Michael Jackson tribute part of ISO summer series

Are you ready for the summer?

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra  seems to be. Today it's announcing its Conner Prairie concert series.

We knew there would be a Marvin Hamlisch concert, since he promised one when he needed to cancel a Hilbert Circle Theatre
appearance due to another Oscar nomination. That make-up show, featuring songs from the movies, will be offered June 25-26.

Backing up a weekend, the season will open June 19 with a program titled "Classical One-Hit Wonders," featuring
music by composers known primarilly for one piece. These include Dukas' "The Sorcere's Apprentice" and an
excerpt from Holst's "The Planets."

No surprise that July 2-4 will bring back the "1812 Overture," "Stars and Stripes Forever" and other
patriotic tunes. 

On July 9-10, Jim Curry performs. You have no idea who Jim Curry is, and that's okay. You do, however, know John Denver
and that's whose songs Curry will be covering in this tribute to the guy who thanked God he was a country boy.

On July 16 and 17, the original Mr. Sulu himself, George Takei, leads an evening of music from sci-fi films and television
shows including, of course, "Star Trek."

July 23  and 24 brings singer songwriter Brandi Carlile to join the bang. For July 30-31, it's an evening of Russian
music (including Russian conductor Andrey Boreyko and cellist Zuill Bailey. The ISO's ensemble-in-residence Time
for Three plays Aug. 6-7.  

And in the wildcard event of the summer, the ISO performs  A Tribute to Michael Jackson Aug. 13-14.

Once again, the season winds down with performances that don't include the ISO. This year, it's an Aug. 20-21 weekend
with the Duke Ellington Orchestra, an  August 27-28 Beatles tribute, a Sept. 2-3 Buddy Holly and friends concert, and
the Sept. 4-5 return of River City Brass  Band.

So, which are your first and second choices for the summer? And what do you think of the whole season?

(Note: Single
tickets don’t go on sale until April 26.)