It'll be ladies' night at the opening evening of Concerts in the Garden 2019, as the favorite summer series kicks off, for the first time, with a show called "Women Rock." The night devoted to great female rockers leads off a month of concerts that mixes musical tributes with lighter classical fare, symphonic sparklers, and Star Wars-spectacular lasers.
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra announced the 29th annual Concerts In The Garden Summer Music Festival on March 8. The series offers 17 outdoor concerts at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, June 7-July 7.
On the bill are musical tributes to Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, ABBA, Elvis, and Queen — but missing this year is the popular "Music of the Eagles," which fans have flocked to in years past. Grammy winning country group Asleep at the Wheel is the only big-name act to headline a show this year.
Two concerts will showcase music from blockbuster movies: "The Music of Harry Potter and More" and a favorite of kids, the high-tech "Star Wars & Beyond: A Sci-Fi Laser Light Spectacular."
Classical music fans will get their nights out with "Mozart in the Garden: A Little Night Music" and "1812 Overture and Symphonic Sparklers." The garden goes patriotic for a 4th of July tradition, "Old-Fashioned Family Fireworks Picnic," performed for two nights.
The full Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra will play on 15 of the 17 concerts, and each will end with fireworks. Of special note: This year will mark FWSO music director Miguel Harth-Bedoya's last appearance at the summer concert series, as he will leave the orchestra at the end of next season.
Here's a closer look at the Concerts in the Garden lineup:
Friday, June 7: Women Rock
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Bob Bernhardt, conductor
Shayna Steele, Cassidy Catanzaro, and Katrina Rose, vocalists
The show honors some of the most powerful female singers and songwriters of all time like Tina Turner, Carol King, Pat Benetar, and more. Enjoy hit songs like “I Feel The Earth Move,” “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “Freeway of Love,” “Proud Mary,” “Piece Of My Heart,” “Hit Me With Your Best Shot,” “I Love Rock n’ Roll,” “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman,” and more.
Saturday, June 8: The Music of Harry Potter and More
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Bob Berhnhardt, conductor
Grab a wand and escape with music from all eight of the Harry Potter films. “Ah, music, a magic beyond all we do here.” – Albus Dumbledore
Sunday, June 9: Mozart in the Garden: A Little Night Music
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Bob Bernhardt, conductor
Jennifer Corning Lucio, oboe
Sit back, relax, sip some wine, and enjoy light classical favorites by Mozart and more. Experience Eine kleine Nachtmusik, the “Jupiter” Symphony, and The Marriage of Figaro under the Texas summer sky. Plus, FWSO Principal Oboist Jennifer Corning Lucio will shine in Mozart’s Oboe Concerto.
Friday, June 14: The Music of U2
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Martin Herman, conductor
Tony Vincent, vocalist
Vocalist Tony Vincent and a full rock band lead the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra through an evening celebrating U2′s greatest hits in a whole new way. The show is back for the first time since 2015.
Saturday, June 15: The Music of Led Zeppelin
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Martin Herman, conductor
Randy Jackson, vocalist
Experience a brilliant combination of passion and power when the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra pays tribute once again to tLed Zeppelin. With full orchestra, full rock band, and screaming vocals by Randy Jackson of Zebra, the audience will rock the night away to hits like “Stairway to Heaven,” “Black Dog,” “All of My Love,” and more.
Sunday, June 16: 1812 Overture and Symphonic Sparklers
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Germán Gutiérrez, conductor
Michael Shih, violin
The annual evening of symphonic masterpieces includes Tchaikovsky’s popular 1812 Overture set to a stunning fireworks display.
Friday, June 21: Asleep at the Wheel
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Michael Krajewski, conductor
The 10-Time Grammy award-winning country music group Asleep at the Wheel returns to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden for another appearance in the series. The “Kings of Texas Swing” will be backed once again by your Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.
Saturday, June 22: Classical Mystery Tour
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Michael Krajewski, conductor
The Beatles’ timeless classics get paired with beautiful orchestration by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Enjoy favorite hits by the Fab Four, including “Yesterday,” “Hey Jude,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “All You Need is Love,” and much more.
Sunday, June 23: A Tribute to Elvis with Kraig Parker*
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Kraig Parker and his Royal Tribute Band pay homage to Elvis Presley. Parker has toured with Presley’s original vocal groups The Jordanaires, The Stamps Quartet, and The Sweet Inspirations, and critics have called this show “as close as it gets” to the real thing. *The orchestra will not perform on this concert
Friday, June 28: The Music of Pink Floyd
Brent Havens, conductor
Randy Jackson, vocalist
With psychedelic tunes and philosophical lyrics, Pink Floyd exploded onto the scene in the late ‘60s and became one of the most successful bands in the history of popular music. The FWSO and a full rock band bring back some of the band’s classics from iconic albums like Dark Side of the Moon, The Wall, Animals, and more.
Saturday, June 29: The Music of Queen
Brent Havens, conductor
Brody Dolyniuk, vocalist
Experience favorite hits by the classic rock band including “I Want It All,” “You’re My Best Friend,” “We are the Champions,” and the chart-topping “Bohemian Rhapsody” in the beautiful setting of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.
Sunday, June 30: ABBAcadabra*
The music of ABBA is returning to the Garden with timeless favorites like “Super Trooper,” “Dancing Queen,” and “S.O.S.” ABBACADABRA performs the ultimate ABBA tribute. *The orchestra will not perform on this concert
Wednesday-Thursday, July 3-4: Old-Fashioned Family Fireworks Picnic
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor
Corrie Donovan, soprano
The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra honors Independence Day with a brilliant display of musical patriotism. Pack a picnic, bring the whole family, and join the annual all-American July 4th celebration.
Friday-Sunday, July 5-7: Star Wars & Beyond: A Sci-Fi Laser Light Spectacular
Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
Miguel Harth-Bedoya, conductor
The summer music festival will close with three performances of Star Wars & Beyond: A Sci-Fi Laser Light Spectacular led by Miguel Harth-Bedoya in his final CITG appearances. On the first half, behold favorite melodies from the realm of Sci-Fi films and television. Then after the sun sets, fire up your light saber for some out-of-this-world music from the Star Wars franchise, enhanced by a stunning laser light show.
Passes and tickets
New this year are festival passes, which allow patrons to attend multiple performances at a discount. A full festival pass, which includes all 14 programs, or a mini-pass, which includes the patron’s selection of five programs, are offered. Passes offer a savings of up to 15 percent on concert tickets as well as other benefits, FWSO says.
Regular concert prices range from $25 for adult lawn tickets to $37-$67 for table seats. Children ages 10 and younger are admitted free on the lawn, and half-price in a select table section. Festival passes go on sale to FWSO subscribers and donors on March 18 and to the general public beginning April 1. Individual concert tickets will be available to FWSO subscribers and donors on March 18 and to the general public on April 8. Purchase tickets online at www.fwsymphony.org or by calling the FWSO ticket office at 817-655-6000.
Favorite Elvis tribute artist Kraig Parker takes the stage June 23.
