LAKEPORT – The wonderful world of contemporary popular music will take place on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10, when the Lake County Symphony presents "Another Op'nin',Another Show" – a tribute to the late Cole Porter and others.
The concert is sponsored by Clear Lake Performing Arts and will start at 3 p.m. at the Marge Alakszay Center at Clear Lake High School in Lakeport.
Symphony director John Parkinson has put together a program consisting of music bound to please Moms of all ages, including such titles in the Cole Porter Salute as "In the Still of the Night," "Anything Goes" and "Night and Day." But Porter is only one of a group of inspired composers and musicians the Symphony is saluting on Mothers Day. Others include Duke Ellington, George and Ira Gershwin and some of the best of Louis Armstrong.
Ellington's music is represented by such numbers as "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)", "Sophisticated Lady", "Caravan" and "It Don't Mean a Thing (If it ain't Got That Swing)."
A medley called "George Gershwin in Concert" includes "I Got Rhythm," "Someone to Watch Over Me,' "S'wonderful" and "Rhapsody in Blue." Others by Gershwin are "A Foggy Day" (In London Town) and "Embraceable You" featuring a beautiful Flugelhorn solo by long-time symphony member, Gary Miller. Gershwin’s brother, Ira, wrote the lyrics for most of the tunes.
Other enduring favorites are "Deep Purple", "April in Paris", and "Georgia". Blues man Louis Armstrong is featured in a medley entitled "Satchmo" that includes a number of his most-loved vocal numbers including "What a Wonderful World, " When The Saints Go Marching In," "St. Louis Blues" and "Hello, Dolly."
Vocalist Paula Samonte will be featured with the orchestra, singing more popular jazz arrangements by conductor, John Parkinson. "Don't Get Around Much Anymore", "I’ll Take Romance", and "I’ve Got the World on a String."
The annual Mother's Day classic has become a tradition for many Lake County families with attendance at the concert being a special – and inexpensive – way to pay tribute to Mom on her special day. Tickets at the door are $20 for general admission and $15 for members of Clear Lake Performing Arts. Young people under age 18 are admitted free. For further information contact 279-0877.
