SAVING A TRADTION: Philharmonic's Fourth of July concert moves to Springs Preserve - Neon

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Jul. 02, 2009
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

SAVING A TRADTION: Philharmonic's Fourth of July concert moves to Springs Preserve

By SONYA PADGETT
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

More info on fireworks and other 4th of July festivities

The Las Vegas Philharmonic will perform its annual Fourth of July concert without fireworks this year when it moves to the Springs Preserve. The performance will begin at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Conductor David Itkin says the cost of mounting a full-fledged Independence Day concert with fireworks at Hills Park forced the Las Vegas Philharmonic to consider other options.

For the first time in a decade, you won't see the rockets' red glare during the Las Vegas Philharmonic's Fourth of July concert.

Since 1998, thousands of locals have gone to Hills Park in Summerlin on Independence Day to stretch out on blankets, listen to the orchestra and watch a fireworks show. This year, the popular event has found a new home, but the fireworks have not.

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The Star-Spangled Spectacular will be at the outdoor amphitheater in the Springs Preserve, where the environment is too sensitive to allow bombs bursting in air. Dry grasses and sparks do not mix.

But, both Philharmonic and the Springs Preserve officials hope that the concert, backlit by a colored light show and the wonders of nature, will enthrall the audience, anyway.

Yes, it had become a tradition, says philharmonic conductor David Itkin, but "sometimes traditions morph."

The cost of mounting a production at the park was always high and in this year's economic climate, prohibitive, Itkin explains.

"It's very expensive to do a concert there, because you basically have to build a theater," Itkin says. The orchestra had planned to forgo a July 4 performance, until the Springs Preserve approached them with the opportunity to play in the 1,600-seat amphitheater.

"It seemed a shame to have that prominent and popular event go away for lack of a venue," says Springs Preserve spokesman J.C. Davis.

The stage had to be expanded a bit to accommodate a 60-piece orchestra. Otherwise, the space is perfect for an orchestral concert, Davis says.

The repertoire will include patriotic music supplemented by a good mix of Broadway, jazz and other favorites, Itkin says.

The Springs Cafe by Wolfgang Puck will remain open during the concert, and guests can listen to the music from the restaurant's balcony, Davis says. Those spaces will be first-come, first served.

Admission prices range from $17.50 for a grounds pass, which will mean standing outside of the amphitheater or finding a seat on a nearby bench, to $27.50 for a seat in the amphitheater. There is a waiting list for $82.50 VIP tickets that include seating, food and drink. Tickets are available at the Springs Preserve box office. Call 822-7705 for further details.

Guests won't be able to bring in outside food or drinks, lawn chairs or other kinds of seats.

Gates open at 6 p.m., with the concert starting at 8.

Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4564.

FIREWORKS SHOWS

If Fourth of July fireworks are a must for the holiday, check out these events:

Boulder City Damboree, Saturday: Festivities start at 7 a.m. with a Rotary pancake breakfast at Bicentennial Park, 1100 Colorado St. A parade marches through the city at 9 a.m. starting at Colorado Street and following Nevada Highway to Fifth Street and then to Broadbent Memorial Park at Avenue B and Fifth St. The party starts at 6 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, with the fireworks show at 9.

Cashman Field, today and Friday: Action will not be contained to the Las Vegas 51s and the Reno Aces. After the games (which begin at 7:05 p.m.), there will be a fireworks display at the ballpark at 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Admission is $14.

Downtown Las Vegas, Friday through Sunday: Fremont Street Experience will host the "American Pie Fourth of July" celebration featuring live music and a virtual fireworks show. Live music starts at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The virtual fireworks show on the canopy will be at 8:30, 9, 10 and 11 p.m. and midnight each day. For further details, visit vegasexperience.com.

Henderson Independence Day Celebration, Saturday: The family-oriented event will include fireworks and music from the Henderson Symphony Orchestra, along with other entertainment and activities. The fun, at the Henderson Events Plaza, 200 S. Water St., starts at 6 p.m. and runs through 9 p.m., when fireworks will be launched from the roof of City Hall. Admission is free; some activities may require a fee. For more information, call 267-2171.

