
Pasadena Symphony announces Brett Mitchell as new music director, beginning a 5-year tenure on April 1. The Pasadena Symphony makes up half of the Pasadena Symphony and Pops Organization, and officials said Michael Feinstein will continue as conductor of the Pasadena Pops, which presents an annual summer concert series at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden.
Songwriter and composer Marvin Hamlisch dies at age 68. He had been the Principal conductor of Pasadena Pops Orchestra. His last concert was July 21 at the Los Angeles County Arboretum.
California Philharmonic (Cal Phil) has announced its 2012 summer concert season is moving to Santa Anita Park. Cal Phil Music Director Victor Vener said a multi-year contract would be signed with the track, making the deal a partnership. CalPhil had been considered a Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden tenant for the past 15 years. The 2012 season will open June 30.
Battle of the Bands. Two major orchestras change venues for summer programs. CalPhil will be performing at Santa Anita Park's infield, while Pasadena Pops Orchestra will be performing at the Los Angeles County Arboretum.
Pasadena Pops Orchestra debuts its first summer season at the Los Angeles County Arboretum today with Marvin Hamlisch, composer and conductor. The CalPhil lost out to the Pasadena Pops in a bid to stay at the Arboretum and CalPhil signed up with neighboring Santa Anita Park instead.
Melissa Huff, a sophomore at Arcadia High School, was the victim of a burglary in which her custom-made prosthetic leg was stolen. It is valued at $5000 to $7000.
Arcadian Cheryl Mead is volunteer manager for the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Arcadian Patrick Everett is a member of the Board of Directors.
California Philharmonic persists despite financial straits. It owes "quite a bit of money to quite a lot of people," including about $2,000 apiece to 60 musicians, but the orchestra has no plans to go out of business, said Music Director Victor Vener. See also Arcadia Weekly, p. 1 and 6, November 1, 2012.
City of Arcadia Concert and Movies. Concert in the Park at Arcadia City Hall featuers Upstream, a band playing reggae, Soca and other Caribbean music on August 4. Movie is "Luca." August 4 is the 119th birthday of Arcadia and National Night Out.
CalPhil opens Festival on the Green summer concert series on June 30 with a concert featuring singer Vanessa Carlton, the USC Trojan Marching Band, and pyrotechnics, at Santa Anita Park. See hard copy in VF "Santa Anita Park 2011-2020."