City of Rochester presents RPO Under the Stars Free Outdoor Concert on Friday, July 7 at Parcel 5
Rochester, New York, June 22, 2023 – The City of Rochester’s RPO Under the Stars is back for the second year in a row as a part of the Downtown Definitely Events series. The free concert is Friday, July 7 on Parcel 5, 285 E Main St, Rochester, featuring the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra led by Principal Pops Conductor, Jeff Tyzik.
The concert is the first in the RPO’s Centennial Summer Season. It will feature symphonic jazz hits and original compositions. RPO trumpeter Herb Smith will star as featured soloist, playing scorching solos on a program with selections from Scott Joplin, Jelly Roll Morton, and Rochester’s own Cab Calloway. No tickets are required.
Bring a blanket and chairs. Grounds open at 5:30 p.m. with food and drinks available for purchase from Dar’s Delights Homemade Ice Cream, Al Dente Mobile Pasta, The Poutine Truck and Tacodero.
Sidewalk astronomy will be set up with telescopes for anyone to use to look up at the night sky courtesy of the Rochester Museum and Science Center.
RPO Under the Stars is presented by the City of Rochester in partnership with Downtown Definitely Events.
The evening of music starts at 6:30 p.m. with Mike Gladstone and Rob Smith of Junkyardfieldtrip.
“I thought, for these concerts, this would be a great way to showcase Rochester’s jazz roots,” notes Maestro Tyzik. “And coming on the tail end of Rochester Jazz Fest, we’re going to keep it going for a while.”
“The RPO Under the Stars concert offers an opportunity for families and neighbors to experience the joy of classical music right in the heart of Downtown,” said Mayor Evans. “I’m proud of the City’s continued partnership with the RPO to provide free, family-friendly outdoor concerts around the city. I’d also like to thank Downtown Definetly Events for their help collaborating on this fantastic event.”
Galin Brooks, president and CEO of the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation said, “We are pleased to join forces with the City of Rochester again in inviting music lovers of all ages to one of our City’s wonderful open-air spaces for an evening of free music. The RPO’s distinguished musicians will showcase a blend of symphonic jazz hits and original compositions offering an opportunity to bring people together from across the region, connecting them with phenomenal cultural resources right in their own backyard.”
The City of Rochester’s RPO Under the Stars concert is part of the second annual Downtown Definitely Events series of 15 free downtown Rochester events. All events are free to attend, including Midday Bash, four Movies with a Downtown View, an RPO Under the Stars, and Fall Fest, all of which will take place at Parcel 5. New this year, Play Day on the Riverway, will debut at the Rundel Library North Terrace.
Downtown Definitely Events are produced for RDDC by Rochester’s Bella Events Group.
As part of the planning phase for a potential business improvement district in downtown Rochester – an initiative to help bring more activity, street-level vitality, and energy to the downtown core – staff will be on-site at all Downtown Definitely Events to learn to listen and learn about how we can work together to imagine an even more vibrant Downtown Rochester. Community members can also learn more about the Partnership for Downtown Rochester and place management by visiting: partnershipfordowntown.org.
About the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has been committed to enriching and inspiring our community through the art of music since its origins in 1922. The RPO presents approximately 150 concerts and broadcasts a year, serving up to 170,000 people through ticketed events, education and community engagement activities, and concerts in schools and community centers throughout the region. Andreas Delfs was named music director in 2020 following notable RPO music directors Erich Leinsdorf, David Zinman, Mark Elder and Conductor Laureate Christopher Seaman. Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, now in his 29th season, has earned a national reputation for excellence in pops programming during his tenure with the RPO. The RPO reaches more than 15,000 youth through its specific education programs.
About Mike Gladstone and Rob Smith of Junkyardfieldtrip
Formed at the beginning of 2014, Junkyardfieldtrip was originally put together as a songwriting vehicle for Mike Gladstone and Rob Smith. After adding one of western NY’s top rhythm sections (Emmett Ientilucci and Don Torpy), the band started playing acoustic shows around the Rochester, NY area. Eventually the band started writing and playing more electric material. Over the last few years, Junkyardfieldtrip has quickly become one of the region’s most in-demand, eclectic bands, being nominated by City Newspaper’s Best of Rochester award for best band.
About Downtown Definitely Events
Downtown Definitely Events is a series of free events and activities founded in 2022 and produced by the Rochester Downtown Development Corporation (RDDC). Downtown Definitely Events take place in downtown Rochester from June through October 2023 and include food, festivals, music, movies, and more shining the light on downtown to create great new experiences and help bring the community together again. Downtown Definitely is a joint initiative of NYS Empire State Development, ROC2025 and Greater ROC, Rochester Downtown Development Corporation, Partnership for Downtown Rochester, and the City of Rochester. Their shared mission is to grow economic vitality in downtown Rochester by bringing the community together and improving its street-level and riverfront experience.
About Rochester Downtown Development Corporation (RDDC)
RDDC is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization founded in 1977 whose mission is to drive economic vitality in Downtown Rochester. RDDC accelerates downtown development by positioning and marketing the assets that attract businesses and investment, and it catalyzes innovative ideas that make downtown a more vibrant and inclusive community. In 2020, RDDC built The Commissary, the region’s first and only food business incubator and shared kitchen.
About the Partnership for Downtown Rochester (PDR)
Established in 2021, the Partnership for Downtown Rochester (PDR) is a public-private partnership between Empire State Development, the City of Rochester, RDDC, and ROC2025. The Partnership was created to facilitate placemaking efforts, coordinate marketing and programming, and lead the promotion of activities throughout downtown Rochester and along the Genesee Riverway.
