Don McClean Debuts Aug. 3 & 4 at Symphony on the Prairie

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

40 Years of American Pie: An Evening with Don McLean

August 3 & 4

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra welcomes iconic and award-winning singer/songwriter Don McLean in his debut with the ISO at Marsh Symphony on the Prairie Friday and Saturday, Aug. 3 and 4, at 8 p.m. at the Conner Prairie Amphitheater. The concerts, titled 40 Years of American Pie: An Evening with Don McLean, will feature many of McLean’s beloved songs and hits such as “American Pie,” “Crying,” “And I Love You So,” “Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)” and “Castles in the Air.”
“American Pie” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2003, and McLean was inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in 2004.

40 Years of American Pie: An Evening with Don McLean also features Tony Migliore (Music Director, Conductor, Piano), David Smith (Electric Bass), Carl Vipperman (Electric Guitar) and Jerry Kroon (Drums).

Tickets: Adult: $22/$27; Children: $11/$13. Available at: Marsh, MainStreet or O’Malia’s supermarkets, Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office, (317) 639-4300, IndianapolisSymphony.org. 

Premium Parking passes may be purchased for $20 each exclusively through the Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office. All other Conner Prairie parking is free-of-charge and there are many volunteers available to assist patrons in carrying their belongings from their vehicles to their seats.

Guests may bring their own food, beverages (including alcohol), blankets, and lawn chairs or reserve a table for up to 10 people just feet from the stage for $59 (plus the ticket price).

Stay up-to-date on weather and traffic conditions by tuning in to WIBC (93.1 FM), the official radio station of Marsh Symphony on the Prairie. Patrons can sign up for the ISO’s Symphony weather text message service by texting WEATHER [date of performance] (e.g. WEATHER AUGUST 3) to 24025. This service will be available for every performance and will be updated by the ISO as conditions change.

Due to road construction on the northeast side of the Indianapolis metropolitan area, the ISO and Conner Prairie encourage patrons to “Know Before You Go.” WIBC-FM will offer the latest traffic updates for patrons en route.

Website: Don McLean
Website: For directions, tickets, and shows, visit IndianapolisSymphony.org
Image: ISO

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated fine-living columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Read her newest column, Infused, at FoodandDrinkDigital.com and GottaGo.us. Catch her as Indy’s Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC. Gotta Go is published on Gottago.us, BroadwayWorld.com, in M and Retired Living magazines and several newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter. Follow her on Twitter @GottaGo, LinkedIn and Facebook.

ISO: 2011-12 Season Opening Event with Krzysztof Urbanski

Maestro Krzysztof Urbanski has fun with Pops conductor Jack Everly

Maestro Krzysztof Urbanski officially opened the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's 2011-12 season, Sept. 18, with style, humor and champagne. The black-tie affair was injected with the sense of joviality and camaraderie that will be known throughout the symphonic world as the signature of the Era of Urbanski. The entire evening followed suit with practical jokes, laughter and favorite classical and pops selections.

Jack Everly, principal pops conductor, joined in on the good-natured shenanigans, as did Garrick Ohlsson, pianist, and popular ensemble in-residence, Time for Three.
Covering Tchaikovsky, Berlin, Bernstein and Chopin; Urbanski, Everly, Ohlsson, and Time for Three brought the audience to its feet in thunderous applause.
  

The reception, held in front of Hilbert Circle Theatre, Indianapolis, brought out ISO patrons in their finest attire prior to the raised baton. Included at the annual affair were music, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres provided by local restaurants, such as Shula's, Fogo de Chao and The Oceannaire.

Bottom Line: If you have avoided attending ISO concerts because you thought it stuffy, old-fashioned and boring -- Fear no more. The ISO is now entrenched in "The Era of Urbanski" proving the symphony is downright enjoyable. In fact, the party has just begun.

