Enjoying the holiday spirit are, clockwise from left, Bob Dempsey, Phil Koslow, Ilah Raaz, Connie Raaz, Doug Vangilder and Audrey Dempsey. Photos by Marian Umhoefer/Review-Journal Friends gathering at Hills Park for the Las Vegas Philharmonic concert include, standing from left, Craig Baxter, Kaye Gray, Irwin Kishner, Jeanne Greenawalt, Larry Lehrner, Ruth Lillis, Jack Lillis and Congresswoman Shelley Berkley. Seated in front from left are Darlene Damele, Gayle Anderson and Diane Clary. Richard Plaster, from left, Mayor Oscar Goodman, Wendy Plaster and Phil Koslow attend the festivities at Hills Park for July Fourth. Members of the Las Vegas Philharmonic chat with associate conductor Richard McGee, center, before the concert. Hal Weller, founder and outgoing music director of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, chats with violinist Jennifer Eriksson before the concert. Lonnie Poe, from left, Mike Mikkelsen, Cheryl Zavetz and Jan Mikkelsen arrive early for the Star Spangled Spectacular July Fourth celebration at Hills Park to stake out the best spot for a picnic and to watch the concert and fireworks.

Hal Weller, music director of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, conducted his final Star Spangled Spectacular concert July Fourth at Hills Park. He will pass on the baton following the 2006-07 season.

The eighth annual Philharmonic Independence Day celebration at the park was hosted by Steve Schorr, vice president of public and government affairs at Cox Communications, and the master of ceremonies was Kurt Mische of KLVX-TV, Channel 10.

Concertgoers could bring their own picnic fare or buy a ticket in the VIP section, which included a catered dinner of assorted salads, barbecued beans and ribs, cornbread and fried chicken. Dessert was strawberry shortcake and apple pie. Beer, wine and soft drinks also were served.

Among the guests were Jeanne Greenawalt and Irwin Kishner, Ruth and Jack Lillis, Wendy and Richard Plaster, Kaye Gray and Craig Baxter, Tom Warden, Gayle Anderson, Diane and Patrick Clary, Arlene Damler, Sidra and Chip Kain, Diane Carlson and Bill Freyd, Phil Koslow, Wanda and Bruce LaFollette, and Phyllis and Hugh Roberts.

Preliminary entertainment was provided by the Suzuki violin students of the Nevada School of the Arts.

Before the concert, speakers invited to the podium included Congresswoman Shelley Berkley, Mayor Oscar Goodman and Dan Henson, Cox vice president of customer operations, who presented music scholarship winners.

The concert, under the direction of Weller and Richard McGee, associate conductor, opened with baritone Tod Fitzpatrick singing the "Star-Spangled Banner." On the last note of the national anthem, twin A-10 Thunderbolts from Nellis Air Force Base flown by Maj. Mike Curley and Maj. Preston McConnell did a flyover of the Philharmonic shell and the crowd of picnickers on the grass.

The concert continued with the "William Tell Overture," "Pops Hoedown," music from the film score "The Patriot" and the traditional "Salute to the Armed Forces."

Mezzo-soprano Juline Gilmore sang "Habanera" from "Carmen" and "So In Love" from "Kiss Me Kate." Fitzpatrick sang "Some Enchanted Evening" from "South Pacific" and impersonator Bill Acosta sang "Coming to America" and "Luck Be a Lady."

The Philharmonic opened the finale, which included fireworks, with the "1812 Overture" and continued with such patriotic favorites as "America the Beautiful" and "Stars and Stripes Forever."

In addition, the finale included the raising of a 25-by-40-foot American flag donated by Jerry Herbst.

New look: Artist Christian Riese Lassen of Galerie Lassen in the Forum Shops at Caesars had a special show on July 1 to mark the grand reopening of the remodeled gallery and the unveiling of a black Lamborghini Mercaldo that Lassen hand-painted with a marine life image.

Guests included Jackie Atkinson, Jona Marie Price, Jenny and James Davidson, Diane Ray, and Karen and Ian Peltier.

Gallery director Paul Olson announced the artist's arrival with his father, Walter Lassen, who Christian warmly credited for his inspiration.

The evening included a silent auction to benefit The Sunshine Kids Foundation, an organization committed to raising funds for children stricken with cancer.

As a major philanthropic donor of The Sunshine Kids, Mark Stark, chief executive officer of Prudential Americana Group Realtors, invited special guest G.W. Bailey of the TV series "The Closer," who serves as the executive director of The Sunshine Kids, and "Closer" co-star Tony Denison to talk about the organization and its mission.

Lassen unveiled a new suite of original works depicting the evolution of enlightenment.

Art Divant was the big buyer of the evening, having flown in from Japan as Lassen's guest. He purchased six of the new original seascapes unveiled by Lassen and eight Lassen India Ink underwater marine life paintings.

Also seen enjoying the event were Nancy Storey, Sue and Harry Richard, Jan O'Brien, Monica VanCleve, Annette Lexis, Marilyn and Terry McLaughlin, Michael Westra, James L. Taylor, Brigett and Douglas Stewart, Kathryn Bovard, Cheryl Irwin and Patrick Stockburger, and Delores and Diane Lassen.