Nutcracker News

Two performances of 'Nutcracker' are scheduled

Patron and sponsor opportunities offered

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

By Beth Martin

The Slidell Symphony Society is offering patron tickets and sponsorship opportunities and preparing for general ticket sales for "The Nutcracker" performances this holiday season on the north shore.

Slidell Symphony Society will present the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the Delta Festival Ballet production of "The Nutcracker" on Dec. 15 and 16 at the Northshore Harbor Center near Slidell. Both matinees will begin at 2 p.m. and include an intermission.

Slidell Symphony Society, a nonprofit organization that provides quality symphonic music for all age groups in the community, will bring in maestro Glenn Langdon to conduct the full orchestra. Langdon, who has conducted "The Nutcracker" for seven seasons, is the musical director and conductor for the national touring company of "Phantom of the Opera."

Artistic Directors Maria and Joseph Giacobbe lead the New Orleans-based Delta Festival Ballet, which began touring "The Nutcracker" in 1981. The production features "lavish costumes, beautiful sets and well-trained dancers" and Richard Munro choreography, based on the London Festival Ballet original production, according to Slidell Symphony Societ information.

This year's unprecedented double presentation in St. Tammany Parish will feature more than 60 young dancers from the local area among the professional performers, said Slidell Symphony Society "Nutcracker" Chairwoman Suzanne Krieger.

"The Slidell Symphony Society is delighted to bring this Christmas gift to the north shore community again," she said. "We're actually going to have a bigger and better 'Nutcracker.' "

Tickets for last year's event sold out a week prior to the standing-room-only event for 12,000 people.

The 2007 presentation will be an expanded rendition that includes different scenes, which were not feasible last year because of stage limitations, and other enhancements. SSS is renting additional equipment to provide 900 seats, of which 600 will be raised for better viewing, at each performance and a raised stage, she said.

Tickets will be $25, $35 or $40, depending on the seating section. SSS will begin taking reservations for individual tickets Oct. 29. Priority seating is available with various patron packages, beginning at $250 for two tickets, an invitation to the Premier Gala and patron program recognition.

"The Slidell Symphony Society would not be able to present performances of this quality, if not for the patrons," she said.

For ticket reservations, call (985) 718-4905. For patron tickets and other sponsorship information, call (504) 491-0157.

Published on NOLA.com Wednesday, October 17, 2007 2:28 p.m.

Published in The Times-Picayune Thursday, October 18, 2007

Big Band Kicks

TALK OF THE TOWN

Big band music ruled at SSS salon concert

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

By Lisa von Eberstein

The stars were shining and the music was swinging as the Slidell Symphony Society kicked off its 2007-08 symphonic season with a salon concert Sept. 29.

"Swinging Under the Stars" was held at Bayou Oaks Plantation, the elegant Slidell home of Chuck and Kay Sabadie who co-chair the Symphony Society. Members and guests of the nonprofit organization enjoyed a delectable gourmet dinner while delighting in the magnificent sounds of Leif Pederson's 1944 Big Band performance.

Chuck Sabadie said the concert at his waterfront home was a tribute to the classics, and the 14-member full big band kept guests out of their seats and practicing their swing skills. "Where else can you go to enjoy big band music, with our own view of Bayou Liberty?" he said.

Members of the Northshore High School Dance Club also entertained the group with their ballroom dancing talents.

A New Orleans native and Slidell resident, Pederson's accomplishments include performances for the late President Ronald Reagan and Norway 's crown prince, and at the Blue Room in New Orleans, Disneyland, Disney World and the Waldorf Astoria.

Pederson said he hopes the salon concert helped to grow the popularity of big band music. "The more things we can do, the more people will remember how great the music is," Pederson said.

Providing piano entertainment indoors was musician and composer Danny Holley.

The Symphony Society provides quality symphonic music to people of all ages in St. Tammany Parish, with special emphasis on providing educational opportunities for children. Salon concerts help raise money to fund events for children that foster a love of music, such as Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra concerts for elementary through high school students and Lollipop Concerts for preschoolers.

"The main thrust is to do education in the schools," said Salon Concert Committee Chairman Russ Westfall.

According to Sabadie the Symphony Society also will entertain older citizens in the community this season, as plans are being made for performances at senior centers. "We can bring to our seniors what we bring the children," he said.

The Symphony Society currently has about 250 members. "Members want to help raise funds by enjoying music ourselves," he said. "What we try to do is expand the presence within the community."

For information about upcoming Symphony Society events, go online to www.slidellsymphonysociety.org.

Published on NOLA.com Wednesday, October 10, 2007 2:42 p.m.
Published in The Times-Picayune Thursday, October 11, 2007

PHOTO GALLERY (PART I of 3)
PHOTO GALLERY (PART 2 of 3)

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