From Top Clockwise: Maestro Victor Vener, Cedric Berry, Cyrus "Glitch" Spencer and Mary Bridget Davies.
Maestro Victor Vener and his California Philharmonic are kicking off the world-class orchestra’s milestone 20th Anniversary Season with a spectacular Christmas concert featuring classics, holiday favorites and more on December 12, 2015, at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium located at 300 East Green Street, beginning at 7:30pm.
A holiday concert sure to delight people of all ages, Sleigh Ride! features Christmas classics including highlights from The Nutcracker, Hänsel & Gretel and The Messiah, holiday songs from Home Alone, seasonal favorites, beloved Christmas carols and more.
“Music lovers throughout the Southland have eagerly waited for California Philharmonic to add more concerts throughout the year. We thought what better way to kick off our 20th Anniversary Season than with a holiday extravaganza at yet another one of Southern California’s cultural landmarks, the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, a concert hall known for its beautiful architecture, sumptuous decor and superb acoustics,” said Maestro Vener. “We look forward to sharing this special Christmas experience with our longtime fans, and new ones, as we put on the show of the season complete with phenomenal special guests, world-recognized musicians, the Cal Phil Chorale and more!”
Among the remarkable special guests is Tony Award®-nominated singer Mary Bridget Davies who is joining California Philharmonic following her sold-out performances of A Night with Janis Joplin at the Pasadena Playhouse. Known throughout the Southland for her captivating performances, Ms. Davies is often heralded by the media including Entertainment Weekly which raved about her “phenomenal voice” and the Los Angeles Times which declared her performance “a triumph for all concerned.”
Back by popular demand, and adding to the magic of Sleigh Ride!, is California Philharmonic fan favorite, bass-baritone Cedric Berry. Hailed for his memory-making performances, Cal Phil concert-goers will remember Mr. Berry from concerts past where he delighted audiences with music from Porgy and Bess, Showboat, Copland’s Old American Songs and more. A Resident Artist with Los Angeles Opera, Mr. Berry continues to dazzle the world with his powerful voice.
Also on tap for this one-of-a-kind holiday concert are some of the mesmerizing dancers and choreographers from the nine time Emmy Award winning hit television show So You Think You Can Dance including Season 9 runner-up Cyrus “Glitch” Spencer, all of whom are appearing in association with Lythgoe Family Productions. Since wowing people on the show, Cryus has been performing all across the country, shooting commercials and starring in feature films including the most recent installment of the smash hit Step Up franchise, Step Up: All In’
“We are thrilled with the programming and special guests participating in Cal Phil’s special holiday concert at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. This unique concert experience also allows the audience a rare opportunity to experience live professional orchestral performances enhanced even further by amazing dancers from the show that People Magazine calls ‘hope, expressed in movement,’” said Brandon Dobbins, Executive Director of California Philharmonic. “Sleigh Ride marks the first concert following the recent announcement of the organization’s new Board of Directors and reflects our commitment to bringing the highest quality of live symphonic music to the largest number of people possible in fun, entertaining and unique ways.”
The Pasadena Civic Auditorium has come to be known as “Music’s Gold Standard,” a title borne out by the wide range of Broadway musicals, ballet companies, orchestras and celebrity speakers as well as the Prime Time Emmy Awards, and the People’s Choice Awards to which it has played host. What’s more, it’s the jewel in Old Pasadena’s crown: a location convenient to freeways, light rail, fine dining, world-class museums, great shopping and more.
Each summer, Cal Phil performs its acclaimed concerts at two of Los Angeles County’s best music venues. Saturday nights see the orchestra concertizing under the stars on a beautiful grass meadow in the infield of historic Santa Anita Race Track. After its evenings outdoors, the orchestra moves inside Walt Disney Concert Hall, one of the world’s finest music spaces–and a landmark destination–for popular Sunday afternoon matinée performances.
The California Philharmonic is supported by the California Philharmonia Society, a non-profit community benefit organization whose main emphasis at this time is to support the California Philharmonic.
Tickets start at $20.00 and can be purchased at www.calphil.com or by calling (626) 304-0333.
For further information or to schedule a time to speak with Maestro Victor Vener or any of the special guests, please contact Lauren Lewis at (818) 970-0052 or [email protected].
