RELEASE: Omaha Symphony Dance Party at Gene Leahy Mall

Media Contact:

Daniela Volkovinsky

Communications Manager

Office: 402.661.8422

dvolkovinsky@omahasymphony.org

Under the direction of Music Director Ankush Kumar Bahl, the Omaha Symphony will perform two free concerts in collaboration with community partners

OMAHA, Neb., July 28, 2022 – In partnership with The RiverFront, the Omaha Symphony presents two free, interactive concerts at the Gene Leahy Mall on Saturday, September 17 at 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The concerts titled “A Symphony of Sports” and the “Omaha Symphony Dance Party” are part of Omaha Symphony’s Forte Initiative which aims to amplify the strengths of our community through collaboration, reflect our Omaha community onstage, and ensure access. The programs will feature a multitude of community partners, artists, and organizations. “These concerts are not only an exciting opportunity for us to return to the Gene Leahy Mall at The RiverFront, but they also clearly reflect the goals of the Forte Initiative and our vision of being the adaptable, innovative, and relevant resource for our community,” says Jennifer Boomgaarden Daoud, President and CEO of the Omaha Symphony.

The first concert of the day occurs at 1:00 p.m. “A Symphony of Sports” is a family-friendly concert which will take inspiration from a variety of sporting events. The music will feature a version of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony that’s more akin to a baseball game than a concert, a fugue that’s reminiscent of a tennis match, and much more. Just as sporting events are often interactive, this concert will offer children and their families a similar experience!

At 7:30 p.m., the “Omaha Symphony Dance Party” blends a robust array of lively dance performances with a variety of musical genres. Featured community partners include Dowd’s Irish Dance Academy, Love to Groove L2G Dance Collective with founder Aaron Derell Gregory, El Museo Latino, the Burke High School Drill Team, Heartland Youth Ballet, and the Omaha Jitterbugs. Dancers will also be joined by the dazzling vocal stylings of none other than Alexis Arai. From gracing the stages of The Voice, American Idol, and making it to the semifinals on Tengo Talento Mucho Talento, Alexis rivals some of today’s most talented vocalists and commands control of the country, pop, and jazz genres.

The orchestra will add to the festivities with performances of dance-inspired orchestral masterpieces, familiar jazz and musical melodies, dance-along songs by well-known artists, and orchestral compositions highlighting electronics and pop beats. Maestro Ankush Kumar Bahl says, “This performance will be an exciting opportunity for the orchestra to showcase all genres of music in collaboration with so many community partners. We are honored to provide this free, celebratory concert for our community.”

Details:

  • Saturday, September 17 at 1 p.m. – Children and their families are invited to enjoy “A Symphony of Sports,” an interactive concert featuring a version of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony that’s more akin to a baseball game than a concert, a fugue that’s reminiscent of a tennis match, and much more.
  • Saturday, September 17 at 7:30 p.m. – Audiences of all ages are invited to enjoy as Omaha’s dance community shines on stage. The “Omaha Symphony Dance Party” will feature Dowd’s Irish Dance Academy, Love to Groove L2G Dance Collective with founder Aaron Derell Gregory, El Museo Latino, the Burke High School Drill Team, Heartland Youth Ballet, the Omaha Jitterbugs, the vocal stylings of Alexis Arai, and your own Omaha Symphony led by Music Director Ankush Kumar Bahl.

The Omaha Symphony is a non-profit organization that presents more than 100 live orchestral performances from September through June. In addition to Masterworks, Symphony Pops, Symphony Rocks, Movies, Symphony Joslyn, and Family series concerts, the Omaha Symphony’s nationally recognized education and community engagement programs touch the lives of more than 40,000 people each year. For tickets or information regarding the Omaha Symphony, call 402.345.0606 or visit omahasymphony.org. Programs, artists, dates, times, prices, and availability are subject to change.

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