Las Vegas Motor Speedway, today : The annual Night of Fire features racing and fireworks at the Bullring, 7000 Las Vegas Blvd. North. Gates open at 5 p.m. with fireworks planned for 9:30. General admission is $15; seniors, $12; and children, $5. For more information, visit LVMS.com.

M Resort, Saturday: The hotel at 12300 Las Vegas Blvd. South, will host the Freedom Fireworks Extravaganza and Old-Fashioned Food Fare with doors opening at 7 p.m. A fireworks show is scheduled for 9:15. Admission is free to the public.

Mandalay Bay Beach, Saturday: The hotel at 3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South plans a fireworks show at 9 p.m. followed by a concert by the Mystic Roots Band at 9:15 p.m. Admission is $20. For more information, call 632-7400.

Mesquite, Saturday: Sun City Mesquite will host a free Fourth of July celebration featuring entertainment, dancing, swimming, children's activities and more from 2:30 to 9:30 p.m. The city of Mesquite will present a fireworks show at the end of the festivities at about 9:30 p.m. For details, call (866) 339-9322.

North Las Vegas, today : The 10th annual Independence Day Jubilee featuring entertainment and a fireworks show will run from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at Seastrand Park, 6330 Camino Eldorado. Admission is free. For more information, call 633-2650.

Pahrump, Saturday: The Pahrump Nugget, 681 S. Highway 160, will host the Firecrackin' Fourth of July Spectacular starting with live entertainment at 3 p.m. and a free fireworks show at 9:15. For details, call (775)751-6500.

Primm, Saturday: Primm Valley Casino Resorts will launch a free fireworks show at 9:45 p.m. For more information, visit www.primmvalleyresorts.com or call (800) 386-7867.

Station Casinos plans to feature fireworks at 10 properties: Aliante Station, 7300 Aliante Parkway, North Las Vegas; Boulder Station, 4111 Boulder Highway; Fiesta Henderson, 777 W. Lake Mead Parkway, Henderson; Fiesta Rancho, 2400 N. Rancho Drive, North Las Vegas; Green Valley Ranch, 2300 Paseo Verde Parkway, Henderson; Palace Station, 2411 W. Sahara Ave.; Red Rock Resort, 11011 W. Charleston Blvd.; Santa Fe Station, 4949 N. Rancho Drive; Sunset Station, 1301 W. Sunset Road, Henderson; and Texas Station, 2101 Texas Star Lane, North Las Vegas. The fireworks will go off simultaneously at 9:30 p.m.

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Please enter your name Name: Please enter your email Email: Please enter a comment COMMENTS : (word count limit is 300) You have reached the maximum number of words allowed Current Word Count: Note: Comments made by reporters and editors of the Las Vegas Review-Journal are presented with a yellow background. JR wrote on July 02, 2009 08:59 PM: Seems reasonable to me. This place is supposed to pull it's own weight. On one hand we have people who think it all ought to be free, on the other hand, people who think the water district shouldn't subsidize it one dime. It ain't free to put this stuff together. The people who go need to pay for it. I won't be there, so I shouldn't. THE JOKER wrote on July 02, 2009 08:31 PM: AND HOW MUCH OF MY WATER BILL GOES FOR THIS CRAP? Zippy wrote on July 02, 2009 10:34 AM: Trisha you are a typical Democrat Tax the rich to pay for a money losing park then when they want you to pay to get into a special event you complain BooHoo won’t somebody think of the children, make the evil rich pay for it, raise their taxes so I can get more free stuff. Go back to SoCal and live on welfare IOU’s if you don’t like it J.C. Davis wrote on July 02, 2009 09:42 AM: Trisha - I'm sorry you think $17.50 entry (less for children 12 and under) is too expensive for a full philharmonic concert performance. The pricing for this event was set specifically to make this kind of performance affordable. Trisha wrote on July 02, 2009 08:21 AM: The "Springs" continues in snob tradition. 17.50 per family member. During a recession no less. You can go for free if you just tour the grounds. The crooks that run the place will request a $5 donation, dont give it too 'em. "Your water bill in action"