It’s on of my favorite venues in San Diego, the Symphony’s Bayside Summer Nights series, outside on the Embarcadero Marina Park surrounded on three sides by water.
With only a couple weeks before baby #2 is born, I thought it would be the perfect evening out on a double date with my parents who recently moved to America’s Finest City. It’s a unique setting because there is something for everyone — whether you want to picnic on the lawn, sit in the grandstand or share a cheese platter at a reserved table.
We opted for lattes and desserts at a reserved table while taking in an evening with Burt Bacharach. I can’t believe the 90-year-old, six-time Grammy Award winner and three-time Academy Award winner is still tickling the ivories and conducting on-stage. He told stories behind his music and played many of his songs and collaborations that leave many considering him one of the most important composers of 20th-century popular music. Plus, we can’t neglect the fun fireworks show to end the evening.
The 82-member symphony, which was founded in 1910, is the oldest orchestra in California and this year marks the 35th summer season. With it’s continued success, the concert venue will soon undergo a $45 million expansion, after which it will be renamed Bayside Performance Park and go from a seasonal summer venue to a year-round entertainment facility.
There are still plenty more shows you can catch this summer. Here is the San Diego Symphony Bayside Summer Nights concert lineup through the rest of the season.
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE IN CONCERT SAT August 4 | SUN August 5
For the first time in San Diego, audiences can rediscover the magic of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Concert while the San Diego Symphony performs Patrick Doyle’s unforgettable score live to picture. In Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, Harry Potter is mysteriously entered into the Triwizard Tournament, a grueling contest among three wizarding schools in which he confronts a dragon, water demons and an enchanted maze only to find himself in Lord Voldemort’s grasp. All will change when Harry, Ron and Hermione leave childhood forever and face challenges beyond their imagining.
BIRD ON THE BAY: A CHARLIE PARKER TRIBUTE FEAT. CHARLES MACPHERSON* THU August 9
Charlie “Bird” Parker, THE innovator of bebop, speaks to all jazz musicians and music aficionados. His pioneering explorations on alto saxophone, playing complex lines over challenging harmonies, resonate to this day. Our special guest for this tribute is modern sax master Charles McPherson, famous for his work with Clint Eastwood on the Parker biopic, Bird.
WEST SIDE STORY FRI August 10
Celebrate the 57th anniversary of the iconic winner of 10 Oscars – the San Diego Symphony performs Leonard Bernstein’s score live with the re-mastered film (directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, featuring Robbins’ choreography, Ernest Lehman’s screenplay, Arthur Laurents’ book and Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics) shown in hi-definition with original vocals and dialog intact.
HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD! SAT August 11
Our annual tribute to film music is back, with an all-new set of expertly edited clips from award-winning masterpieces of cinema accompanied by some of the greatest music ever written for the movies.
GERSHWIN ON BROADWAY FEAT. AN AMERICAN IN PARIS AND PORGY AND BESS FRI August 17 | SAT August 18
The Embarcadero will come alive with the music of one of America’s finest composers, George Gershwin. This concert will feature Broadway stars performing the most beloved songs of George and Ira Gershwin, with particular focus on the recent revivals of An American in Paris and Porgy and Bess.
ROBERT RANDOLPH AND THE FAMILY BAND* SUN August 19
Founded upon the traditions of gospel music and heavily influenced by great funk and soul bands like Earth Wind & Fire, Robert Randolph and The Family Banddeliver one of the most high-energy concerts around. Pedal steel master Randolph was rated one of the 100 greatest guitarists ever by Rolling Stone.
STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE – IN CONCERT WED August 22
A civil war rages in the galaxy and Rebel forces struggle against the evil Galactic Empire. Join Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill), Obi-Wan Kenobi (Sir Alec Guinness), Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and the quirky droid duo R2-D2 and C-3PO as the unlikely team sets out to rescue Rebel leader Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and make use of the stolen plans to destroy the Empire’s ultimate weapon. The San Diego Symphony Orchestra performs John Williams’ iconic score live-to-picture at the Embarcadero Marina Park South!
LADIES WHO JAM: WOMEN IN JAZZ* THU August 23
The history of jazz has always included remarkable women. Join us for this exciting concert featuring some of the most interesting up-and-coming talent in jazz music today. It’s not just for guys anymore…and it never was!
THE FOUR TOPS + THE TEMPTATIONS* FRI August 24 | SAT August 25
Two of the greatest acts in Motown history…all on one incredible program! Original members Abdul “Duke” Fakir of the Four Tops and Otis Williams of The Temptations lead this powerfully nostalgic trip through indelible pop music classics like “I Can’t Help Myself,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “My Girl” and so many more!
1812 TCHAIKOVSKY SPECTACULAR FRI August 31 | SAT September 1 | SUN September 2
Another fantastic summer at the Embarcadero comes to an end with our ever-popular Tchaikovsky concert, led by Associate Conductor Sameer Patel. Don’t miss the grand finale: the 1812 Overture with booming cannons and a grand fireworks display over San Diego Bay.
