2012 Redlands Bowl Summer Festival

Experience the Redlands Bowl Summer Festival, the oldest continuously running music festival in Southern California, and the United States, where no admission is charged.

World-class performing arts feature something to delight everyone, from: Symphony Concerts to Children’s Choirs to Blue Grass; Highland Pipe Bands to Military Bands to Big Bands; Ballets to Folk Dancing to River Dance; Soloists to Popular Musicals to Classical Operas; and Taiko too.

Serving the Inland Empire, the Redlands Bowl will win your heart with its family friendly setting, under the stars, in outdoor amphitheater seating or lawn seating, nestled in historic downtown Redlands.

Bring a picnic dinner and join friends on Tuesday and Friday evenings throughout the summer. No admission is ever charged!

All are welcome.

Concert Schedule

All concerts begin at 8:15 p.m.  On Tuesdays, the Community Sing starts at 7:15 p.m.

Fri., June 22          THE SAN BERNARDINO SYMPHONY: “America the Melodious,” conducted by Frank Paul Fetta. Pianist Yana Reznik performs Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” and vocalist Haqumai Sharpe sings Broadway and pop favorites. With music by Gershwin, Leroy Anderson, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and Ferde Grofe, this concert promises a banquet of musical treats with something for everyone.  Co-sponsored by Clara Mae Clem.

Sat., June 23           NAVY BAND SOUTHWEST. One of the U.S. Navy’s oldest and finest military bands takes command of the evening with a salute to some of America’s favorite music, from patriotic to pop. Under the direction of Lt. Diane E. Nichols, the band serves the military and civilian communities throughout the Southwestern United States and is a strong proponent of music education. Co-sponsored by Dick & Theresa Larsen.

Tues., June 26        WINNERS OF THE 61st ANNUAL YOUNG ARTISTS AUDITIONS. Chosen by rigorous competition, these gifted young musicians display their extraordinary talents in a superb recital performance. Pre-concert performance by the Youth Ensemble of Strings, directed by KarenThurman-Palmer. No Community Sing. Co-sponsored by the Associates of the Redlands Bowl.

 Fri., June 29            A TRIBUTE TO BENNY GOODMAN AND THE FEMALE VOCALISTS OF THE BIG  BAND ERA.  It’s the ladies’ night to shine! Joining the All-Star Big Band, singers Mary Lou Metzger, Cassie Miller, Polly Podewell, and the Lindy Sisters strut their stuff to feature the feminine side of swing era music. Romantic ballads, bouncy tunes, and luscious harmonies will get you in the mood to take a sentimental journey. Co-sponsored by Carol Baker, Baker’s Drive-Ins.

 Tues., July 3             Dark in observance of the national holiday.

Fri., July 6                 CALIFORNIA GUITAR TRIO. With tongue-in-cheek humor, this virtuoso guitar trio skips playfully from “The Good the Bad & the Ugly” to Bach’s “Toccata & Fugue,” and then bursts into 1960s California surf music. Where else can you hear Beethoven’s 9th and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” hand in hand at the same concert! A virtual whirlwind of instrumental styles and technical wizardry, guitar music has never sounded quite like this. Co-sponsored by The Kiwanis Clubs of Redlands.

Tues., July 10           THE FOUR PREPS. Original lead singer Bruce Belland, along with Bob Duncan, former singer with The Diamonds and The Crew Cuts, and fellow Crew Cuts Michael Redman & Skip Taylor, perform some of America’s favorite Pop hits from “the soundtrack of our lives.” Songs include their signature “Santa Catalina” and “Big Man,” as well as many others from the ‘50s era when harmony groups ruled the airwaves and had everyone singing along. Co-sponsored by Norma J. Nesbitt.

Fri., July 13                 CARPE DIEM STRING QUARTET. This boundary-breaking ensemble has earned widespread critical and audience acclaim for its innovative programming and electrifying performances. With a program that reflects its passions for Gypsy, tango, folk, pop, rock, and jazz-inspired music alongside the traditional string quartet repertoire, the four instrumentalists are committed to changing the concert experience of chamber music. Co-sponsored by La-Z-Boy West.

