River provides background for concert

This performance has been moved to Norton Auditorium because of rain.

Going out with a bang takes on new meaning when the The Shoals Symphony at UNA ends it season with "Symphonic Cabaret: Symphony at the Movies" on Saturday, May 2.

The final performance of the symphony will end with a fireworks show hosted by TNT Fireworks in Florence.

Attendees are invited to bring their blankets and lawn chairs for the family-friendly event set on alongside the Tennessee River at River Heritage Park in

Florence.

For this performance, music is taken from award-winning productions such as "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Chicago" and "Lord of the Rings." The show will combine classical music elements with popular culture and will include a electric guitar solo.

"Our goal with offering this concert is to create a fun venue that will increase awareness and attendance to the last concert of the 2008-09 season," said Allen Wall, board president.

In addition, the concert will feature "Colors of the Wind" from the sound track of the Disney film "Pocahontas."

A patriotic composition, "1812 Overture," by Tchaikovsky will conclude the concert.

"By offering a free concert to all Shoals residents, we are attempting to expose the community to the great performing arts program offered at the University of North Alabama via the Shoals Symphony at UNA," Wall said.

According to Wall, the symphony was founded as the Tennessee Valley Orchestra in 1970. The name was changed to its current title in 1985. In 2002, the symphony joined with UNA.

"This concert is considered as a pops concert for us," said symphony conductor Viljar Puu Weimann.

Pops, according to Weimann, is a style that combines classical with rock and pop music to create a lighter, more fun sound.

He said songs such as the "Raider's March" from Indiana Jones films are popular.

"That's going to be very recognized by our audience," Weimann said.

Weimann conceived the idea "Symphony at the Movies" because he is cinema fan.

He said the event will appeal to all ages.

"The idea is that you just come out with your family and bring your picnic baskets," Weimann said.

The symphony season included the "Christmas in Vienna" concert in December and "The Planets" in March at the Shoals Theater.

In case of rain, the performance will be in Norton Auditorium on the University of North Alabama campus in Florence.

Tickets for the 2009-10 season will be available at the May 2 performance.

Shelbia Brown can be reached at 740-5733 or shelbia.brown@timesdaily.com.