The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has been performing in and out of area parks for more than 60 years.
But in mid-June, the CSO will begin a new series of open-air concerts that will take the orchestra even deeper into the heart of Cincinnati’s neighborhoods. The Andrew J. Brady Neighborhood Concert Series is named for Andrew J. Brady, who directed a musical ensemble at Western Hills High School for more than 30 years.
It’s particularly fitting that the five-concert series is named after Brady, who led his own jazz band on hundreds of infamous performances in parks across the region.
John Morris Russell, who recently celebrated his 10th anniversary as director of the Cincinnati Pops, will lead four of the five concerts. Enrico Lopez-Yañez, Principal Pops Conductor of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, will conduct the fifth.
“With concerts like this, we help make orchestral music a part of people’s lives,” said Russell. “Some people will have heard us many times. But for others, this may be their first experience with us. Either way, we’re here to be the voice of the people. The music we play is music for everyone.”
The musicians’ performances are just part of a larger celebration that includes music labs, food trucks, arts and crafts exhibitions. Once details are finalized, a full listing of vendors and activities will be available on the CSO website at https://bit.ly/3lAE1zT.
Locations and guest artists are:
June 19, 7 p.m
- Maple Ridge Lodge, 3040 Westwood Northern Blvd., Westwood.
- John Morris Russell, conductor
- Guest Artists: Charles Morey (violin), Lauren Eylise (singer), John Lomax (special guest)
- Program: The June 16/Father’s Day program includes soul, spirituals, jazz, R&B and film music by John Williams.
June 26, 7 p.m
- Dunham Recreation Center Complex, 4356 Dunham Le., Price Hill
- Enrico Lopez-Yañez, conductor
- Guest Artists: Charles Morey (violin), Ciara Harper (singer)
- Program: A Latin American program featuring music from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Puerto Rico, as well as hits by the Isley Brothers and Aretha Franklin and film music by John Williams.
July 14, 6:30 p.m
- Corinthian Baptist Church, 1920 Tennessee Ave., Bond Hill
- John Morris Russell, conductor
- Guest Artists: Diane Monroe (violin), Kathy Wade (singer)
- Program: Works by Mary Lou Williams, Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn and Maurice Ravel.
July 16, 7 p.m
- Laurel Park, 500 Ezzard Charles Dr, West End
- John Morris Russell, conductor
- Program: Charles Morey (violin), Ciara Harper, Tia Toles-Seay and Noël Walton (singer), dancers from Q-KIDZ Dance Studio.
- Program: Selections from Duke Ellington, James Brown, the Isley Brothers and a tribute to boxing icon “Cincinnati Cobra” Ezzard Charles.
Aug 6, 7 p.m
- Owl’s Nest Park, 1984 Madison Rd., Evanston.
- John Morris Russell, conductor
- Guest Artists: Charlies Morey (violin), Victoria Ellington, Ciara Harper, Tia Toles-Seay, Noël Walton (singer).
- Program: A tribute to King Records, featuring music by James Brown, Bill Doggett, Hank Ballard and a selection from Cincinnati Opera’s “Fierce” by composer William Menefield and librettist Sheila Williams.
Even MORE outdoor shows
As we plan our summer arts programs, it’s important to include the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.
After struggling with many cancellations over the past two summers, CincyShakes is back with an aggressive 39-performance touring schedule that stretches from Portsmouth and Springfield to Richmond, Indiana. And of course they will be performing at many, many local parks, starting July 15th at Eden Park and ending September 2nd at Colerain Park Amphitheater. Be sure to check the schedule regularly as more are likely to be added.
Unlike previous tours where the company has performed various shows in its repertoire, this summer will focus on a single production of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”. The production will be directed by Crystian Wiltshire, Associate Artistic Director and frequent actor for the company.
The tour schedule is available online at https://cincyshakes.com/event/park/.
News from the OTR Museum
Slowly we are seeing progress on the Over-the-Rhine Museum’s grand plans for its home at 3rd W. McMicken St. The museum itself is not yet open. But as work inside the building progresses, the museum is launching tours and sponsoring a variety of events that tell stories about the neighborhood that has been the first port of call for so many people arriving in Cincinnati.
Last week, the project received a major financial and emotional boost when the National Endowment for the Humanities awarded the museum a $75,000 historic site planning grant. It was just one of four sites that received the grant, which was designed to support the museum’s interpretive planning process.
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