Pops finds new venue for July 4

The Sierra Philharmonic League's 23rd annual Pops in the Park will take place two blocks from its regular location this Fourth of July, at the Orchard House, 188 Carson St., just south of Mormon Station State Historic Park in Genoa.

The event starts at 1 p.m. Tuesday, with performances by various musicians throughout the afternoon, and the grand finale, the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, scheduled to perform at 5 p.m. The orchestra will play a variety of music, with Maestro Barry Jekowsky conducting.

"This is the first time that we have this main conductor coming," said Sierra Philharmonic League President Bill Bandes. "He promises an innovative program."

Bandes said the program includes patriotic, traditional and Western music, including "Shenandoah" and "Turkey in the Straw." "Disney Magic" is also included on the program, as well as John Williams' "Theme from Schindler's List," to be performed by Andrew McIntosh, who started out with Carson Valley Violin School. McIntosh received financial assistance for education from the Sierra Philharmonic League and graduated this year from the University of Nevada, Reno, with a degree in music. He is now pursuing a master's in music at the California Institute of the Arts in Valencia, Calif.

"Now he's a contract violinist with the Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, with a solo at the Pops," said Bandes. "That's one of our banner achievements, to be able to help this youngster. One of the aims of the Sierra Philharmonic League is to provide assistance and support to talented young musicians in the area."

Entertainment starts at 2 p.m. Tuesday, with an hour-long performance by the Celtic singing group, Gáirín. Tom and Mary Kay Aufrance of Gáirín, pronounced "GUY-reen," sing and play traditional Irish music on instruments including: six- and 12-sting guitars, an Irish bouzouki, accordion, hand drum and a traditional Irish drum.

"They blend this with vocal harmony," said Bandes. "Their performance is full of jigs, reels and Irish ballads."

From 3-4 p.m., the award-winning Reno Silver Dollar Chorus will perform barbershop-style music. The group will also provide a strolling barbershop quartet from 4-4:45 p.m.

At the same time, from 4-4:30 p.m., violinists from Carson Valley Violin School will stroll around the yard at The Orchard House, playing their instruments for the crowd.

An instrument "petting zoo" is scheduled from 2-4 p.m., and clowns will paint faces and make balloon sculptures from 2:30-4:30 p.m.

More than 200 items for children and adults will be offered in a silent auction at the Pops in the Park event, including original artwork and vacations in Hawaii, Colorado and Utah. The auction will begin at 1 p.m.

The free event offers a chance for families to enjoy music every year. People can bring their own picnic lunch or buy it at the Genoa Country Store, which will be open all day. The league will sell wine, water and beer, as well as patriotic souvenirs and 2006 Pops in the Park T-shirts.

Good fortune shined on the Sierra Philharmonic League this year. With the Mormon Station Historic State Park still under renovation, the 23rd annual Pops in the Park had no where to go until Orchard House owners Randy and Betsy Falcke opened their doors to the Fourth of July event.

"It's a nice event," said Randy. "I don't really know of any other place in town where they could have had it."

"They saved the Pops," said Bandes. "It was the Genoa Town Manager Tom Peters who suggested we go to the Orchard House and (Randy and Betsy) were kind enough to be enthusiastic about it.

"Everybody in the area owes them gratitude. The 23rd annual Pops would have been called off if we hadn't found a venue."

The league's total budget this year was $32,000. People are encouraged to start considering their tax-deductible contributions. Help is needed during the day of the event and afterward. To volunteer call Bill Bandes at 588-7686 or Brenda Robertson at 267-2403. Donations may be sent to Sierra Philharmonic League, P.O. Box 234, Genoa, NV 89411.