Labor Day Weekend in the Tri-state offers more than simply a send-off to summer.
So many activities are just beginning — school, football, symphony and theater seasons, National Bourbon Heritage Month. It is really a start of a new year in many respects.
Hence, the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra has moved a January New Year’s tradition in Vienna — A Strauss Fest Concert — outdoors to Devou Park to kick- off our new year (of sorts) on September 3rd.
It will be the last KSO summer concert of the season at Devou Park.
Bringing the entire Strauss clan (Johann Sr, Jr, Eduard and Joseph) to Covington for an evening at the bandshell requires the orchestra to breakout the champagne, the blank guns, a musical saw, a Tom and Jerry cartoon, a kids chorus, a wonderful soprano and opportunities for audience participation.
The Strauss family in Vienna began with Johann I, a self-taught musician who wrote over 250 waltzes, galops, polkas and was the city’s society band leader. He encouraged his son Johann II to follow a different career path, but junior’s years as a bank clerk were few as he played violin, composed and led bands that eventually competed with his father’s. Strauss Jr. went on to write more than 500 compositions and was dubbed the “Waltz King” His brothers Eduard and Josef followed in the business composing and even leading the orchestra when Jr. fell ill and wished to focus on composing. Johann Strauss II did make a U.S. appearance in 1872 at the Boston Festival where he was the lead conductor of a group of 1000 musicians.
Appearing on the KSO evening’s program are soprano, Sarah Viola singing “Fruhlingsstimme” (Voices of Spring) and the “Laughing Song” from (Die Fledermaus). KSO cellist, Katrina Aguiar trades in her cello for a saw on Lehar’s “Vilja.” And the Northern Kentucky Children’s Ensemble, which first made its debut singing the “Tritsch Tratsch Polka” during the KSO’s very first season, will reprise its performance (Both groups will be celebrating their 25th Anniversary seasons this Fall).
Picnics are welcome, and Buona Vita Pizzeria food truck will be on hand serving meatball sliders and more.
Guests can also phone-in catered orders and pick them up in the park (menu on-line kyso.org/buona-vita- in-Devou).
Join Music Director James Cassidy for the finale of the Symphony’s 22nd Summer in Devou Park, Saturday, September 3 at 7:30 p.m.
The TANK Shuttle from Covington Catholic to the band shell runs from 6 -7:30 p.m (returning after the concert) for $1 each way. Bring blankets or lawn chairs. Free admission and parking, Donations suggested.
For more information, visit the KSO at www.kyso.org or call (859) 431-6216.