Pops at the Beach

Pops at the Beach

The Beaches Fine Arts Series and the City of Jacksonville Beach have partnered to host the 14th Annual Mother’s Day Pops at the Beach concert featuring the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (JSO) on Sunday, May 11, 2008. What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than attending this favorite annual event. Admission is free.

This is the 14th POPS AT THE BEACH performance by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and the eighth on the Sea Walk Pavilion stage, designed by The Haskell Company specifically to meet the requirements of the JSO. The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra takes the stage at 8 PM. Moms of the First Coast, their families and friends, will be treated to special performance conducted by Fabio Mechetti, Music Director and Principal Conductor. Brazilian-born, Fabio Mechetti is one of the most respected conductors in the United States and has been Music Director and Principal conductor since 1999.

Music starts at 6:00 PM with a performance by the Jacksonville Mass Choir & Friends presenting "Sounds of Motown, Philly . . . and More!" In the beginning was the sound . . . and the sound was Motown! You’ll hear all your favorite Philly hits like "Love Train", "Love TKO", "Ain’t No Stopping Us Now", "Didn’t I Blow Your Mind This Time", "New Attitude" and "You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine". You’ll also hear some other soul classics including "Ooh Baby Baby", "For Once in My Life", "Let’s Stay Together" and "My Girl". Directed by Deborah McDuffie, JMC’s special guests include local Jacksonville performers Steven Amburgey, Edna Bland, Josh Howell, Mark Hall, Tim O’Berry, and Tania Yegelwel. Take a trip down memory lane and share your memories of the fabulous Motown sound.

The event area opens at 5:00 PM. Mom can bring the kids to enjoy a special Jax4Kids.com Playland from 5 PM until 8 PM. Tumble in Somies Gymnastic Gym on Wheels Gym Bus, get a priceless caricature of your child from Mr. D, an airbrush tattoo from Airtat Tatoos, make a take-home Mother’s Day art project for Mom, bounce in the bounce houses, have their face painted, play games and win prizes. All activities are free. Jax4kids.com is a free website committed to uncovering the arts, events, camps, classes, sports, playgroups, resources for parents, places to go, fun things to do, and where kids eat free in Jacksonville.

This year Jacksonville Beach’s budget cuts threatened this signature event. City staff approached the Beaches Fine Arts Series and invited them to help make this wonderful event happen. They immediately accepted the invitation. This is a natural partnership as the Beaches Fine Arts Series has brought world class music to the Jacksonville Metropolitan area since 1972, and the City of Jacksonville Beach has hosted the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra performance at POPS AT THE BEACH since 1994. POPS AT THE BEACH was first performed in the field left from the destruction of the old Flag Pavilion. After several years of building temporary stages with the assistance of PRI Productions, the City of Jacksonville Beach created the Sea Walk Pavilion, a first-class performance stage, with the help of The Haskell Company. The stage was designed specifically to meet the requirements of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.

There is no better way to show moms how special they are than this outstanding performance under the stars at Jacksonville Beach’s Sea Walk Pavilion. Bring mom, the lawn chairs or blanket, and join us for an evening of great music, moonlight, sea breezes and the sounds of the ocean. This is a family event, kids of all ages are welcome. Soft drinks, wine and beer, food, and dessert are available for purchase.

For more information, call our EVENTS HOTLINE at (904) 247-6100 press 3 or call the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce, Beaches Division at (904) 249-3868. Visit our website at www.jacksonvillebeach.org. This event is sponsored by the Beaches Fine Arts Series, City of Jacksonville Beach, Lite 96.1 FM, PRI Productions, Comcast, The Haskell Company, Real Yellow Pages, and Jax4Kids.com.