For Immediate Release
Media Contact: John Cain
Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
707.800.7513
Series will feature the “Peanuts” music of Vince Guaraldi, a holiday tribute to John Denver, disco-era hits of the Bee Gees, and the Maestro’s selection from his favorite Broadway musicals for the final concert
Santa Rosa, Calif. March 28, 2022 – Luther Burbank Center for the Arts (LBC) and the Santa Rosa Symphony announced the lineup for the 2022–23 Symphony Pops series, which also represents the final season for Michael Berkowitz’s as Symphony Pops Principal Conductor. The concert series will be presented in the Ruth Finley Person Theater at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts.
“We anticipate this season with inspiration, gratitude, and nostalgia, as each concert presents us with an unforgettable gift from Maestro Berkowitz’s 15 years as Symphony Pops Principal Conductor,” said Alan Silow, President and CEO of the Santa Rosa Symphony. “He has presided over some of the most dynamic entertainment experiences for orchestra novices and aficionados alike, helping make the Santa Rosa Symphony’s partnership with Luther Burbank Center for the Arts a vital element to the Sonoma County arts and culture scene.”
Now in its 17th year, the Sunday afternoon concert series introduces audiences to the great depth and range of sounds of the Santa Rosa Symphony and acclaimed soloists, through the music of legendary icons, famous scores from the big and small screen, and Broadway musicals.
The series kicks-off with Playing for Peanuts: The Music of Vince Guaraldi, featuring David Benoit on October 9. It rings in the holiday season on December 11 with A John Denver Rocky Mountain Christmas, with special new arrangements for some of his beloved songs. On February 5, 2023, the Symphony Pops will present “Stayin’ Alive” – The Bee Gees Tribute, capturing the close harmonies of brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice. The season comes to a jubilant close on April 23, 2023, with My Kind of Broadway, Maestro Berkowitz’s selection of some of his favorite Broadway hits, and his appearance on drums in “Mambo” from West Side Story.
Prior to each performance, LBC will host a discussion with Mr. Berkowitz, who will provide insight into the afternoon’s program and share personal anecdotes and memories from his storied career.
Season ticket packages, which include all four concerts and pre-concert talks, will go on sale June 10. Prices remain unchanged, ranging from $111 to $272. Single tickets also remain unchanged – from $37 to $90 – and will go on sale in August. Tickets and information are available online at lutherburbankcenter.org, by phone at 707-546-3600, or at the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts Box Office, 50 Mark West Springs Road in Santa Rosa.
About the Santa Rosa Symphony
The Santa Rosa Symphony is the third-oldest professional orchestra in California, and the largest regional symphony north of Los Angeles. It inspires and engages the residents of our region with the finest musical performances and educational programs while maintaining its core values of organizational strength, innovative programming, fiscal responsibility, comprehensive music education and community service to more than 100,000 people annually. Michael Berkowitz has been SRS principal Pops Conductor since 2005 and Francesco Lecce-Chong, the Symphony’s fifth music director in its 94 years, who began his tenure in 2018
About Luther Burbank Center for the Arts
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts is home to world-class performances, nationally recognized education programs, contemporary visual art, and many popular events. The Arts Center is located in the heart of the Sonoma wine country and ranked among California’s top performing arts presenters. Together with its resident companies, the Center presents more than 230 performances in music, dance, theater, renowned speakers, and comedy; provides education programs serving more than 50,000 children and adults; and hosts more than 1,000 community events a year. Owned and operated by the Luther Burbank Memorial Foundation, the Center relies on charitable community donations to achieve its mission – to enrich, educate, and entertain.
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Playing for Peanuts – The Music of Vince Guaraldi featuring David Benoit
Sunday, October 9, 2022 at 3 p.m.
Launching Michael Berkowitz’s final season of the Santa Rosa Symphony Pops, Playing for Peanuts: The Music of Vince Guaraldi represents the world premiere of new orchestrations of Guaraldi’s genius. Inspired by local legend Charles M. Schulz and his quirky Peanuts characters, Guaraldi composed the music for Peanuts TV specials. GRAMMY®-nominated pianist David Benoit, who also composed music for the popular animated shows for more than 10 years, will perform enduring favorites, including “Linus and Lucy,” “Christmas Time Is Here,” “You’re in Love Charlie Brown,” “Great Pumpkin Waltz,” “The Red Baron March,” “Cast Your Fate to The Wind.”
A John Denver Rocky Mountain Christmas
Sunday, December 11, 20229 at 3 pm
Little can conjure the awe of winter and the spirit of the season better than the warm hearth of John Denver’s music. Selected to sing as the voice of John Denver in the CBS television movie Take Me Home, the John Denver Story, singer Jim Curry dedicated himself to continuing Denver’s legacy of songs and his message of love and caring for the planet. Most notable is his collaboration with Lee Holdridge in rebuilding and preserving Denver’s original symphony arrangements.
“Stayin’ Alive” – The Bee Gees Tribute
Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 3 pm
“Stayin’ Alive – The Bee Gees Tribute takes the audience back in time to platform heels, polyester bell bottoms, and the thrilling sense of seeing the Bee Gees live in concert. Capturing the close harmonies of brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice, “Stayin’ Alive” includes songs such as, “To Love Somebody,” “Massachusetts,” “Jive Talking,” “More Than A Woman,” “Nite Fever,” “You Should Be Dancing,” and “Stayin’ Alive.”
My Kind of Broadway
Sunday, April 23, 2023
Two world class singers, Laura Dickinson and David Burnham, perform some of the Maestro’s favorite Broadway numbers as he leads the Symphony Pops for the last time. Grammy® winner Dickinson will showcase her powerhouse vocals with pieces such as “Big Spender,” from Sweet Charity, “Maybe This Time” and “Cabaret” from Cabaret, and “People” and “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” from Funny Girl. Broadway performer David Burnham, last seen in the mega-hit musical, Wicked, will perform, among others, “Music of The Night” from Phantom of The Opera, “Bring Him Home” from Les Misérables, and “I Have Dreamed” from The King and I.
New Year’s Day – January 1
Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Third Monday in January
President’s Day – Third Monday in February
Memorial Day – Last Monday in May
Juneteenth – June 19
Independence Day – July 4
Labor Day – First Monday in September
Thanksgiving Day – Fourth Thursday of November
Christmas Day – December 25
