RSO to perform 'Happy Feet' at Festival Hall

The Racine Symphony Orchestra continues its Summer Pops concerts at Festival Hall with Happy Feet, on Friday, Aug. 1, at 7 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, $22 at the door; $5 students; $1 children.

Returning to the RSO podium is guest conductor Pasquale Laurino, who last performed tango music with the Pops in 2006. His array of professional posts has included concertmaster of the DuPage Opera, New Philharmonic, Chicago Chamber Opera, the Parkridge Fine Arts Symphony, the New Millennium Orchestra, Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, the Bel Canto Chamber Orchestra, the Skylight Opera Theatre, and Symphonia Concertante. A founding member of the Carroll College String Trio, Laurino made his 1983 conducting debut with Milwaukee Opera Company, and later conducted the Music Under the Stars series.

Great music written for all types of dance occasions will be featured in Happy Feet. Just as dance encompasses many moods and styles, this concert will tread lightly through a variety of sounds and centuries. Selections from Broadway’s A Chorus Line, Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Borodin’s romantic Polivetsian Dances (inspiration for A Stranger in Paradise), and ragtime romps by Scott Joplin will be performed. Audience participation on the dance floor will be encouraged during a salute to Duke Ellington and the big bands.

The Racine Symphony Orchestra, now in its 77th season and 21st Pops season, is Wisconsin’s longest-running orchestra in continuous operation. This season is supported by sponsors Chase and Johnson Bank.

Information and ticket sales are online and at 262.636.9285.