McClellan Summer Concert Series
Set to Strike a Chord

By Alex Scarborough-Anderson
Star Staff Writer
05-20-2008

Reprinted here in its entirety.

Music at McClellan is gearing up for its four-week concert series, The Longleaf Series, this Saturday at Longleaf Park.

The Alabama Symphony Orchestra will kick off the opening weekend, performing "Stars and Stripes Pops" Saturday in a patriotic concert celebrating soldiers at home and away.

Pete Conroy, Music at McClellan co-chairman, said he is excited about the summer lineup of concerts coming to former Fort McClellan.

"We've been doing the concert for five years now and put on 17 shows," Conroy said. "We've worked out all the kinks and become a well-oiled machine that gives the audience a great time and a fun environment."

The series will continue the following Saturday with "Harry Potter and Friends," featuring music from the Harry Potter movies.

The Swedish cover band Waterloo, including several former members of ABBA, will perform with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra June 7. The two will team up to perform songs from the album, ABBA: The Hits, such as "Mama Mia," "Dancing Queen" and "Knowing Me, Knowing You."

The Symphony is familiar with teaming up with popular rock bands, performing with Three Dog Night at McClellan in 2004.

The Longleaf Series will close out June 14 as the Alabama Symphony Orchestra plays symphonic classics while Civil War reenactors perform.

Bands, jugglers and mimes from the Community Actors Studio Theatre also are scheduled to perform during the four-week concert series.

Coolers and picnic dinners are welcome on the grounds. Vendors will be on hand selling food and soda, while Anniston Water Works will sell bottled water.

Picnic grounds open at 6 p.m. The concert begins at 8 p.m.

"Picnicking and the community party beforehand is as good as the concert itself," Conroy said, emphasizing that many concert-goers bring comfortable chairs and blankets to the park.

The 19th Hole at Cane Creek Golf Course will be open for sit-down or takeout dinner.

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Music at McClellan tickets

Where to buy

• Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce
• Golden Springs Pharmacy
• Jacksonville State University's Theron Montgomery Building Bookstore
• McClellan Joint Powers Authority headquarters
• Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts in Gadsden
• McClellan Box Office

Cost

• Adults at the gate — $25
• Ages 4 to 12 — $5
• Under 4 — No charge
• Advance purchase — $20
• Anytime tickets (Four tickets to any concert) — $60

(Anytime tickets can only be purchased before 10 p.m. Friday. Tickets will be available only at the McClellan Box Office the day of the concert. For more information, call 310-0852 or visit www.musicatmcclellan.org.

See story at The Anniston Star's website: www.annistonstar.com .

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