GR Symphony to Offer the Music of John Williams, Jan. 28-30

From “Star Wars” to “E.T.” and all musical galaxies in between, the heart-captivating music of legendary composer John Williams will come to life in DeVos Performance Hall when the Grand Rapids Symphony presents “A Salute to John Williams” Friday, Jan. 28, through Sunday, Jan. 30.

Guest Conductor Michael Krajewski will lead the Grand Rapids Symphony on a magical musical odyssey that will explore the melodic world of Williams. A composer of Olympic proportions, Williams has penned some of the most groundbreaking, recognizable and endearing film scores in the history of motion pictures during a career that has spanned six decades. These concerts are part of the Fox Motors Pops Series.

“Williams’ first major success – the theme to ‘Star Wars’ – transformed the landscape of the film music industry and instantly became an icon of American culture,” Krajewski said. “Now, 30 years and 38 films later, his melodies are as legendary and recognizable as the films themselves.

“The audiences will no doubt take great delight in hearing the blockbuster movie music of the Grammy Award-winning Williams performed live by the Grammy-nominated Grand Rapids Symphony.”

Program selections will include “Olympic Fanfare and Theme,” which was written specifically for the opening of the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, as well as music from “The Cowboys,” “Jaws,” “E.T.: The Extraterrestrial,” “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” “Schindler’s List,” “Superman,” “Jurassic Park,” and a 30-minute set from “Star Wars.”

Costumed Star Wars characters from the Great Lakes Garrison 501st Legion will add to the performance on stage. Darth Vader, storm troopers, Indiana Jones and characters from Williams’ films will be in attendance.

Additionally, a photo booth with a green screen depicting scenes from various movies will be in the lobby. Costumed characters will be available to take pictures with audience members.
The winner of five Academy Awards, four Golden Globe Awards and 21 Grammy Awards, Williams has also received 45 Academy Award nominations, making him – along with composer Alfred Newman – the second most-nominated person after Walt Disney.

Tickets for “A Salute to John Williams” start at $18 and are available by calling Ticketmaster at 800/982-2787, online at http://www.grsymphony.org/ or in person at Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets may also be purchased at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices or in person at the Symphony office or two hours prior to the performance at DeVos Performance Hall.

Don't Miss Out! Next Week!

Don't miss the 5th Annual Camper, Travel and RV Show!

Go Affordably, Go RVing! This show is all about the best family vacation of your life. Whether just a weekend or a long getaway, RVing is the way to go. West Michigan RV dealers will pack DeVos Place with motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheels, and folding camping trailers. RV accessories, campgrounds, vacation destinations,and fun feature displays will round out the exhibition creating the largest and most exciting RV & Travel Show in the state! To view this year's commercial, click here.

Show hours:

Friday, January 14: 12noon - 9:30pm

Saturday, January 15: 10am - 9pm

Sunday, January 16: 11am - 6pm

Pricing:
Adults $8
Children (6-14) $3

5 and Under Free

Rotary Club of GR To Host "Rat Pack" New Year's Eve Benefit Gala

What happens in DeVos Performance Hall, stays in DeVos Performance Hall.

At least that’s what the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids anticipates with its Dec. 31 Vegas-inspired fundraising event, “A Rat Pack New Year’s Eve.” Sponsored in part by Meijer and Citadel Broadcasting, the annual New Year’s Eve Benefit Gala will feature a special concert by the Grand Rapids Symphony in conjunction with a themed cocktail hour and gourmet dinner.

Cocktails and swing music will kick off the evening at 5:30 p.m. in the Monroe Ballroom with a Charity Mixer and dinner provided by the 1913 Grill. Starting at 7:30 p.m. the Rat Pack is back, accompanied by the sizzling stylings of the Grand Rapids Symphony under the direction of John Varineau in DeVos Performance Hall. Guests will seriously dig on this extravaganza starring Stephen Bogardus as “Frank,” James Clow as “Dean” and Alonzo Saunders as “Sammy,” each appearing direct from Broadway, in a special concert called “A Rat Pack New Year’s Eve.”

