By 1808Delaware
A summer evening in Delaware will move from Broadway to Bruno Mars, from John Williams to Michael Jackson, and eventually all the way to Journey when the Central Ohio Symphony takes the stage at Boardman Arts Park on Saturday, August 8.
Symphony Pops @ Whimsy will bring the orchestra to the park’s new Whimsy Venue for a free outdoor concert built around American music and popular culture. The program is also part of the Symphony’s celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday, with organizers describing the evening as a look at American musical innovation.
A Program Designed For Familiar Favorites
Under Music Director Jaime Morales-Matos, the Symphony will reach well beyond the traditional concert hall repertoire. The evening begins with John Williams’ “Liberty Fanfare,” followed by selections from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. The program also includes “Broadway Tonight,” a big band salute, music from Wicked and West Side Story, and a tribute to the film music of John Williams.
Then come some particularly recognizable names — the kind you would immediately recognize if you enjoy current music. Orchestral arrangements will showcase the music of Bruno Mars and Michael Jackson before the program turns to “Journey’s Greatest Hits,” bringing the sound of one of America’s best-known rock bands to the Whimsy stage.
The mix fits the Symphony’s broader approach to its pops concerts, which regularly combine orchestral music with movie scores, popular bands, holiday music and other familiar genres in a more casual setting.
More Than A Concert
The evening is designed to begin well before the first note from the orchestra.
Doors open at 5:00 PM, followed by a comedy pre-show at 5:30 PM. The Central Ohio Symphony takes the stage at 6:30 PM, with the overall event scheduled from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. General lawn admission is free. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets, although outside food and beverages will not be permitted. The park is asking visitors to RSVP to help organizers plan for attendance. Boardman Arts Park has told prospective vendors that it expects approximately 1,000 people for the event.
Dinner can become part of the evening as well, and scheduled food vendors include The Real Deal Grill, Hot Leggs, The Backstretch, Holy BBQ, Charm Thai on Wheels, Cheesecake Perfection and the Delaware Evening Kiwanis, with offerings ranging from burgers and barbecue to Thai food, pizza and desserts. Beer, wine, seltzer, soda and lemonade will be available from the Whimsy Lounge Bar.
A New Stage For Delaware
Whimsy Venue represents a major expansion of Boardman Arts Park, the 2.2-acre community arts space at 154 W. William St. in downtown Delaware. Its centerpiece is a large performance stage designed by artist Tony Ball of Tork Collaborative Arts, with colorful steel and iridescent resin incorporated into the canopy. The stage was conceived to accommodate everything from large bands and symphonies to dance, theater, comedy and film screenings.
The larger Whimsy vision also includes the planned Kaleidoscope Glass House, with performance and gathering spaces, dressing areas, a caterer’s kitchen, bar and serving area, and indoor and outdoor seating. Boardman Arts Park has been raising $2.652 million toward the full project, including $1 million awarded through the state.
Saturday’s concert therefore offers more than another stop on the Symphony calendar. It places one of Delaware’s established cultural institutions on a stage created specifically to broaden the kinds of performances that can happen in the heart of the city. Later in August, Arena Fair Theatre will bring Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors to the Whimsy Stage, another indication of the venue’s intended range.
