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Oregon Symphony is thrilled to bring back Portland’s favorite end of summer celebration and one of the most anticipated free community events, the Waterfront Concert and Festival. 

The citywide celebration features new Music Director David Danzmayr conducting the Oregon Symphony, and an entertainment lineup that spotlights Portland’s unique and diverse artists and community partners.

The Oregon Symphony begins its long-awaited performance at 7 PM with an exciting program that includes music featured in popular films (highlights from John Williams’ powerful score to Star Wars) to masterworks from iconic composers (Beethoven’s second movement from Symphony No. 7) and classical favorites (Edward Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March). The concert also includes an Oregon Ballet Theatre performance of the Grand Pas de Deux from Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty, as well as a selection from Kern and Bennett’s Showboat featuring Portland Opera vocalists.

The concert culminates with Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, complete with cannon fire from the Oregon Army National Guard to conclude the memorable musical event. Audiences around the world will be able to listen to the live broadcast of the concert on All Classical Portland (KQAC 89.9 FM and at www.allclassical.org).

This free festival begins at 1 PM on September 4 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland with performances from acclaimed local artists and community partners such as Darrell Grant’s PDX Jazz Masters Trio, Portland Taiko, singer songwriter Saeeda Wright, Black Belt Eagle Scout, Chris Pureka, Joaquin Lopez with harpist Antonio Centurion, and more. The Oregon Symphony then takes the stage from 7 to 9:30 PM.

Concert Program – Click here for complete program

Liszt: Mephisto Waltz No. 1
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7, Movement 2
Arturo Márquez: Danzón No. 2
Kern/R.R. Bennett: Selections from Showboat
John Williams: Selections from Star Wars
Elgar: Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1
Tchaikovsky: Grand Pas de deux from Sleeping Beauty
Johann Strauss, Sr.: Tritsch-Tratsch Polka
Alford: Colonel Bogey Marcy
Elgar: “Nimrod” from Enigma Variations
Tchaikovsky: 1812 Overture
Local Artists’ Programs to be Announced at the Festival

Artists

David Danzmayr, Music Director
Carlos Kalmar, Music Director Laureate
Oregon Symphony
Katrina Galka, Soprano
Matt Grills, Baritone
Xuan Cheng, Dancer
Brian Simcoe, Dancer
Black Belt Eagle Scout
DJ Anjali & The Incredible Kid with Dholi Adam McCollom
Darrell Grant’s PDX Jazz Masters Trio Featuring Mel Brown
Joaquin Lopez with Antonio Centurion, harpist
Portland Taiko
Chris Pureka, Singer Songwriter
Saeeda Wright, Singer Songwriter

The Oregon Symphony, in consultation with the Multnomah County Department of Health, has undertaken modifications to comply with current health and safety guidance. Additionally, the Oregon Symphony will require upon entry to the park a proof of full vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test, to attend the Waterfront Concert and Festival. Full vaccination is defined as completion of the two-dose regimen of Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or one dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine administered two weeks or more in advance of the concert. A negative COVID-19 test must be taken not more than 72 hours before the concert. A face covering is required while attending the Waterfront Concert and Festival. Face coverings must completely cover nose and mouth and have ear loops, or similar, to hold in place. Gaiters and bandanas are not acceptable. Face coverings must be worn at all times except while eating, drinking, or taking oral medications for brief periods. To allow for social distancing, there will be restricted capacity for the festival and concert. Capacity will be limited to 4,000, an approximate 70 percent reduction as compared to previous attendance records.

Concertgoers are asked to bring only low-profile chairs or blankets for seating in order to preserve sight lines for those behind them.  Alcohol beverages are not allowed in Tom McCall Waterfront Park pursuant to the Oregon Symphony’s permit with the City of Portland.