 Tues., July 17              GOLDEN BOUGH: “America Bound.” Set sail for the land of freedom and opportunity as this Celtic trio captures in song the experience of millions of Irish and Scottish immigrants who crossed the Atlantic in search of a better life in the New World. The journey is traced in rousing jigs and reels, haunting ballads, humorous songs, and melodies that became some of America’s best-loved folk music. Co-sponsored by Ken and Judith Stanford.

Fri. July 20                    REDLANDS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: “Glorious Classics,” conducted by Frank Paul Fetta. Coming to the Bowl from Baden-Baden, Germany, renowned pianist Frederick di Georgiou Conte di Messina performs Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3. Additional musical entrees include “Summer Night on the River” by Delius and Haydn’s Symphony No. 104. Co-sponsored by Glenn Vernet.

Tues. July 24                 Dress Rehearsal – “Oliver!” No Community Sing.

Thurs., Fri., Sat.           “OLIVER!” Based on the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens, this Tony award-winning musical tells the story of a poor orphan boy who suffers at the hands of uncaring people, but overcomes his adverse circumstances through the power of his great spirit. The musical play vividly brings to life the endearing story of the hungry boy who asked for “more, please” and the crafty Dickens characters who get the homeless boy into trouble on the streets. But all is not lost when the intended victim of a burglary discovers that Oliver is really the son of his long lost niece. Taken in by his new-found family, Oliver finally wins the ultimate triumph over misfortune. Paul Jacques, producer/director. Co-sponsored by The Physicians of Beaver Medical Group.     

Tues., July 31                TIZER.  Revered as one of the premier groups in the contemporary jazz genre today, Tizer is a high-energy group of all-star musicians playing all-original world-jazz-rock-fusion. A 2011 “Jazz Group of the Year” nominee, the group has toured extensively to high acclaim across the US and internationally. Ensemble leader Lao Tizer has been proclaimed a torchbearer for the new generation of contemporary jazz artists and is a “Best New Jazz Artist” nominee. Co-sponsored by Paul & Joann Barich.

Fri., Aug. 3                     THE GLORIES OF OPERA. The magnificent voices of virtuoso opera singers soar in a bravura performance of opera’s most beautiful solo and ensemble arias. From the comic to the tragic, from the lighthearted to the passionate, the songs capture the emotions of the human heart in a way that only the matchless eloquence of opera can do. Orchestra conducted by Frank Paul Fetta. Co-sponsored by Esri.

Tues. Aug. 7                  TLEN-HUICANI.  Along with their traditional costumes and instruments, a concert with Tlen-Huicani is like taking a tour of Mexico’s music, time and place. Meaning “the singers” in their indigenous Indian language of Nahuatl, the ensemble makes the beautiful “harpa jarocha,” or folk harp, the centerpiece of their music. Under the direction of Alberto de la Rosa, one of the most outstanding folk harpists in the world, the group is dedicated to preserving and promoting their musical heritage. Co-sponsored by the University of Redlands.

Fri., Aug. 10 & 11          STATE STREET BALLET OF SANTA BARBARA: “The Secret Garden.” Brilliantly portrayed in ballet form, the beloved children’s classic tells of two children who discover healing through the magic of a hidden garden. When young Mary Lennox loses her parents in a cholera epidemic, she is sent off to live at her uncle’s manor house in England. The unhappy girl seals herself off from the world until she discovers a neglected, locked garden. As she begins to care for the garden, she discovers its healing power and brings her ailing cousin into the garden. Ultimately, as they heal the garden, the garden heals them. Rodney Gustafson, Artistic Director. Co-sponsored by David & Robin Maupin of Maupin Financial Services to celebrate the children of Micah House.       

Tues., August 14           THE ARMORY BAND. Playing on instruments that are restorations and replicas from the Civil War era, the band performs as a tribute to all those musicians serving in, or for, both armies of this country during the Civil War. Their uniforms and other equipment complete the authentic impression of the era. Rich with sounds of instrument and voice, the band combines music and history to tell stories, many long forgotten, about the American Civil War. Co-sponsored by Subaru of San Bernardino.

 Fri., August 17              REDLANDS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: “The Grand Finale,” conducted by Frank Paul Fetta. Known for his passionate artistry, virtuoso Russian cellist Ruslan Biryukov performs Dvorak’s Cello Concerto. The final concert of the season also includes Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade.” Fireworks will accompany the orchestra finale. Co-sponsored by Streit & Peters, CPAs: David & Martha Streit and Chuck & Sara Peters.

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