Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (Irvine, CA)
Pacific Symphony presents a Fourth of July concert under the stars, featuring singer-songwriter Don McLean. McLean's hits include "American Pie", "Vincent", and "Castles in the Air". The evening also features a program of patriotic classics, a salute to the armed forces, and a spectacular fireworks finale.
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
All dates for this event have expired.
The last event was Friday July 4, 2008 / 8:00pm. (view all dates)
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Our seats were terrific, we had a great vantage point to listen to the symphony and Don McClean...and to watch the fireworks display. Another great experience at a discount price - Thanks Goldstar events!
This event was a wonderful tribute to our country! The OC Symphony was great, playing selections that honored our heritage. We had not seen Don McLean perform live before this and he was very good. Our daughter has grown up listening to his songs as well and he knew the words to most of them and enjoyed singing along. We would do this again given the opportunity.
The Pacific Symphony is outstanding. Don McLean was so, so. Loved the setting for the 4th plus the fireworks which were good but not outstanding.
The Pacific Symphony was great, but Don Mclean was just not as engaging or entertaining...The fireworks were spectacular...If it had been a different headliner I would probably rate it higher
Wonderful way to spend the holiday!
The symphony was fantastic & fireworks pretty good.
Fantastic music and singing from Don McLean. Good seats.
It was so easy getting the tickets at Goldstar. The seats were very good..in fact they were perfect for viewing the fireworks. The performance was really great and the jumbotrons made it fine to be sitting so far up/back and still able to see relatively well. I'd do it again and plan to bring my parents to California next year over the 4th to go to the Verizon for the concert. Thanks for making this possible!
Only thing I could not figure out was how to order the picnic dinner through Bristol Farms...do you have that feature available at Goldstar?
It was extremely special to have such a songwriter as Don McLean be combined with the Pacific Symphony. I thoroughly ENJOYED every minute of it. The fireworks and symphony were great. I especially was touched by the men and women of service to stand when their "song" was played. That was a nice touch to the evening.
This was an absolute blast. The combination of the Pacific Symphony and Don McLean was like mating peanut butter and jelly ... it really worked! We had a wonderful picnic beforehand and ended the night with outstanding fireworks. I would have driven 100 miles to attend this (but fortunately I didn't have to). Two thumbs up!!
great performance by Don McLean, the symphony was wonderful and so were the fireworks.
Wonderful orchestral music and Don McClean was an absolute treat. Even the fireworks show was top notch. Only negative was the rowdy teens who often made enough noise laughing and yelling to block out the music.
This was the best 4th of July celebration that I have enjoyed in 25 years! The symphony was amazing - the selection of songs were perfect for the evening. And Don McLean was truly a showman! He was awesome! And... the fireworks display afterwards was breathtaking!
All in all, it was a perfect evening!
It was a very pleasant evening. There was a nice breeze, not too hot, the sky was clear--perfect for a fireworks display. Don McClean was great...maybe a little too long. Loved the symphony.
Only one complaint--the speakers in our section, Terrace 13 (and maybe others) went out half way through the concert. We had difficulty hearing. It seemed more like listening to someone's car radio versus the booming surround sound you would expect. The people on the lawn were yelling "sound!" so I assume they couldn't hear well either. This problem definitely detracted from the enjoyment of the concert.
Lovely evening under the stars and the cool breeze, great fireworks, pleasing variety of music selections, awesome display of patriotism and fireworks, excellent seats. Highly recommended for a summer evening, an annual event for the Fourth.
good show!!!
A very fun evening. Don McLean was great, and the Pacific Symphony was marvelous. Superb fireworks.
The Pacific Symphony was excellent and Don McClean was wonderful! Great outdoor venue although they really need to upgrade the sound system. Be prepared for a 10-15 minute walk to the amphitheatre from the parking lot although they do have a shuttle for those who can't make the walk. It also takes a while to get out of the venue itself and the parking lot because of the crowds.
Enjoyed variety of live classical and contemporary music, as well as tribute to all five armed forces. Fireworks were above average, partly due to close proximity to viewing area. Microphones for choral group could have been better -- somewhat drowned out by orchestra. Sound system in Terrace and Lawn seating areas cut out several times. Still could hear OK from Terrace. Glad to see picnics are allowed during these events. Food prices are typically outrageous. Generally a good time was had by all.
DON'S VOICE IS GONE BUT THE MUSIC WAS SO GREAT AND THE FIRE WORKS WERE SO GREAT WONDERFUL EVENING THANKS SO MUCH
Shades, flip-flops, wine bottle, picnic basket, and 88 Pacific Symphony musicians…it’s everything anyone might need for a perfect summer evening. The Symphony’s “Summer Festival 2008” — the 21st season of symphonic music in the great outdoors, sponsored by The Orange County Register and led by Symphony music director Carl St.Clair—kicks off at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine, with a holiday celebration featuring rock and roll icon Don McLean. The singer—thanks to his 1971 anthem “American Pie” -- has proven himself to be an enduring superstar, with hits that include “Castles in the Air,” “Vincent,” “And I Love You So,” and “Crying.” Conducted by the Symphony’s Principal Pops Conductor Richard Kaufman, the concert also includes the Southern California Children’s Chorus singing favorite patriotic tunes, plus, a tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces—and a brilliant fireworks finale!
Picnicking under the stars with family and friends….celebrating the birthday of our beloved country with memorable music played by one of America’s great symphony orchestras….listening to a legendary American singer….incredible fireworks. What better way to spend a summer’s night?” says Maestro Kaufman, summing up what many in Orange County have also concluded about the Symphony’s Summer Festival. “It’s a ‘musical picnic’ right out of “The Music Man,” he adds.
The star of the concert, McLean—started just as he suggests in “American Pie”— as a paperboy. It was in this way that he learned of the death of the man he calls his first and last idol: Buddy Holly. Haunted by feelings that everything important had been said and done by bigger men, McLean tried his hand at music. In the mid-to-late 1960s, McLean earned regional success. When “American Pie” was released, the title song was considered too long by the AM stations of the day. But when FM caught hold of “American Pie,” they played the full version and listeners loved it. The record hit No.1 almost overnight and sold at an unbelievable rate; McLean shot into superstardom. And although the singer went on to record a number of hits, “American Pie” remains his signature song.
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