Proceeds from this event benefit two longstanding Rotary programs: STRIVE, a mentorship program for at-risk high school seniors, and Indian Trails Camp, a summer camp for disabled individuals of all ages. The gala has raised over $260,000 every year for the past ten years. This year, Rotary is extending the festivities to benefit underserved seniors from Clark Retirement Community and at-risk youth from St. Johns Home. For every donation of $25 or more, Rotary will send one senior or youth to “A Rat Pack New Year’s Eve” symphony concert. Those interested in sponsoring a concertgoer can email Coleen Downey at coleen@grrotary.org.

Dinner tickets are priced at $50 per person and concert tickets range from $18 to $90 per person. Tickets for both portions of the event can be purchased online at www.grsymphony.org. For more information, visit www.grrotary.org or call (616) 459-5640

Come see the amazing dancers of Riverdance!

An innovative and exciting blend of dance, music and song, RIVERDANCE draws on Irish traditions and the combined talents of the performers propel Irish dancing and music to the present day capturing the imagination of audiences across all ages and cultures. This extraordinarily unique show features an international company all performing to the magic of Bill Whelan’s music.

James Taylor Announces Tour Dates; Coming To DeVos Performance Hall

Starting February 26, 2011, James Taylor will be kicking off a series of unforgettable and intimate shows across America with special guest Ben Taylor. Ten days later, Taylor & Band perform on the DeVos Performance Hall stage in Grand Rapids on March 8th at 7:30PM.

Joining Taylor for the first time ever will be special guest, singer/songwriter, Ben Taylor. Taylor is going back on the road to embark on a whole other kind of adventure. This is your chance to see James Taylor in an intimate theater setting with very special guest, his son Ben Taylor!

Tickets are $45, $75 and $99.50. Tickets go on sale Friday, December 10 at 10AM and can be purchased at the DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena box offices, by calling Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000 or order online at ticketmaster.com. Tickets are also available at Ticketmaster outlets, including D&W Stores and select Family Fare locations.

Over the course of his long career, James Taylor has earned 40 gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards and five Grammy Awards for a catalog running from 1970's Sweet Baby James to his Grammy Award-winning efforts Hourglass (1997) and October Road (2002). Taylor's first Greatest Hits album earned him the RIAA's elite Diamond Award, given for sales in excess of 10 million units in the United States. As a recording and touring artist, James set a precedent for solo singer/songwriters and blazed a path to which countless numbers of earnest young musicians have since aspired. His warm baritone is among the most recognized voices in popular music and his guitar playing has established its own standard.

James Taylor is one of the few artists to ever have a US Billboard Top 10 album in each of the last five decades from 1970’s “Sweet Baby James” to 2010’s “Carole King/James Taylor: Live at the Troubadour.” Taylor’s musical contributions have earned him a place at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as a place on Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of “The Immortals: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.”

Church Girl: The Musical Coming in February!

Urban theatre enthusiasts around Grand Rapids are all abuzz about the highly anticipated arrival of Church Girl. This provocative yet profound musical stage play, based on actual true stories and testimonies, was written and produced by Angela Barrow-Dunlap and directed by Reuben Yabuku.

Church Girl tells the story of Emily Franklin, the seemingly wholesome daughter of a prominent pastor, who is seduced by the charms of a worldly life. Emily is hiding a very shocking secret and like all things evil, it is festering. Emily has been working diligently to cover up the dark choices she has made, but when her secret is exposed, events take a dramatic turn and skeletons coming crashing out of her closet. Everyone wants to know what could push a quintessential church girl to turn her back on everything she has been taught.

Church Girl infuses the magic of phenomenal music, a cast of colorful characters, and amazing dance performances to take audiences on an unforgettable ride through the pains and pleasures of tasting the "forbidden fruit" to the ultimate height of redemption.

Church Girl: The Musical will be at DeVos Performance Hall on February 14th, 2011 at 7:30pm.

Tickets on sale now at Ticketmaster(http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/08004563E7D9414B?artistid=1473175&majorcatid=10002&minorcatid=207) or the box office!

Need a gift idea for family and friends?

Take a look at Joe Bonamassa. He will be performing, one night only, at DeVos Performance Hall on March 21st, 2011 at 8pm.

This is a performance from the Crossroads Guitar Festival at Toyota Park near Chicago June 26, 2010.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hda3tws3Wy8&feature=related