Carroll College and the Helena Symphony continue their collaboration for the twenty-first annual Symphony Under the Stars. The Helena Symphony welcomes back Intrepid Credit Union as its major sponsor, making good on a multi-year commitment to the event. This free concert on Saturday, July 19 at 8:30 p.m. takes place at the Carroll College Campus’ Guadalupe Hill. Blanket reservations are available starting at 3 p.m. with a $5 donation to the Boy Scouts. The event includes a fireworks finale.
Considered the largest summer event in Montana, the event attracts over 16,000 people from all over the state and beyond. The theme this year is titled “ICONS,” and will reflect the great voices that changed music over the past half century. Symphony Under the Stars won’t be locked into a particular musical style, but will have a bit of soul, a bit of country, a bit of rock, and a bit of disco. The voices highlighted include some that the Helena Symphony has featured in the past, such as Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, and Elton John, but also icons such as Whitney Houston, Diana Ross, Johnny Cash, and Stevie Wonder.
The Helena Symphony will be working with the same producer from some favorite past shows, and welcomes the return of Capathia Jenkins and Ryan Shaw, who both starred in the Aretha tribute in 2019.
The concert organizers encourage everyone to bring canned goods and non-perishable foods to hold their blankets down in case of wind. Experience shows that a minimum of eight cans per blanket works best. Food can then be donated to Helena Food Share, who will be on site to collect donations. This is their largest one-day collection event!
Food vendors will be on hand selling frozen desserts, kettle corn and dinner fare. There will also be a beer vendor. Of course, personal picnic dinners on the grass are encouraged.
Come out for a fine evening of community and great music with fireworks to boot!