Tickets, schedule and information: IndianapolisSymphony.org.
Photos: T Wengers
Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, performing arts and restaurant critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, and follow her on Twitter @GottaGO and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

ISO: Krzysztof Urbanski Debuts as Music Director-Designate

Making his debut appearance since accepting his position as Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's Music Director Designate, Krzysztof Urbanski, wowed the audience Friday, May 20. Walking to the podium, Urbanski, immediately shared his passion for music and his own personal style leaving the audience impressed.

Sharing the stage with 28-year-old Urbanski was International Violin Competition of Indianapolis' gold medalist Barnabas Kelemen who performed Sibelius' Violin Concerto. Kelemen received two standing ovations and left the audience wanting more.

Bottom Line: Urbanski, receiving a hearty, welcoming ovation, made sure that Indianapolis is aware there's a new sheriff in town with a feisty, playful nature and plans on leaving no one unfazed by his energy.
Urbanski will head the Lilly Classical Series in the downtown Hilbert Theatre, located on the Circle. For a full schedule of ISO, visit IndianapolisSymphony.org.

Photo by Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra

Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer, music, restaurant and performing arts critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC, on aroundindy.com, and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook. Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, New Palestine Reporter, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.

ISO: Liza Minnelli

Some people go through life, much as they come into it...quietly, without fanfare; leaving the same way. Others burst into the world with an inner pizzazz and inability to keep their excitement and zest for life inside. Liza Minnelli is a glamorous ball of energy willing to share her love of life, her flaws and God-given talent with everyone...anyone who wants to join her party, they only have to show up because all are welcome.

Being born into the Hollywood royalty family of Emmy, Tony, Grammy and Academy Jr. award-winning Judy Garland and Oscar-winning film director Vincenti Minnelli (Gigi), Liza (still with the sassy Z) developed a list of her own awards, including being one of the few people to achieve Grammy, Tony, Emmy and Oscar awards.

My first experience with Ms. Minnelli was as Sally Bowles in Cabaret...good place to start. As a fan of her mother, the appreciation and anticipation of her talent spilled over from my infatuation with Ms. Garland. She did not then, nor has she ever disappointed me. I admired her for trying all genres, including her under-appreciated work with the Pet Shop Boys. Seeing her perform at the Hilbert Circle Theatre with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, January 22, was a memorable moment for me.

Crossing genders, generations and lifestyles, loving them all and receiving their adoration in return...being able to bring together an eclectic group of people who normally would have little in common, but who, for one evening, would stand and cheer a common love, well, ladies and gents, that is a true superstar.

Minnelli zipped onto stage and gave every ounce of her energy for a topnotch show bringing the crowd to its feet four separate times. The show could have been called, The Best of..." with the song list including Confessions, Liza with a Z, I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye and I Must Have That Man, among others. She also pulled from her latest CD, Confessions, with Heart of Mine, Confession and He is a Tramp. The vivacious lady was delightful in every sense of the word, making it a successful evening for the packed house.

Another sign of a true star is one who realizes they are no longer young and able to perform the exact same way as in their youth and adjusts to continue providing a quality performance. Whether singing a duet with her pianist, Billy Stritch, or bringing out her signature songs, Cabaret and New York, New York, the pint-sized stick of glitzy dynamite proves that the show must go on, even after knee surgery.

Showing her flaws during a couple of unreached vocals, and requesting a second chance for her 'dahlings' gave the audience one more reason to fall in love with the divalicious performer all over again. Her vulnerability, emphasized by her tiny frame, created a balance somehow with her bigger-than-life stage presence and powerful vocals.

Bottom Line: Sharing her talent and herself without holding back, Liza Minnelli proves she's a sassy, brassy dame and a classy lady indeed.

Photo Credit: Submitted Photo

IndianapolisSymphony.org
Confessions
officiallizaminnelli.com/
Elizabeth J. Musgrave is a syndicated columnist, travel writer and theater critic. Catch her as Indy’s Arts & Entertainment Adviser on 93 WIBC and follow her on Twitter @ejmusgrave1 and Facebook.
Gotta Go is published in the following newspapers: South Sider Voice, Indiana Weekender, West Side Community News, New Palestine Reporter, West Indianapolis Community News, Pendleton Times Reporter and Fortville-McCordsville Reporter.