News Release
August 17, 2010
Free California Symphony 9/11 pops concert salutes heroes, features guest vocalist Steve Tyrell
The ninth anniversary of 9/11 will find the California Symphony and musical director Barry Jekowski performing a salute to American heroes at this year's Target Pops on the Plaza concert in Todos Santos Plaza in downtown Concord beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The concert will be enhanced by a special guest appearance by Grammy-winning vocalist Steve Tyrell, widely credited with making classic pop standards popular again. The program includes two hours of family-friendly Broadway, film, classical and operatic favorites as well as patriotic standards and cartoon theme classics.
The symphony will perform the series of patriotic standards as a salute to local police, firefighters and military personnel who risk their own safety and sometimes give their lives to protect the public. A special commendation will be made to Betty Budde, 90, as Concord resident who served with the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) organization during World War II. The members of this pioneering organization of civilian female pilots were employed to fly military aircraft stateside, freeing male pilots to serve in combat. She and several of her co-pilots appeared on the cover of Life magazine in 1943. In March of this year, Budde and her sister WASPs were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
Vocalist Steve Tyrell, the voice behind the song "The Way You Look Tonight" from the film "Father of the Bride," also recorded songs for "Something's Gotta Give," starring Diane Keaton and Jack Nicholson, and "Did You Hear about the Morgans?," with Hugh Grant and Sarah Jessica Parker. He has appeared with the Boston Pops and the New York Pops and has performed on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" and "The Today Show."
Members of the Contra Costa County Horseman's Association (CCCHA) will serve as the color guard, presenting the colors on horseback. The association, which is housed in Concord's oldest historic building (founder Don Fernando Pacheco's adobe), is celebrating its 75th anniversary. It is said to be the grandfather association to many, if not all, of the horseman's associations in California. In recognition of the anniversary, CCCHA will be hosting a celebration event on Sept. 18.
The concert features ABC7 news anchor Dan Ashley as master of ceremonies and Target's mascot Bullseye. Sponsors include the City of Concord, Target, Chevron, Thomas J. Long Foundation, Contra Costa Times, Tesoro, Concord Disposal, Pacific Farmers Market, and Todos Santos Business Association.
Todos Santos Plaza is located in downtown Concord on Willow Pass Road between Mt. Diablo and Grant streets. Free parking is available in two municipal garages. The Grant Street Garage entrance is on Salvio Street between Grant and Colfax streets. The Todos Santos Parking Center entrance is on Salvio Street between Galindo and Mt. Diablo streets. Free senior and handicapped seating are also available. For more information, visit www.CaliforniaSymphony.org or call (925) 280-2490.