Popular Sunset & Symphony Returns to Bok Tower

Bok Tower Garden’s Sunset  Symphony event has quickly turned into the highlight of the fall cultural calendar in Sunny Central Florida. Tickets are on sale now for Bok Tower Gardens’ 8th annual Sunset & Symphony picnic and pops concert with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday, November 7 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $12 for members and $15 for the general public. The day of concert, tickets are $20 and children under 5 are free. Visit www.boktowergardens.org or call 863-734-1222 for tickets and more information.

This year’s theme is “Fanfare for Opera” and the Orlando Philharmonic will perform selections from “Candide” by Leonard Bernstein, “The Phantom of the Opera” by Andrew Lloyd Webber, “Can Can” from “Orpheus in the Underworld” by Jacques Offenbach, “Carmen Suite” by Georges Bizet, “The Barber of Seville” by Gioacchino Rossini along with patriotic favorites and more under the direction of guest conductor Joseph Mechavich. Soprano Janette Zilioli will sing selections from “La Boheme” by Giacomo Puccini, “The Merry Widow” by Franz Lehar and “Summertime” from “Porgy and Bess” by George Gershwin.

Event gates open at 3:30 p.m. The Instrument Petting Zoo will begin at 4:30 p.m. Located on the Garden Activities Center lawn, families can try their hands at a variety of instruments with the help of Orlando Philharmonic musicians.Visitors can also enter a drawing for a tour of the Singing Tower or a $100 gift certificate to the Tower & Garden Gift Shop. Tickets will be available at the Information Tent near the concert seating area. The popular picnic contest will award prizes for Most Elegant, Most Original and Best Fall. Winners will be announced during intermission.

Preordered boxed picnic selections are available from the Blue Palmetto Café for $8.50 and $10.50 plus tax and can be picked up November 7 until 5:45 p.m. Call 863-676-1355 for advance orders. Chicken and yellow rice, hot dogs, snacks and beverages including beer and wine will be available for sale at the Hilltop Café from 3:30 to 8:00 p.m. The Gift Shop and Visitor Center will remain open until after the concert.Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets, insect repellent and flashlights. Handicapped parking and shuttle service will be available.

Tickets may be purchased online at www.boktowergardens.org, at Bok Tower Gardens, Citizens Bank & Trust, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra (407-770-0071), and Chambers of Commerce in Lake Wales, Bartow, Haines City, Lakeland and Winter Haven. For more information, call the event line at 863-734-1222.