Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra launching new series of outdoor concerts

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has performed in area parks on and off for more than 60 years.

But in mid-June, the CSO is launching a new series of outdoor concerts, taking the orchestra even deeper into the heart of Cincinnati neighborhoods. The Andrew J. Brady Neighborhood Concert Series is named for Andrew J. Brady, who led a music ensemble for more than 30 years at Western Hills High School.

There’s something especially fitting about naming the five-concert series after Brady, who led his own jazz band in hundreds of famously popular park appearances throughout the region.

John Morris Russell, who recently celebrated his 10th anniversary as leader of the Cincinnati Pops, will lead four of the five concerts. Enrico Lopez-Yañez, principal Pops Conductor of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, will lead the fifth.

“With concerts like these, we help to make orchestral music a part of people’s lives,” said Russell. “Some people will have heard us many times before. But for others, this may be their first experience with us. Either way, we are there to be the voice of the people. The music we play is music for everyone.”

The musicians’ performances are just one part of broader celebrations that will include music labs, food trucks, arts and crafts exhibits. As details are finalized, a full list of vendors and activities will be available at the CSO’s website, https://bit.ly/3lAE1zT.

Locations and guest artists are:

June 19, 7 p.m.

• Maple Ridge Lodge, 3040 Westwood Northern Blvd., Westwood.

• John Morris Russell, conductor

• Guest artists: Charles Morey (violin), Lauren Eylise (vocalist), John Lomax (special guest)

• Program: Juneteenth/Father’s Day programming includes soul, spirituals, jazz, R&B and John Williams movie music.

June 26, 7 p.m.

• Dunham Recreation Center Complex, 4356 Dunham Le., Price Hill

• Enrico Lopez-Yañez, conductor

• Guest artists: Charles Morey (violin), Ciara Harper (vocalist)

• Program: A Latin-infused program with music from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, as well as Isley Brothers and Aretha Franklin hits and John Williams movie music.

July 14, 6:30 p.m.

• Corinthian Baptist Church, 1920 Tennessee Ave., Bond Hill

• John Morris Russell, conductor

• Guest artists: Diane Monroe (violin), Kathy Wade (vocalist)

• Program: Works by Mary Lou Williams, Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn and Maurice Ravel.

July 16, 7 p.m.

• Laurel Park, 500 Ezzard Charles Dr., West End

• John Morris Russell, conductor

• Program: Charles Morey (violin), Ciara Harper, Tia Toles-Seay and Noël Walton (vocalists), dancers from Q-KIDZ Dance Studio.

• Program: Selections by Duke Ellington, James Brown, the Isley Brothers and a tribute to “Cincinnati Cobra” boxing icon Ezzard Charles.

August 6, 7 p.m.

• Owl’s Nest Park, 1984 Madison Rd., Evanston.

• John Morris Russell, conductor

• Guest artists: Charlies Morey (violin), Victoria Ellington, Ciara Harper, Tia Toles-Seay, Noël Walton (vocalists).

• Program: A tribute to King Records, with music by James Brown, Bill Doggett, Hank Ballard and a selection from Cincinnati Opera’s “Fierce,” by composer William Menefield and librettist Sheila Williams.

Even MORE outdoor shows

While we’re planning our summer arts schedules, we should be sure to include the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.

After dealing with lots of cancellations during the past two summers, CincyShakes is back with an aggressive, 39-performance tour schedule that ranges from Portsmouth and Springfield to Richmond, Indiana. And, of course, they’ll perform in many, many local parks, opening July 15 in Eden Park and finishing up September 2 at the Colerain Park Amphitheater. Be sure to keep checking the schedule, because it is likely that more will be added.

In a departure from previous tours, where the company has performed different shows in repertory, this summer will focus on a single production of Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night.” The production will be directed by company associate artistic director and frequent actor, Crystian Wiltshire.

You can find the tour schedule online at https://cincyshakes.com/event/park/.

OTR Museum news

Ever so slowly we’ve seen progress on the Over-the-Rhine Museum’s big plans for its home at 3. W. McMicken St. The museum itself isn’t open yet. But as work moves forward inside the building, the museum is launching tours and sponsoring a variety of events that tell stories about the neighborhood that was the first port of call for so many people arriving in Cincinnati.

Last week, the project got a big financial and emotional shot in the arm when the National Endowment for the Humanities awarded the museum a $75,000 Historic Places Planning Grant. It was just one of four sites to receive the gran intended to underwrite the museum’s interpretive planning process.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra launching series of outdoor concerts