The Durham Bulls have announced the Boston Pops, under the direction of Keith Lockhart and with special guest Kenny Loggins, will begin their summer Hollywood Hits Tour at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park on Tuesday, August 16, 2011, at 7:30pm. Tickets go on sale online on Monday, February 28th at 10am and at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park Box Office on Friday, March 4th at 9:00am.
“We are anticipating an amazing night with the most famous orchestra in the country along with an iconic pop star playing under the stars at the DBAP,” Durham Bulls General Manager Mike Birling said.
This is the Boston Pops first-ever Minor League Ballparks tour, visiting 10 cities stretching from Birmingham, Alabama, to Buffalo, New York, August 16-30. The tour program features music inspired by three of this country’s favorite pastimes–baseball, movies, and rock ‘n’ roll.
The common thread throughout the program, entitled the Hollywood Hits Tour, will be legendary film music themes, featuring music from one of the most memorable baseball films of our time, The Natural, a tribute to renowned film composer John Williams, and Kenny Loggins singing “Footloose”, from the ever-popular film of the same name.
“I can’t think of a better marriage between the worlds of music and sports than that between America’s Orchestra and America’s favorite pastime,” said Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart. “With the legendary Kenny Loggins joining us for this 10-city tour of some of America’s finest minor league stadiums, these concerts of great music from the worlds of baseball, movies, and rock ‘n’ roll are sure to bring audiences a once-in-a-lifetime experience that creates cherished memories and brings a wonderful new dimension to a summer at their favorite ball park.”
“I’m extremely excited and proud to be performing with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops for their first-ever tour of minor league baseball stadiums,” said Kenny Loggins. “It is a true pleasure to work with such a prestigious and talented orchestra, and it’s an absolute honor to perform for the wonderful people of these great American towns and cities we will be visiting.”
A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Genesis Home. Genesis Home works to end homelessness for families with children by providing housing and supportive services to foster independence. Located in Downtown Durham, Genesis Home was established in 1989 and since that time, over 375 families have successfully graduated from their program and transitioned into permanent housing.”
Program Highlights…
The Boston Pops Hollywood Hits Tour opens with the orchestra’s popular arrangement of “The Star Spangled Banner,” followed by several fan-favorite musical selections inspired by the world of baseball, including John Philip Sousa’s rousing “National Game” March, “Casey at the Bat,” with actor Jeremiah Kissel narrating, “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” and musical highlights from the classic baseball movie, The Natural.
Keith Lockhart will bring the first portion of the program to a close with “A Cinematic Sing-Along,” inviting the audience to join the orchestra by singing such Hollywood hits as “Moon River,” “The Way We Were,” “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” and “Over the Rainbow.”
When Keith Lockhart and the orchestra return to the stage they will present a tribute to film score composer and Boston Pops Laureate Conductor John Williams, with performance of music from his most famous scores including Star Wars, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones, and E.T.
Recording artist Kenny Loggins brings the program to a close, joining Keith Lockhart and the orchestra for several of his greatest hits including “I’m Alright,” from Caddyshack, and “Footloose,” made famous as the theme song from the movie of the same name.
Thanks to DBBC’s Matt DeMargel for this capcom story.
