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Savannah Winds to feature Sousa, Mercer
Annual spring POPS concert to be held Sunday afternoon at AASU
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SAVANNAH — Armstrong Atlantic State University Department of Art, Music and Theatre (AASU AMT) invites all to join the Savannah Winds for its signature Springtime concert event: the annual “Ed and Friends” POPS Concert in AASU’s beautifully renovated Fine Arts Auditorium, on April 26 at 3 p.m.

This year’s version of the always spirited concert features music by John Philip Sousa, George Gershwin, Leroy Anderson and Savannah’s own Johnny Mercer.

Guided by music director and conductor, Mark B. Johnson, the Savannah Winds, resident community wind symphony at AASU, has slated music of historic significance for the 2009 version of this special concert. Last year marked the centennial of great American composer Leroy Anderson. The ensemble tributes Anderson with music from his formidable oeuvre: “Bluebells of Scotland,” “China Doll,” “The Girl in Satin,” “Irish Washerwoman,” “The Minstrel Boy,” “Blue Tango,” and “The Waltzing Cat,” amongst others.

Speaking of centennial tributes, the band joins so many other organizations in Savannah with its own nod to Savannah’s own by performing two medley sets: Cofield’s “A Johnny Mercer Medley” and Baker’s “Here’s Johnny… Mercer.”

Rounding out the program, Johnson’s ensemble closes with Symphonic Gershwin, a vintage Warren Barker arrangement of mesmerizing Gershwin melodies from “An American In Paris,” “Cuban Overture,” and “Rhapsody in Blue”; followed by the incomparable magnum opus of legendary concert band leader, John Philip Sousa, “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

The Savannah Winds Community Wind Symphony in residence at AASU is an ensemble that in recent years boasted of community membership consisting of select AASU students in addition to local musicians ranging in age from teenagers to players in their 80s.

The ensemble has come to be regarded as Savannah’s premier community wind ensemble. Membership changes from season to season, and the band invites interested musicians, professionals and those who enjoy music as an avocation, to become involved.

Rehearsing weekly from September through June, the group regularly performs patriotic, standard, and art music of the vast and rich wind ensemble repertoire.

Ed Caughran of “Ed & Friends” fame … The Annual POPS Concert originated as a cornerstone of the “Ed and Friends” concert series. The “Ed and Friends” tradition celebrates the numerous achievements of Caughran, retired fine arts coordinator and music specialist for the Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools.

The AASU Fine Arts Auditorium is a nearly 1,000 seat, mid-sized concert hall that AASU has just reopened after extensive interior renovation during the last 12 months.

Acoustical, aesthetic, technical, and cosmetic upgrades have now made this concert hall a premiere location for concert going experience. Parking is convenient, and the building is wheelchair accessible.

Johnson’s conducting responsibilities at AASU include leading the Savannah Winds, the university wind ensemble, and various chamber ensembles. He also teaches conducting, music education courses, and he coordinates the wind and brass studies divisions.

Johnson has completed post-graduate studies in band and orchestral conducting at the University of Kansas. He received his master’s of music degree in conducting and brass pedagogy from Louisiana State University and his bachelor’s of music education degree from Murray State University.

Tickets are on sale now! General admission concert tickets to the 2009 Savannah Winds Annual POPS Concert are on sale for only $14, with discounts for senior citizens, military personnel, and children/students.

Advance tickets are now available on-line. Visit www.finearts.armstrong.edu/ticketsales.html.

Or, advance tickets may be purchased in person or by phone at the Box Office located in AASU Fine Arts Hall lobby. Box office hours are 11 a.m.-3 p.m., weekdays. (912) 344-2801.

To purchase advance concert tickets by mail, please send payment (make check payable to AASU Department of Art, Music and Theatre) and a self-addressed, stamped envelope, including a note indicating number of tickets at each price level, to:
Savannah Winds POPS Concert Tickets Department of Art, Music and Theatre Armstrong Atlantic State University 11935 Abercorn St., Savannah, GA 31419-1997.

Any remaining seats will be sold at the door

Call (912) 344-2801 weekdays, for concert or departmental information.

All concert-ticket proceeds benefit students receiving financial support through the AASU Music Scholarship Fund.

