Free Concerts In Parks Will Draw Thousands To Annapolis, Pasadena

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD - Grab your blankets and lawn chairs because an orchestra is performing two free outdoor concerts this weekend.

The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra is ready to perform at its annual Pops in the Park concerts, which are open to the public.

The orchestra will perform Saturday at 11 a.m. at Downs Park in Pasadena and Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. A rain date at Quiet Waters Park is set for Monday at 5:30 p.m.

The Downs Park concert will be at the pavilion on the park's waterfront. Downs Park entrance will only be free for those arriving after 10 a.m. The Quiet Waters performance will be on the stage in the southeast corner of the park.

More than 3,000 people attend annually.

The shows will feature uplifting and danceable pop tunes, patriotic songs, movie and Broadway music and fun for all ages.

The performances will kick off the 19th season for Annapolis Symphony Artistic Director and Conductor José-Luis Novo. He loves the picnicking families and dancing children at Pops in the Park.

"The Pops in the Park concert is the Annapolis Symphony’s best chance to connect with our community at large," Novo said in a press release. "It is a family-friendly event (pets included) and a truly unique chance for us to showcase the Symphony to a larger and more diverse audience than usual. This concert is often the first time some folks in the community will meet the orchestra. Past concerts have resulted in love at first sight!"

Netanel Draiblate is the concertmaster of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and the founder of the Annapolis Symphony Academy, which will open for the Quiet Waters show at 5:15 p.m. Drailblate is the only known orchestra concertmaster to also be a working commercial airline pilot. 

"Pops in the Park is one of the ASO’s longest-standing traditions," Drailblate said in the release. "We love the large enthusiastic crowds, open space, food trucks, picnic blankets, kids dancing in front of the stage, pets, and everything this amazing event brings to our community year in and year out. No one can forget the amazing music selections by Maestro Novo and the fantastic performances by the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. Let’s celebrate the last weekend of summer together in the park!"

Snacks are encouraged. There will also be food trucks. Alcohol is prohibited.

Pops in the Park receives special support from the Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks.

Major symphony funding comes from Elizabeth Richebourg Rea, the Maryland State Arts Council, Arts Council of Anne Arundel County, Friends of the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and individual donors. 

More information on Pops in the Park is posted here.

Residents can also follow the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Vimeo and LinkedIn.

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