First Large-Scale Public Performance of the OC Summer!
Live music returns to Orange County, and Pacific Symphony is thrilled to kick off the festivities! The July 4th Spectacular begins the summer at FivePoint Amphitheatre in Irvine. Featuring the music of Elton John, this is Pacific Symphony’s first time performing at Orange County’s newest outdoor venue and it promises to be a historic event.
Next up, the orchestra returns to Pacific Amphitheatre at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. You won’t want to miss the West Coast premiere of “Toy Story” in Concert—Live with Orchestra (Aug. 21). Considered by many to be one of the best animated films ever made, “Toy Story” received three Academy Award nominations, including one for “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman.
PACIFIC SYMPHONY KICKS OFF SUMMERFEST ’21
WITH A ROLLICKING FOURTH OF JULY AT FIVEPOINT AMPHITHEATRE
And finally, no summer would be complete without the traditional Tchaikovsky Spectacular (Sept. 11), complete with cannons and fireworks! Critically acclaimed pianist and the International Tchaikovsky Competition Silver Medalist George Li also joins Pacific Symphony to perform Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini.”
Tickets for SummerFest ‘21 are on sale now! Subscriptions for the three-concert series range from $63-$150. Single tickets sales begin Friday, May 28, starting at just $25. All concerts take place at 8 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Pacific Symphony Patron Services at (714) 755-5799, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The season sponsors include PBS SoCal, K-Earth 101, KPCC 89.3 FM and Classical KUSC 91.5. Avenue of the Arts Hotel in Costa Mesa is the official hotel of Pacific Symphony. The July 4th Spectacular is generously supported by Live Nation.
COVID-19 safety protocols continue to evolve at a rapid pace and audience safety is our priority. In partnership with Live Nation and the OC Fair & Event teams, we will be using current CDC recommendations as well as Cultural Celebrations guidelines from the State of California to create our reopening policies and procedures. For the most up-to-date safety information, please go to PacificSymphony.org/Safety.
SUMMERFEST ’21 SERIES
Programs, artists and dates subject to change.
JULY 4th SPECTACULAR: THE MUSIC OF ELTON JOHN
Sunday • July 4, 2021 • 8 p.m.
Fivepoint Amphitheatre | Irvine
Richard Kaufman conductor
Starring Craig A. Meyer
Featuring the Rocket Band
“Your Song.” “Rocket Man.” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” The hit singles of mega pop star Elton John are endless. Starring Craig A. Meyer as “Almost Elton John,” this spectacular musical journey celebrates the decades of chart-topping hits of Sir Elton John. Plus enjoy patriotic favorites, our traditional salute to the U.S. armed forces and a brilliant fireworks finale!
TOY STORY IN CONCERT
West Coast Premiere • Live-to-Film Event
Saturday • Aug. 21, 2021 • 8 p.m.
Pacific Amphitheatre | OC Fair & Event Center
Sarah Hicks, conductor
Two rival toys – a lanky, likable cowboy named Woody and Buzz Lightyear, the fearless space ranger – vie for a place in the heart of their owner, Andy. The toys plot against each other, but when they’re separated from their human, they find a way to work together as friends to be reunited with Andy again. Considered by many to be one of the best animated films ever made, “Toy Story” received three Academy Award nominations, including one for “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman. PRESENTATION LICENSED BY DISNEY CONCERTS. © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TCHAIKOVSKY SPECTACULAR
Saturday • Sept. 11, 2021 • 8 p.m.
Pacific Amphitheatre | OC Fair & Event Center
Carl St.Clair, conductor
George Li, piano
No SummerFest is complete without Pacific Symphony performing Tchaikovsky’s thrilling “1812” Overture, complete with live cannons and brilliant fireworks. Critically acclaimed pianist and the International Tchaikovsky Competition Silver Medalist George Li also joins Pacific Symphony to perform Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini.”
Pacific Symphony, led by Music Director Carl St.Clair since 1990, has been the resident orchestra of Orange County’s Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall for over a decade. Founded in 1978, the Symphony is the largest orchestra formed in the U.S. in the last 50 years and is not only a fixture of musical life in Southern California, but also is recognized as an outstanding ensemble making strides on both the national and international scenes.
Pacific Symphony made its debut at Carnegie Hall in 2018, where it was invited to perform as part of a yearlong celebration of composer Philip Glass’s 80th birthday. The Symphony made its first-ever tour to China the same year, with performances in five cities, including Shanghai and Beijing. In Orange County, the orchestra presents more than 100 concerts and events each year and a rich array of education and community engagement programs, reaching more than 300,000 residents of all ages. The Symphony has been recognized with multiple ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming and included among the country’s five most innovative orchestras by the League of American Orchestras. The Symphony’s education and community engagement activities have also been recognized by the League, as well as the National Endowment for the Arts.
About FivePoint Amphitheatre
Located at 14800 Chinon, Irvine, CA 92618
Opened in 2018 at the Irvine Great Park, FivePoint Amphitheatre is Orange County’s newest venue for concerts under the stars! The venue boasts state-of-the art sound equipment and dining options fit for foodies.
About The Pacific Amphitheatre
Located at 100 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
The Symphony’s summer home since 2018, Pacific Amphitheatre will feature the U.S premiere of “Toy Story in Concert” and our traditional Tchaikovsky Spectacular finale. Pack along a picnic to go along with your favorite bottle of wine and enjoy free parking!
Located at 100 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
