Concert-goers to gather beneath stars

Symphony Orchestra Augusta Maestro Shizuo "Z" Kuwahara will conduct his first Pops! Under the Stars concert Saturday in Evans.

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"He's planned a great program," said the symphony's executive director, Sandra Self. "It's terrific. It's going to be a lot of fun."

The sixth annual event is free and will start with a performance by Eryn Eubanks and the Family Fold at 6:30 p.m. The symphony concert will start at 7:30 p.m.

The two-hour concert, emceed by WJBF news anchor Brad Means, will feature pieces from popular movies including E.T. , Jaws , Spiderman and Mission Impossible , in addition to an armed forces salute recognizing each military branch. The event ends with a performance of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture and John Philip Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever.

"How often do you get to go to an outdoor concert for the Symphony Orchestra Augusta?" Self asked. "It's a pretty exciting thing to see 80 musicians on stage and to hear them play."

The concert will be held at the University Health Care System's Evans campus at 447 North Belair Road. Parking is free on the campus. Golf cars, provided by Club Car, will transport people to and from the stage.

This year, the symphony is launching a mobile-giving campaign to raise money for the organization. Guests can contribute $10 to the Symphony Orchestra Association via text message during the concert.

Concert-goers are encouraged to bring their own blankets and chairs. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

"Some people, it's amazing," Self said. "They come out in the early day and set up and then put all their things out. Then they leave and come back later."

Last year, more than 3,000 people were in attendance, she said.

If bad weather occurs Saturday, the concert will move to West Acres Baptist Church, 555 Gibbs Road, Evans.

For information, call (706) 826-4705 or visit www.soaugusta.org.