The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Conductor John Morris Russell, announces three exciting summer 2013 concerts at Riverbend Music Center. The three concerts feature award-winning artists, traditional popular tunes and a diverse array of genres, resulting in the one-of-a-kind musical experience that epitomizes the Pops. The season kicks off Saturday, June 8 with the Pops debut of Motown and R&B legend Smokey Robinson.
During his 50-year music career, the singer and songwriter has made his mark not only with his own hits, but as a writer and producer for such acts as The Temptations, Mary Wells, Marvin Gaye and others, earning a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
On Saturday, June 22, Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell returns to perform tunes from Broadway musicals that have made their mark in Hollywood blockbusters as well. Shows such as Les Misérables, Chicago and My Fair Lady have translated into popular films, and Mr. Mitchell demonstrates their staying power backed by the lush Pops orchestrations.
Finally, the Pops’ traditional “Red, White and Boom!” Fourth of July concert returns, this year with a special tribute to the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address. A fireworks display by Rozzi’s completes the evening.
The Pops Series Presenting Sponsor is PNC. The Cincinnati Pops is grateful to Riverbend Pops Concert Series Sponsor Paycor for their generous sponsorship for all three 2013 Pops concerts at Riverbend, as well as Amica Mutual Insurance, Artist Sponsor for the Smokey Robinson concert.
Smokey Robinson
The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra welcomes legendary singer and songwriter Smokey Robinson for his Pops debut and the start of the Orchestra’s summer season on Saturday, June 8 at 8 p.m. Once called America’s “greatest living poet” by Bob Dylan, Mr. Robinson has spurned innumerable hits as both a performer and as a producer. A National Medal of the Arts recipient, a Kennedy Center honoree and a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the former Vice President of Motown Records has penned songs for such acts as The Temptations, Marvin Gaye, Mary Wells, Brenda Holloway and more, not to mention his own chart-topping hits as a performing artist. His star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame serves as a testament to Mr. Robinson’s influence on American music. Led by Mr. Russell, the Pops and Mr. Robinson will perform some of his biggest hits such as “Tracks of My Tears,” “Going to a GoGo,” “I Second That Emotion,” “Ooh Baby Baby,” “Tears of a Clown,” and more.
The Friends of the Pops will also host the annual Boat Ride to Riverbend before and after this concert. Fans will ride to and from the concert on the BB Riverboat “River Queen,” mixing and mingling with the artists during the ride back to Newport Landing. This highly-anticipated event is one of the Friends of the Pops’ most popular fundraisers every year. Boat Ride tickets are available through the Pops’ Box Office. Concert tickets for the evening must be purchased separately.
Broadway Night with Brian Stokes Mitchell
Some of the greatest Broadway musicals of all time translate seamlessly to the big screen, resulting in blockbuster films that bring the show-stopping numbers to the masses. Mr. Russell and the Pops bring those Hollywood hits to Riverbend on Saturday, June 22, along with the Tony-winning vocals of Brian Stokes Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell gained fame as a leading man of Broadway before expanding his career to include television and film (which includes roles in films such as Jumping the Broom and The Prince of Egypt as well as recurring roles on Glee, Frasier, Crossing Jordon, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Ugly Betty). He wowed Cincinnati audiences during his Pops debut in September 2011. His relationship with the Orchestra grew when he was included as a narrator on the latest Pops recording, Home for the Holidays. He’ll be singing tunes from such hits as Les Misérables, Chicago, South Pacific, My Fair Lady and more during this annual crowd-pleasing Broadway night.
Red, White and Boom!
Cincinnati’s patriotic tradition returns with “Red, White and Boom!” on Thursday, July 4 at 8 p.m. Mr. Russell leads the Pops in a time-honored program of Americana classics perfect for celebrating the birth of our nation. This year, the Orchestra pays additional tribute to the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysberg Address. The performance will include the world-famous May Festival Chorus as well as the Classical Roots Community Mass Choir, comprised of choir members representing dozens of area churches. Audience members are invited to stay after the concert for the famed Rozzi’s Fireworks display.
Ticketholders for this concert will also have complimentary access to Coney Island all day on July 4.
Ticket Prices
Single tickets for these concerts start at $15 for adults when purchased in advance and go on sale to the public beginning 10 a.m. Monday, March 11. Tickets for children 12 and under are 50% off, or free on the lawn. Ticket prices will increase by $5 per ticket on the day of the show. Prices are subject to change without notice.
Bring the family: Children 12 and under are admitted free to the lawn for all Pops concerts at Riverbend, thanks to the support of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
Reduced-price tickets for Children 6-12 are also available in the pavilion.
