Thursday, July 08, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

ON THE SCENE: Guests enjoy music and fireworks at Hills Park

Clint Holmes sings with the Las Vegas Philharmonic. Denise and Doug Greig with their 8-year-old son Alex attend "A Star-Spangled Spectacular" at Hills Park. Dale Harelik and Angela Clarke, toting serious picnic gear, join in the festivities during the Fourth of July celebration. Dorothy and Tom Petika enjoy the buffet before the start of the Las Vegas Philharmonic concert at Hills Park. Hugh Roberts, left, president of the Las Vegas Philharmonic Guild, presents Phil Koslow, executive director of the symphony orchestra, with a check for $15,000. Musicians in the Las Vegas Philharmonic tune up their instruments as guests gather for the annual Fourth of July concert at Hills Park. Photos by MARIAN UMHOEFER/REVIEW-JOURNAL

People arrived early at Hills Park Sunday to stake out their picnic area with blankets, chairs and coolers loaded with snacks and beverages in anticipation of an evening under the stars with the Las Vegas Philharmonic. The concert featured patriotic music and a fireworks display.

Those who wanted a more elaborate Independence Day feast could partake of supper and wine catered by At Your Service Caterers for the price of a ticket benefiting the orchestra.

Guests Char and Paul Hejmanowski, Sue and Harry Richard, Sharon and Norm Jenkins, Lou and Fred Schwager, Nancy Blatt and Mel Myers, Laurie and Phil Hagen, Larry Lehrner, Debbie Guy and Stan Wallace, Rachel Wallace, Haylie Brewer, Diane and Patrick Clary, Renee and Bill Marion, Brenda Holmes and Las Vegas Philharmonic co-founder Susan Tompkins dined on salads, fried chicken, barbecued spare ribs and strawberry shortcake.

The master of ceremonies for the sixth annual event that kicked off the Las Vegas Philharmonic's 2004-05 season was Kurt Mische of KLVX-TV, Channel 10.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., spoke about the nation's 228th birthday. The Basic High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC presented the colors.

Las Vegas Philharmonic Music Director Harold Weller escorted Clark County Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald to the podium where she sang "The Star-Spangled Banner."

The orchestra performed "American Salute" by Morton Gould, "Victory at Sea" by Richard Rodgers, "Hymn to the Fallen" and the theme from "Superman" by John Williams, as well as familiar patriotic music from John Philip Sousa and George M. Cohan. And no Fourth of July concert would be complete without Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture."

Harrah's Las Vegas headliner Clint Holmes performed music from "West Side Story" as well as "Follow the Flag" and "Abraham, Martin and John."

Audience members stood for their branch of the service when the Philharmonic played "Servicemen on Parade." Special recognition was given to Joan Hall, who was a volunteer during World War II, and to the veterans present who served in that war.

A winner from the evening's drawing conducted the orchestra in Sousa's "Liberty Bell." Other guest conductors included Richard McGee, the Philharmonic's assistant conductor, and Teller, the silent partner of Penn & Teller, who conducted a few Sousa marches.

Sousa's "Washington Post" was played in tribute to the late George "Boom Boom" Zambelli, the patriarch of Zambelli Fireworks Internationale who died last year.

Samuel Ward's "America the Beautiful" featured a fireworks spectacle that looked like Niagara Falls. When the Philharmonic began Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever," the summer sky lit up with a most extraordinary fireworks display by the Zambelli family and Irv Perry.

Sponsors of the event included the Howard Hughes Corp., Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and the city of Las Vegas.

Junior League: Past presidents of Las Vegas Junior League met at the lovely Canyon Gate home of Janice Allen recently.

Past president and hostess Allen greeted other past presidents Natalie Rittenhouse, Betsy Rhodes, Thalia Dondero, Donna Andress and Shirley Holst as well as Erica Mayer, the league's current president, and Tammy Peterson, president-elect.

Diana Wilson and Brenda Dizon assisted the hostess in serving margaritas, mimosas and wine before the luncheon fare of assorted salads and desserts.

Other guests included Madeline Andress, Sherry Beatty, Jeanette Clark, Deni Conrad and Nancy Gasho.

Luann Kutch, Louise Helton, Donna Levy, Debbie Herman, Kristina Swallow and Lynda Wohletz marveled at the home's beautiful new stained-glass windows and Allen's collection of antique clocks.