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30th Summer in the Parks

The Kentucky Symphony Orchestra rolls out its popular summer concert series to outdoor amphitheaters in Devou Park (Covington) and Tower Park (Fort Thomas) touting free, nostalgic, family-friendly regional gatherings with appreciative audiences, great musicians and a variety of fabulous music.

Summer 2024 marks the orchestra’s 30th consecutive summer series of concerts in the parks. Though free to attend, these performances are not free to produce. Volunteers at donation boxes around the concert bowls accept contributions from attendees to sustain this memory-making tradition. Audiences are encouraged to register at kyso.org for weather and information updates.

LET’S DO THE TIME WARP AGAIN: Seven Decades of Your Pop Music

• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 6 at Devou Park
• 7:45 p.m. Sunday, July 7 at Tower Park

Escape today’s insanity and time-travel with music that elicits fond, youthful memories courtesy of the KSO. From the King (1950s Elvis) to the Queen (2020s Taylor Swift), the KSO has your generation’s music covered with nostalgic hits performed by the KSO’s Boogie Band (studio orchestra and vocals). Sing along and dance to favorites by Queen, Neil Diamond, Stevie Wonder, Cold Play, Black Eyed Peas and 15 other super acts. 

SWING REVIVAL VS ELECTRO SWING: 1990s Swing Revival Meets 2020s Electro Swing

• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 3 at Devou Park
• 7:30 p.m. Sunday, August 4 as Tower Park

Swing as a musical style is 90 years old and the young of every generation seem to adopt it as their own. The Swing revival of the 1990s fueled bands like Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Royal Crown Revue. Across Europe in the 2010s-20s, EDM (electronic dance music), hip-hop and rap, infused with swing for a popular following across Europe. The KSO’s Devou-Doo Daddies brings these high-energy swing band sounds together (Cut Capers, Parov Stelar) for an explosive swing reaction. Do you have the energy and the moves to keep up? 

POPS, INC.: Faves of Anderson, Hayman & Mancini

• 7:30 p.m. Saturday, August 31 at Devou Park
• 7:30 p.m. Sunday, September 1 at Tower Park
• 7:00 p.m. Monday, September 2 at Woodside Arboretum, Middletown, OH

Without the notes on the page, orchestras have little to offer an audience. Top composers and arrangers provide a magical soundscape through lines and dots that musicians and conductors translate into the music that touches a range of human emotions. Three such composer/ arrangers — Leroy Anderson, Richard Hayman and Henry Mancini — from 1930-1979 made the Boston Pops a household name, while inspiring the formation of “Pops” orchestras across the globe. 

The KSO is thrilled to continue serving its unique brand of culture and entertainment to NKY & Greater Cincinnati audiences. For those who wish to avoid outdoor crowds, dress rehearsals on Saturday mornings, (7/6, 8/3 & 8/31) at 10 a.m. in Devou Park (Covington), are open to anyone. Sunday evening programs will be live streamed from Tower Park (Ft. Thomas).

The KSO appreciates the generous support of The H.B., E.W. & F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation, The Milburn Family, Wohlgemuth-Herschede, The Charles & Ruth Seligmann Family Foundations, Matinée Musicale Cincinnati along with local corporate sponsors: St. Elizabeth Health Care, Network for Hope, Schneller Knochelmann Heating and Air Fischer Homes, and Regal Maid, and the cities of Covington and Fort Thomas for hosting the KSO’s 2023 summer series.

Concessions and food trucks will be on-site at both Devou and Tower Parks. Bring blankets, picnics or lawn chairs. For more information, registration (for weather updates) and directions, visit the KSO at kyso.org or call (859) 431-6216. $5 (per person) suggested donation. Free parking. TANK Shuttles are running from Cov Cath parking lot to the Devou band shell for $1 each way.