Space-themed music to be featured at this year's Evening at the Pops

This year, the Evening at the Pops will take listeners into the mysterious depths of outer space as the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra will perform a program titled, “Race for Space.” The program will include several pieces by iconic composer John Williams.

“It’s really great to get out into that part of the community for the people who might not come into Orlando proper to come see us,” said Cristina Venturini, the digital marketing and communications manager with the orchestra. 

Every year, hundreds bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy an evening of music held against the backdrop of Lake Apopka at Newton Park in Winter Garden. This year, the annual Evening at the Pops will be held on Saturday, March 25.

“It’s a beautiful space to play in,” Venturini said. “It’s always fun to do outdoor stuff because people bring picnics.”

The annual event is hosted by the Rotary Club of Winter Garden and is one of the club’s primary fundraisers. The Rotary Club of Winter Garden supports a variety of local charities, including the Boys and Girls Club of Central Florida (West Orange Branch), the HapCo Music Foundation, Matthew’s Hope, the Heritage Foundation and the Oakland Nature Preserve. 

“They are always really good to us, handling all the logistics and production,” Venturini said about the club.

In addition to an evening of music, the event will also include an instrument petting zoo at 4:30 p.m. for children, giving them the opportunity to handle and try a variety of different types of musical instruments prior to the concert. 

The concert itself kicks off at 6:30 p.m., and the set list includes several well-known pieces. The orchestra will perform a “Star Wars” suite by John Williams, an arrangement of “Star Trek” music also by John Williams, “The Blue Danube Waltz” by Johann Strauss II, “Blue Moon” by Richard Rodgers and the movement “Jupiter” from “The Planets” suite by Gustav Holst.

General admission costs $10 on the day of the event. Outdoor seating is not provided, so attendees are encourage to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets for seating on the lawn.

Attendees are also welcome to bring in their own food and drinks, but food, soda, beer and wine will be available for purchase at the event.

The event also features VIP admission. Tickets are $75, which includes a catered meal, access to Tanner Hall, unlimited beer and wine and seating on the back balcony of Tanner Hall.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Winter Garden City Hall, 300 West Plant Street or by calling 407-656-4111.

A shuttle service to several parking lots will begin at 4:30 p.m. at run about every 15 minutes. The parking lots include the lot at the southeast corner of Plant Street and Woodland Sreet; the

Jesse Brock Community Center at 310 North Dillard Street; the vacant grass lot at the northeast corner of Dillard Street and East Division Street; and the park at the end of West Division Street.

In the event of inclement weather, the event will be postponed until 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 26.

Contact Brittany Gaines at [email protected].