Savannah, Richmond Hill, Tybee ready for July 4 celebrations
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The Savannah Waterfront Association will hold its annual 4th of July celebration, including fireworks, Monday on River Street from 4-10 p.m.

VIP seating for viewing fireworks will be available for active and retired military and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Hypnotics will perform from 8-10 p.m., including a patriotic set during the fireworks to complement the show.

The fireworks sponsored at 9:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to park off of River Street since the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department will close the street from 6 p.m.-3 a.m.

Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police are gearing up for this weekend’s July 4th and First Friday festivities; and ask the public to be mindful of traffic conditions in the Downtown area.

In anticipation of potential road delays, Metro will increase traffic and foot patrols in the Downtown festival area, starting Friday afternoon. Officers also will patrol Hutchinson Island in greater force to assist with traffic flow, prevent bottle-necking and help move motorists safely. To ensure safety and help minimize delays, motorists are asked to be vigilant, patient and co-operative.

Public parking lots on River Street will close on Monday at about 3 a.m. until early Tuesday afternoon. River Street will close to vehicular traffic Monday at 3 p.m. and will reopen early Tuesday morning.

All traffic and parking laws will be enforced on in Downtown Savannah and Hutchinson Island. Vehicles parked in the roadway, or in a manner that obstructs traffic will be towed at the owner’s expense. Please note that parking vehicles on the Truman Parkway and Talmadge Bridge also is dangerous and illegal.

Interstate 16 will be available to drivers leaving the firework show. To leave Downtown, traffic originating from points beyond Bay Street will be directed away from Martin Luther King Boulevard to other routes, such as Whitaker and West Bay streets. Westbound traffic on Bay Street will be directed to East Lathrop Avenue to access I-16 via Louisville Road.

Police recommend use of city parking garages, where drivers will be given maps for the easiest Downtown exit routes following the firework display. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead, expect delays and heed posted signage. The key components of the traffic plan include:

Prohibiting traffic from turning southbound onto Whitaker from Bay. Westbound traffic on Bay Street will be directed to alternate routes to I-16 through East Lathrop and Louisville Road, or through Garden City.

Parking garage traffic will be routed southbound on MLK, Whitaker and Price streets.

Alternate routes to I-16 are West Gwinnett and 37th streets. Price Street also can be used to get to 37th Street, which will take traffic to westbound I-16.

Additional signage will be deployed to assist drivers in locating the alternative routes to I-16.

Traffic may be heavy along Highway 80 for those leaving Tybee Island’s fireworks display. There is a slight potential for shallow coastal flooding due to King Tides July 4.  At this time, this flooding is not expected to close Highway 80. Remember if there is shallow coastal flooding:

Traffic headed toward Wilmington Island via President Street should flow as usual.

Also please remember that the city curfew law remains in effect for this event.  All persons 16 years of age and under must be off the streets at 11 p.m. unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Officers will be enforcing this ordinance.

As always you can stay up to date with the latest on the Festival, road closures and other related updates by following the Twitter feed @SCMPD, Facebook or www.scmpd.org.

Richmond Hill will host 4th of July events Saturday, starting with Star Spangled Cars and Coffee from 9-11 a.m. Car owners can bring in a car and interact with other automobile enthusiasts. Visitors can bring the family to view the cars and tour the Richmond Hill History Museum, formerly the Henry Ford Kindergarten. Admission to the event is free and coffee can be purchased for 25 cents with a $1 donation to the museum. This event will take place at the Richmond Hill History Museum located at 11460 Ford Ave. 

Fort McAllister will hold its 4th of July celebration Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with living history programs including demonstrations of Civil War drills and rifle and cannon firings. Visitors can participate in old fashioned games including sack races, an egg toss, wheel barrow races and a Civil War-era baseball game. Fresh watermelon will be available.  Admission for this event is $8 per adult (18+), $5 per Youth (6-17), under 6 are free. For more information, call (912) 727-2339.

Richmond Hill will kick off its annual Red, White, and Blue Independence Day Celebration at J. F. Gregory Park located at 521 Cedar St. For more information, visit www.richmondhill-ga.gov or call (912) 756-3345.

Tybee Island changed the date of their annual  fireworks from Sunday, July 3 to Monday, July 4. The Independence Day celebration will held be at the Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion with a fireworks extravaganza. It will be held from 9:30-10 p.m.