Summerfest goes universal

NEVADA CITY — Music in the Mountains celebrates its 31st SummerFest season to July 3 and features concerts spanning the musical globe; from the great European masters to fresh-off-the-page contemporary works to classic rock. World-class musicians travel from around the country to join together and form the MIM Festival Orchestra under the baton of Gregory Vajda, the exciting young artistic director of MIM.

Three major classical concerts anchor the festival and feature the great works of Verdi, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Dvorak.

Beethoven’s “Third Symphony” headlines the Saturday, June 23 concert. On Sunday, July 1, piano virtuoso Xiayin Wang tackles the Tchaikovsky Piano “Concerto No. 1.”

SummerFest continues its passionate commitment to young musicians and new music with its “Wet Ink” concert on Thursday, June 28.

Newly minted Colburn School of Music graduate Caitlin Kelley will perform the world premier of Mark Vance’s first violin concerto. The concert teams MIM with the Nevada County Composers Collaborative, and will feature works by local composers Jerry Grant, Howard Hersh, and Randy McKean.

As always throughout the festival, young instrumentalists will also be invited to play “side-by-side” with the MIM Festival Orchestra.

Amadinda is one of the most original and versatile percussion groups on the planet. On Sunday, July 1 they will lead us on an exploration of the roots of all music-rhythm. Its instruments are as interesting and eclectic as their music —from Polynesian log drums to Chinese gongs, tin cans, bicycle wheels and frying pans.

This SummerFest, MIM’s outdoor pops series takes it to a whole new level with three fabulous concerts on the lawn. On Saturday, June 23, The Machine performs the music of Pink Floyd in an all out extravaganza including a laser light show and featuring the MIM Festival Orchestra.

Cirque de la Symphonie takes the stage on Saturday, June 30 when the orchestra teams up with an amazing troupe of acrobats, aerialists and clowns.

It’s a magical evening of spectacular feats performed to the music of Dvorak, Bizet, Tchaikovsky and other greats. As per tradition, the season concludes with a Tuesday, July 3 “Happy Birthday USA” concert. This year’s rousing crowd pleaser features an all-American lineup sure to hit it out of the park.

Tickets for SummerFest can be purchased online at musicinthemountains.org, in person at the MIM office at 530 Searls Ave. in Nevada City or calling the MIM box office at 530-265-6124.