The Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s Picnic with the Pops summer concert series, presented by Nationwide, is back for another year starting June 15 and running through July 27.
Some of this season’s headliners can also be found on tour in different parts of the country throughout the summer. Make sure to catch the performers you love – whether here at Columbus Commons or elsewhere across the country – to make the most of this summer.
June 15 - Generation Radio with Jason Scheff and Jay DeMarcus
Chicago’s Jason Scheff and Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus are joined by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ Steve Ferrone and acclaimed performers Chris Rodriguez and Tom Yankton to perform country and classic rock hits by their respective bands.
June 22 - Violent Femmes
Folk punk outfit Violent Femmes performs such alternative-radio hits as “Blister in the Sun,” “Gone Daddy Gone” and “Add it Up.” If you can’t catch the band at Picnic with the Pops, catch it at the following shows around the same time:
- Murat Theatre in Indianapolis on May 16
- Riverfront Live in Cincinnati on May 17
- Masonic Cathedral in DetroitI on May 18
- Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle on July 25
- Project Pabst in Portland, OR on July 27
Learn more about Violent Femmes’ tour and other shows on its website, www.vfemmes.com.
June 29 - Patriotic Pops – A Gershwin Celebration
Photo by Randall Schieber
PatrioticPops
Patriotic Pops, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, John F. Wolfe Colummus Commons.
The symphony commemorates George Gershwin’s greatest hits by playing patriotic tracks leading up to Independence Day. Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” which is widely regarded as a great American masterpiece, turns 100 this year. This day’s performance also includes an appearance by the U.S. Color Guard, a flyover by the Cincinnati Warbirds, a military branch recognition ceremony and a firework display.
July 6 - Windborne: The Music of Led Zeppelin
Windborne performs tracks from the iconic hard rock group’s discography to bring the authentic Led Zeppelin experience back to life. Windborne also performs the tracks of Queen, the Rolling Stones, the Doors and Pink Floyd on its tour. Catch the group in Colorado Springs on May 10 and 11 for its Music of The Rolling Stones performance and in Connecticut on May 25 for its Music of Queen performance. Learn more about Windborne’s tour at its website, www.windbornemusic.com.
July 13 - Nas
Grammy-winning rapper Nas is joined by the orchestra to perform a symphonic version of his acclaimed debut album Illmatic. Catch him on his international tour at the following shows:
- Lovers & Friends in Las Vegas on May 4
- Roots Picnic in Philadelphia on June 1
- Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, CO on June 30
- Harris Park in London, Ontario on July 12
- Palace Theatre in Albany, NY on July 19
- Filene Center at Wolf Trap in Vienna, VA on July 21
- ExpoPark Nidau-Biel in Nidau, Switzerland on Aug. 10
- Masseria Ferragnano in Locorotondo, Italy on Aug. 12
- Victoria Park in London, UK on August 17
Learn more about Nas’ tour and his other shows on his website, www.nasirjones.com.
July 20 - Cody Fry
Introduced to the world when he became an American Idol finalist in 2015, Cody Fry is now a Grammy-nominated artist, with his songs taking off on social media sites such as TikTok. Responsible for such hits as “I Hear a Symphony” and a cover of the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby,” Fry incorporates a classical twist into modern tunes. Catch him at one of his other national shows:
- Costa Mesa, CA on May 10 and 11
Photo courtesy Columbus Symphony
cody fry
- Chicago on May 13
- St. Louis, MO on June 7
- Minneapolis on June 15 and 16
- Atlanta on June 20 and 21
- Nashville, TN on June 25
- Pittsburgh on July 10
- Detroit, MI on July 24
Learn more about Cody Fry’s tour and his other shows on his website, www.codyfry.com.
July 26, 27 - The Ohio State University Marching Band
To conclude the series, TBDBITL continues to celebrate Buckeye spirit. The marching band’s tradition of closing the Picnic with the Pops series continues strong with the classics Buckeye fans know and love, from fight songs to battle cries, accompanied by a fireworks display.
Check it out
For more information about the series and ticket prices, check out www.picnicwiththepops.com and www.cbusarts.com, or call 614-469-0939.
Ria Akhilesh is an editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Feedback welcome at feedback@cityscenemediagroup.com.
