By Loretta McClellan, Santa Cruz Symphony Marketing & Communications Director
Cowabunga! It’s time for the Santa Cruz Symphony’s annual Pops Concert, “Surfing with the Symphony,” on Saturday, June 4 at 8 p.m. at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium. Special guests are musical icon, Papa Doo Run Run and Chris Thompson producer and director of the surfing documentary, “Out of the Blue,” about the history of surfing in Santa Cruz.
Surfing Connection
History abounds in Santa Cruz, most notably the history of Surfing. Dedicated as a World Surfing Reserve in 2012, the legendary shores have witnessed mavericks young and old as they catch the “perfect wave” since Hawaiian Royalty brought with them the tradition over 130 years ago.
During the Summer of 1885, three young Hawaiian princes rode the waves at the mouth of the San Lorenzo River on redwood planks they ordered cut in the shape of olo surfboards by the local timber mill,” notes the monument erected at the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, located in the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse at Lighthouse Point on West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, California. Inside the museum is an homage to Hawaiian origins and the greats of surfing.
Street Party
Join in the pre-concert fun at our Street Party in front of the Civic starting at 6 p.m. with Kuzanga Marimba Band and surf-themed auction items including: two custom surfboards from local shapers, Michel Juno and Nick Palandrani; dinner for eight with Maestro Daniel Stewart at Hula’s Island Grill; a one-week stay at a Maui Condo; wetsuits from O’Neill Surf Shop and Rip Curl; and a combo pack—surfing lessons with Bud Freitas, owner of Surf School Santa Cruz, plus gift certificates for two large pizzas at Pizza My Heart.
Check out the surfboards being auctioned and meet local surfers. You can bring your picnic basket or purchase food and drinks at the party. Wear your best Aloha Wear or Surf Chic to be entered to win two free tickets to a Season 2016-17 concert!
Concert Program
The Santa Cruz Symphony, under the baton of Maestro Daniel Stewart, will perform Badelt’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Black Pearl, Mendelssohn’s The Hebrides (Fingal’s Cave) and Smetana’s The Moldau.
Two of the orchestral pieces will feature films accompanying the music of Visual History of Surfing in Santa Cruz, and Extreme Surfing with Local Legends, created by Chris Thompson exclusively for this event.
Thompson is the producer and director of the surfing documentary, “Out of the Blue,” about the history of surfing in Santa Cruz.
The Santa Cruz Symphony’s 2015 Baton Winner, Aaron Schwartz, will conduct Sousa’s Stars and Stripes. Following intermission, local favorite Papa Doo Run Run and the Santa Cruz Symphony will perform hit songs of the Beach Boys.
Live Auction
We will have a live auction event during the concert to help raise funds for our Music Education Programs. Auction items include: the opportunity to conduct the Symphony at next year’s Pops Concert (June 3); two custom surfboards by local shapers Michel Juno and Nick Palandrani; one week in a Maui condo (travel not included); dinner for eight at Hula’s Bar and Grill with the Maestro; a youth wetsuit from Rip Curl; and combo pack―surfing lessons with Bud Frietas, owner of SC Surf School plus gift certificates for two large pizzas at Pizza My Heart.
Music Education
The Benefit Pops Concert and Auction supports the Santa Cruz Symphony Music Education Program, including Classroom Visits, Youth Concerts, and Classical Music in the Classrooms, which serve over 7500 students throughout Santa Cruz County. For more information, view the Santa Cruz Symphony Music Education Video on YouTube (https://youtu.be/HRkmRF_q0n4), or visit SantaCruzSymphony.org.
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Tickets: “Surfing with the Symphony” tickets are $27 to $72 and are available at SantaCruzTickets.com or SantaCruzSymphony.org.
Visit SantaCruzSymphony.org for more information.