The Fort Wayne Philharmonic recently announced its 2023-24 concert season, promising their 80th year will be “Bigger. Bolder. Together.” as they move their shows from Embassy Theatre to Auer Performance Hall at Purdue University Fort Wayne.
“The Fort Wayne Philharmonic’s 2023-24 season is one that has given me an incredible amount of joy in planning,” Music Director Andrew Constantine said. “Not only does it offer us the opportunity to present to you some of the greatest music ever written, we’ll also be hosting a truly outstanding array of guest artists and soloists in a welcoming and comfortable environment. I can’t wait to share with you a journey that will help shape the Philharmonic’s new and exciting future!”
The season kicks off with a special event as the orchestra plays alongside Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back on Sept. 16. Other special events include a new series, The Sound of Innovation, at Electric Works; Never Break the Chain: The Music of Fleetwood Mac on Sept. 23; The Muppet Christmas Carol on Nov. 16; Symphony of Steel at Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum in Auburn on Dec. 7; Messiah by Candlelight on Dec. 22; The Romance of Brahms: Part I on Feb. 2; and the fan-favorite Bach in the Barn from April 25-27.
The Masterworks Series gets under way Oct. 7 with Gil Shaham & Pictures at an Exhibition on Oct. 7, followed by Concerto for Oboe with Orion Rapp on Nov. 11, Cello Virtuoso Thomas Mesa on Jan. 20, Mozart Requiem on Feb. 17, Rachel Barton Pine & Dvořák’s 7th on March 9, Beethoven with Philippe Quint on April 13, and Fabio Bidini Plays Rachmaninoff on May 4.
On Oct. 14, the Pops Series begins with Tony- and Grammy-winner Heather Headley, a Northrop High School graduate, followed by Holiday Pops from Dec. 14-17, Byron Stripling’s Mardi Gras on Feb. 3, Sinatra and Beyond with Tony DeSare on March 23, and Go Now!: The Music of The Moody Blues on May 11.
The Brotherhood Mutual Freimann Insurance Company Series will be at History Center on Oct. 25 and Oct. 29, Jan. 24 and Jan. 28, Feb. 28 and March 3, and May 8 and May 12.
The Family Series kicks off with Día de los Muertos on Oct. 28 at PFW, Year of the Dragon: A Lunar New Year Celebration on Jan. 27 at Arts United Center, Mystery Destination! on March 2 at PFW, and Johnny Appleseed Goes to the Symphony on April 6 at Arts United Center.
Subscription tickets go on sale July 26 and single tickets can be purchased Aug. 15.
Celebrate America with Patriotic Pops
The Fort Wayne Philharmonic has also announced the schedule for this year’s Patriotic Pops.
The free shows that celebrate the American spirit begin June 25 at Oakwood Resort in Syracuse, followed by Pokagon State Park in Angola on June 29, DeKalb Outdoor Theatre in Auburn on June 30, Parkview Field in Fort Wayne on July 1, Madison Street Plaza in Decatur on July 3, and Bixler Lake Park in Kendallville on July 4.
All the shows begin at 7:30 p.m., except the shows at Parkview Field and Bixler Lake Park start at 8:30 p.m.
Besties Brunch at Embassy Theatre
Fort Wayne Youtheatre will hold its second annual Besties Brunch at Embassy Theatre on Saturday, June 10, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The event will include a brunch buffet, bottomless mimosas, pop-up shops, silent auction baskets, and heartwarming testimonials. Get tickets at artstix.org.
Shoppers ready for Vera Bradley Outlet Sale
The Vera Bradley Annual Outlet Sale will be June 14-18 at Memorial Coliseum with four ticketed shopping sessions Wednesday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m., with one-hour breaks in between. Non-ticketed shopping will be Saturday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.
Gene Marcus Piano Camp and Festival at PFW
Each summer, the Gene Marcus Piano Camp and Festival offers a week of performances for campers and anyone with an interest in piano and exceptional musicianship. The 2023 featured guest artist is Grammy-nominated pianist and conductor Kara Huber. All events take place in Rhinehart Recital Hall and are free and open to the public.
This year’s festival includes an opening recital on Sunday, June 11, at 5:30 p.m., a featured guest recital on Monday at 7:30 p.m., Emerging Artists Recitals on Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., and the final student recital on Friday at 5:30 p.m.
News and Venues covers Northeast Indiana’s music and arts organizations, venues, and colleges, from large to small. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.
