Happy 240th birthday, America.
You don't look a day over 230. In fact, 240 is the new 230. Enjoy!
In what has become a July 4 tradition for many, PBS celebrates Independence Day with A Capitol Fourth, its annual birthday present to America. The special airs at 7 p.m. Monday, with an encore at 8:30.
Once again, our host is Tom Bergeron (Dancing With the Stars), who welcomes an all-star cast plus makes special tributes celebrating the 75th anniversary of the USO and the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service.
The show will open with the national anthem performed by Alisan Porter, winner of Season 10 of The Voice.
Porter, who was the titular star of Curly Sue as a child actress, was the first Voice winner with a female coach (Christina Aguilera).
The evening, which airs live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, features musical performances by Smokey Robinson, Kenny Loggins, singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw, country singer Cassadee Pope, actress/singer Amber Riley (Glee), 16-year-old musical prodigy and classical crossover star Jackie Evancho, Tony-winner Sutton Foster (Younger) and the Broadway cast of On Your Feet!, which is the true story of Gloria and Emilio Estefan.
All of this and the National Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Pops conductor Jack Everly.
This is the 36th annual PBS broadcast of A Capitol Fourth and, as usual, there will be hundreds of thousands on the lawn and millions of viewers at home, plus our troops serving around the world and watching via the American Forces Network.
If you want to blast the music in stereo, the program can also be heard live over NPR-member stations nationwide.
Last, but not least, the evening will be capped off by what PBS claims is "the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation."
Captured by 20 cameras positioned around the city, including the Capitol, White House, Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument, the fireworks will climax with the traditional rendition of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, including live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery.
Never fear. The cannon fire may be live, but they'll be firing blanks.
Rounding out the patriotic evening will be the Choral Arts Society of Washington, Patrick Lundy & The Ministers of Music, the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, the U.S. Army Ceremonial Band, members of the Armed Forces carrying the state and territorial flags and the Armed Forces Color Guard provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C.
POPS ON THE RIVER
As impressive as 20 cameras and the setting may be, I've always thought that watching fireworks on TV leaves something to be desired. It's better to be able to smell the acrid sulfur and feel the booming vibrations.
And watching with a crowd allows you to go "Oooooo" and "Ahhhhhh" in a convivial group setting.
For those who prefer their patriotic music live and fireworks up close and personal, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette will present the 33rd annual Pops on the River extravaganza beginning at noon Monday and running until 10 p.m.
The venue, as usual, will be in the River Market District of downtown Little Rock and will include more activities, additional hours, an even larger fireworks show and a larger event site than last year.
Pops on the River is the largest Independence Day celebration in the state, with more than 30,000 expected to attend.
Organizers say the event has continued to grow because it focuses on a family friendly environment. There will be food trucks, a Salute to the Troops program, and music by the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.
There will be free activities for children in the Kid's Pavilion, a classic car show, shopping and entertainment.
In keeping with the patriotic theme, all military (active or retired) can receive discounts and promotions during the event and after. Just check in at the main gate.
Entertainment set for the First Security Amphitheater includes the paper's Oh Say! Can you Sing? contest, music by assorted local artists as well as the orchestra. Music Director Philip Mann will conduct this year's performance.
Currently in his fifth year as director, Mann is a former associate conductor for the San Diego Symphony. He was also a winner of the Vienna Philharmonic's Karajan Fellowship at the Salzburg Festival.
If you want to come just for the fireworks, they will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. (sunset is 8:26) and will be shot off the Main Street Bridge.
As always, entrance to Pops on the River is free.
Style on 07/03/2016