Summer: Your move.
There is literally something for everyone under the sun at the just-announced Summer Pops 2015 concert series. From television, movies and comic books to classical music, Broadway musicals and country, rock and pop, fans of, well -- everything -- have something to look forward to during the annual 10-week extravaganza.
Kicking off right before Fourth of July weekend and running through Labor Day weekend (June 27-Sept. 6), the 2015 Summer Pops lineup at Embarcadero Marina Park South picks up right where 2014’s left off.
With perhaps a nod to a younger generation, the concert series offers more than ever: Dancin’ shoes will be out in full force when the swing revival band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy stops in on July 17-18, indie pop/rock aficionados can enjoy singer/songwriter Ben Folds on July 30, and country music fans get a two-night stand by LeAnn Rimes on Aug. 21-22. As we had hoped, legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach returns for this year’s series on Aug. 16.
The 2015 series also boasts tributes to some other music legends including the Beach Boys on June 27, Frank Sinatra on Aug. 14-15 and Journey on Aug. 27. Broadway’s Rodgers & Hammerstein get the San Diego Symphony (which is a SoundDiego sponsor) treatment with selections performed from "South Pacific," "The King and I," "Oklahoma," and "The Sound of Music" on Aug. 7-8, while "Seinfeld" alum and Tony Award-winning actor Jason Alexander brings songs from the theater to the stage on Aug. 23. Say it with us: "Serenity now!"
During this year’s Comic-Con, Summer Pops draws superheroes and supervillains alike to the Embarcadero for screenings of "Pokemon: Symphonic Evolutions" (July 9) and "Star Trek: Into Darkness" (July 11), and film buffs get to sit back and watch "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest" and some of their favorite scenes from "Star Wars," "James Bond" and "Psycho" -- all soundtracked by the full symphony! Clearly, the Force is strong with them.
Last year, artists including Ozomatli, Vanessa Williams and Boz Scaggs peppered a schedule stacked with tributes to Elvis, Ray Charles and Johnny Cash while the symphony tackled soundtracks to various films, including 2009’s "Star Trek," Disney’s "Fantasia" and songs from the films of Tim Burton. But as great as that series was, the symphony has outdone itself this year.
Subscription tickets are on sale now, with prices ranging from the Bravo/Encore Series (five concerts) at $85-$385, to the Ultimate Series (10 concerts) tickets at $160-$750. Single tickets go on sale on April 13. With so much going on, be sure to check out the symphony’s official website for all of the scheduled concerts and full details.
