BSO presents Gala-ctic celebration of sci-fi in music and dress

Three opportunities are coming to see and hear the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra: matinee and evening performances of Space Jams, featuring Gustave Holst's "The Planets" at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater and a "Gala-ctic" costume party at the Dimension Mill.

The party, "Gala-ctic," is for mixing with fellow music fans, meeting orchestra members, exhibiting costumes (not required) and supporting Bloomington's community orchestra. Tickets are $35 and include sci-fi themed drinks, hors d’oeuvres and desserts.

The concerts — the evening one is more comprehensive — are for hearing Holst's recognizable and broadly enjoyed "The Planets: Suite for Large Orchestra," which is called The Planets, Op. 32. It's a suite with seven symphonic poems by the English composer. First played in 1920, “Mars” and “Jupiter” are the movements with which most people are familiar.

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Holst was intrigued by astrology, not astronomy, and composed with astrology's links to the planets in mind, not classical mythology's gods, according to Betsy Schwarm a music historian based in Colorado.

While on vacation in Spain, Holst learned a bit of astrology, becoming so fascinated that he predicted his friends' horoscopes for the rest of his life and called astrology his "pet vice."

Juilliard graduate and international bassoonist Catherine Marchese plays in several ensembles and has played with BSO for 22 years. She also is principal bassoon with the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra and Bloomington Chamber Orc. During summers, she teaches bassoon during a festival in Fresno, California.

"This is my third time playing Holst with the Bloomington Symphony. I love that Holst gives a personality to each planet and this is evident as you go through the work," Marchese said.

For the May 22 concerts, the bassoon section will definitely be wearing costumes, she said.

The longer evening performance also includes, in addition to Holst's The Planets, "Cycles" by local film composer Zachary Walter ("The Good Catholic," "Ms. White Light"). A joint project with local choir Voces Novae will offer stellar music such as Ērik Ešenvalds Stars and Lauren Bernofsky’s O Cosmos. This later show also has a sci-fi costume contest and space-themed visuals accompanying the music.

WHAT: Bloomington Symphony Orchestra presents Space Jams, featuring Gustav Holst's The Planets during two shows, plus, a costume party in-between.

WHEN: May 22 with performances at 3 and 7 p.m. Party from 4:30 to 6:30 pm.

WHERE: Concerts at Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. Party at the Dimension Mill, 642 N. Madison St.

TICKETS: For the concerts, $11-$22, 18 and younger are admitted free. https://bctboxoffice.org/event/space-jams/.

For the Gala-ctic party, $35. Go to bso@bloomingtonsymphony.com. Or mail a check to BSO Gala, 320 W. Eighth St., #100A, Bloomington, IN 47404. Or pay with cash, check or credit card at the door. Reserve by emailing gala@bloomingtonsymphony.com, or leaving a message at 812-331-2320.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Bloomington Symphony Orchestra celebrates 'The Planets' Gala-ctic way