Original 'Star Trek' star guest at concert

Jack Everly will conduct The Cleveland Orchestra in a "Sci-Fi Spectacular" at the Blossom Festival on Aug. 16, at 7 p.m.

The program features George Takei as narrator. He is best known for his portrayal of Mr. Sulu in the television and film series Star Trek. Vocalist will be Kristen Plumley.

Members of the Blossom Festival Chorus, prepared by Cleveland Orchestra Director of Choruses Robert Porco, also will participate in the program.

Concertgoers are encouraged to come in costume, dressed as their favorite Star Trek or Star Wars character. Star Wars characters from the 501st and the Rebel Legion will attend and be available for photographs with patrons.

The Aug. 16 program features music by composers including John Williams and Bernard Herrmann, from Star Trek, Star Wars, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Superman, The Day the Earth Stood Still, and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

New this season, lawn/general admission tickets allow patrons to sit on the lawn or in newly designated general admission areas in the rear corner sections of the Pavilion, adding 1,500 lower-priced seats in the Pavilion. These seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis to any ticketholder.

Also new in 2009, children 12 and under will be admitted free to the lawn for all concerts. For each adult ticket purchase, two children will be admitted free to the lawn.

Each child will receive a free Kids' Lawn Pass. Kids' Lawn Passes will be available at the Severance Hall Ticket Office, the Blossom Box Office, and the Lawn Ticket Booth at Blossom, and also will be available for downloading and printing online at BlossomLawnFun.com.

Kids' Lawn Passes are required for all children 12 and under on the Lawn. The passes are not valid for entry into the Pavilion. Anyone wishing to sit in the new general admission area of the Pavilion needs to have a Lawn/General Admission ticket.

Pre-concert activities

Aug. 16 is Family Day at the Blossom Festival. Gilby the Dalmatian, star of the children's television show Ask Gilby, will appear.

Activities run from 4:30 to 6:45 p.m. and include:

* Jupiter Jump (Moon bounce - children under 12 years of age can jump and play in a large, inflatable bouncer)

* Lazer Maze (laser tag game in a 20-by-30-ft. inflatable "room")

* Clown/Balloon Twister

* Magician

* Face painters.

* Discovery Activity provided by the Spring Garden Waldorf School of Copley Children will have the opportunity to compose a tune and have a musician play their tune for them.

Aug. 16 is also Celebrate Summit! Day at the Blossom Festival. Residents of Summit County may purchase lawn tickets to the evening's concert at the discounted price of $18 for adults. This offer to Summit County residents is available online only, at clevelandorchestra.com. Summit County residents can purchase discounted lawn tickets by going to the Orchestra's Web site and entering promotion code 6325.

Prior to the concert, The Cleveland Orchestra will offer patrons an All-American Cookout on the Blossom grounds. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. for picnicking. Concertgoers may purchase grilled fare including hot dogs, hamburgers, and ribs as well as potato salad, baked beans, and more, prepared by Blossom chefs. Patrons also are welcome to bring their own picnics.

Ticket prices
and parking

Pavilion $47, $36, $31; lawn/general admission $21. The $87 box seats include complimentary parking in FirstEnergy Lot A and access to the Kulas Plaza VIP services. Children ages 12 and under are admitted to the Lawn seating area for free for all Blossom Festival concerts.

Free parking is available. Patrons who buy Pavilion tickets at least 10 days prior to these performances will receive a free dated parking pass for one of Blossom's paved parking lots. (The 10-day advance purchase requirement is to allow time for postal delivery.) These paved parking lots are ADA accessible with ADA transport services to the Pavilion. In addition, there are a limited number of paid parking spaces available in the FirstEnergy Lot A (behind the Box Office) for purchase at $15 per vehicle (10-day advance purchase required). Call 216-231-1111 or 800-686-1141 for further details.

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