Symphony offers reprieve from storm

DOWNEY - However welcome the rains may be in Downey, we Californians tend to get cabin fever after a few days of it. We need a change.A change from looking at gray and damp is good. Getting out of the house with a pleasant destination is good. An easy drive and hassle-free parking, both good. And a fine, live, uplifting concert in a beautiful theater is very good indeed. Try it tomorrow evening. Come to our Civic Theatre for a Downey Symphony program that will feel like sunshine. Music Director Sharon Lavery conducts Grieg and Mozart, presenting as soloist a gifted young musician from Costa Rica, Gabriel Campos, performing Weber's Concerto No. 2 for Clarinet and Orchestra. Besides warming the cockles of your heart, your attendance will gladden the orchestra members, also. This is a tough week for them, involving three rehearsals for the evening concert, and a rehearsal and three performances for Music in the Schools - they played yesterday for all our 5th-grade students. Most of these professional musicians have long commutes to get to Downey - ever tried schlepping a string bass through the rain? - so a large, appreciative audience tomorrow night says to them, "Thank you for your music, for bringing great programs to our elementary school kids, for surviving as an orchestra for 53 years!" So here are the details: Downey Symphony concert on Saturday, Jan. 23, 8 p.m., in the Downey Theatre, 8435 Firestone Blvd. at Brookshire. A preview discussion of the evening's music starts at 7:15. Tickets are $25 and $30, $10 for students, available at the theater box office from 6:30 p.m., all seats reserved. Parking surrounding the theater is free. Inside the theater you'll find warmth, friendliness, beauty and that change we all need, and the benefits will stay with you a long time, rain or shine.

********** Published: January 22, 2010 - Volume 8 - Issue 40