Symphony Under the Sky

I have never considered myself smart or cultured enough to enjoy something as high end as the symphony. I envision any attempt I make to go to the symphony as being received about as well as Julia Roberts shopping for clothes in Pretty Woman.

“I’m sorry, Samsonow, We have nothing for you here. Please leave.”

But this weekend, there’s an event that may change my mind.

First off, “Symphony under the Sky” is in Hawrelak Park. So tuxedos and evening gowns (or whatever people wear to such events) are out. It’s a park, the weather is supposed to be decent (it better be, Classen!) and the atmosphere is casual. Interested? You’re interested.

If the weather isn’t good, things move to the Winspear.

From the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (ESO): Listen to 105.9 ShineFM about performances moving to the Winspear Centre. Venue changes will also be posted on our home page and on our twitter feed.

The ESO is on twitter? What’s all this about? I don’t know why I found that so surprising; maybe because when I think classical music, I think rolling old school. REAL old school.

Not so, according to Philip Paschke, new media specialist for the ESO. He has been e-mailing with Sally this week.

“In the last couple of years the ESO administration has really seen the value of social media in connecting with our patrons,” Paschke says. “I was hired about a year and a half ago to manage the ESO’s presence on the web and social media channels, as they were starting to dabble with bloggers reviewing performances.” (That’s where we come in. Full disclosure.)

“It’s clear to us that as traditional media channels reduce their local arts coverage, the gap needs to be filled, and what better way than to give ‘power to the people’ who come to our shows already?”

Since it’s the ESO’s hope regular folk can blog about events to try and demystify the whole classical music thing, consider this post our part. I mean, I’m not into this kind of music on a regular basis, but the Symphony Under the Sky intrigues me.

Monday’s performance is the 1812 Overture with live cannons shooting stuff. SOLD!

Paschke even has a hashtag all set up if you’re attending the long weekend event; you guys can tweet with #ssuts. The man knows his stuff if he’s got a hashtag. Ooh…and there’s a flickr group. (I learned, after including the link, that there’s a contest involved with your photos!)

Now…for anyone who may be interested, may want to review the show (as a member of the non-traditional media) and may want to know what people are saying on Twitter…and who may NOT own a car (this isn’t one of those hypothetical questions, I actually don’t) here’s how to get to and from the park:

Park & Ride/Free Shuttle

Catch a hybrid bus at the U of A Stadium pay-parking lot located northwest of the Butterdome (116 St & 88 Ave). Parking is $4.20 per vehicle, and the shuttle to Hawrelak Park is free. (FREE!) Buses begin running 2 hours prior to the first performance each day, and continue until approximately 1 hour after the end of the last performance of the day. Click here for a map to the Stadium Car Park.

Bike Parking

Bicyclists can use bike racks, being supervised by the Edmonton Bicycle Commuters Society no less, at the site.

See you at the Symphony!