June 9, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Portland, Ore. … Free community parks events will once again herald the arrival of the Oregon Symphony’s new season as the Symphony takes up residence in Southeast Portland’s Harrison Park on Saturday, Aug. 26, and presents its traditional Waterfront Park concert on Thursday, Aug. 31, in Tom McCall Waterfront Park. The 2006 Oregon Symphony in the Neighborhood series is presented by the city of Portland through the Regional Arts and Culture Council (RACC) and the City of Portland Department of Parks and Recreation. Media support is provided by KINK fm102 and the Portland Tribune.
The Harrison Park event, organized with the help of the Montavilla Neighborhood Association and local arts and culture leaders, will include an afternoon festival beginning at 3 p.m. followed by a 7 p.m. Boston Pops style concert led by Symphony Resident Conductor Gregory Vajda. Local neighborhood leaders, community organizations and neighborhood arts groups will collaborate with the Symphony to present an afternoon of performances by local community groups, family arts activities, “instrument petting zoos,” and sharing of local social service resources. Booth space is available for neighborhood non-profits, children’s programs, arts organizations, and community development groups that serve the neighborhoods surrounding Harrison Park. Food will be available for purchase throughout the afternoon. Harrison Park was selected for the series by the Symphony due to its location in a city neighborhood targeted for economic and social revitalization.
“The Montavilla neighborhood is delighted the Oregon Symphony is bringing its music and resources to Harrison Park,” says Jennifer A. Tamayo, President of the Montavilla Neighborhood Association. “What better way to bring a community and Oregonians together but through the sounds of local musicians? This is what the spirit of community is all about.”
The performing artists and activities will reflect the diversity of the neighborhoods surrounding Harrison Park, located on the corner of Southeast 84th Avenue and Southeast Harrison Street. “I’m excited and thankful to see the Oregon Symphony perform at our very own Harrison Park,” says Alta Mae Gaylord, a longtime resident of Montavilla. “Montavilla will give them a great welcome.”
The Aug. 31 Waterfront Concert, long an annual summer tradition, will be conducted by Music Director Carlos Kalmar and will feature selections from the Symphony’s 2006-07 season, including excerpts from Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8, as well as music of Wagner, Mozart and Bernstein. Vajda will lead the orchestra in a medley of Beatles’ tunes including “All You Need is Love,” “Yesterday,” “Blackbird” and “Here Comes the Sun.” Kalmar and the Symphony will finish the evening with the annual performance of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” complete with fireworks and National Guard canons. Select members of the Portland Youth Philharmonic will join the Symphony for this special performance.
The Symphony’s Waterfront concert will be preceded at 5 p.m. by a performance by the Portland Youth Philharmonic, under the direction of Music Director Mei-Ann Chen. They will perform selections from their upcoming concert season.
The rain date for the Waterfront Park concert is Friday, Sept. 1.
Community groups interested in being part of the Aug. 26 afternoon festival at Harrison Park should contact Education and Community Engagement Coordinator Monica Hayes at 503-416-6312 or at mhayes@orsymphony.org.