BRADENTON BEACH – Tickets are on sale for the Sixth Annual Symphony on the Sand concert and gourmet food event at Coquina Beach on Saturday, Nov. 10. Sponsorship opportunities are also still available.
Taking place at Coquina Gulfside Park, 2650 Gulf Dr. in Bradenton Beach, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., the open-air symphony concert on the beach will feature the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra (AMICCO) and vocal soloists Michelle Giglio, Ashley Thunder, Russell Andrade, and Daniel Hoffman.
“This year we’re going to do some great uplifting pieces. We’re going to do a bit of Mama Mia, and then we’re going to do some disco dance tunes, so there’ll be a lot of dancing. And we always have the patriotic pieces for our warriors, which we celebrate because it is Veterans Day weekend,” event chair Jeanie Pickwick said.
Regarding the dress code, Pickwick said, “You can dress up if you want, and a lot of people do but wear flip-flops because we are right on the beach in the sand. The tables and chairs and the general admission area where you bring your own chairs are right in the sand, so wear something you’ll be comfortable walking in.”
Those who purchase $125 tickets will be treated to salad, small plate entrée selections provided by participating restaurants, dessert, and complimentary fine wine and select beers.
The Beach|House, The Lazy Lobster of Longboat, Harry’s Continental Kitchens, Hometown Desserts and the Coquina Cafe at Coquina Beach are this year’s featured restaurants.
Tickets for this rain or shine event can be purchased online at www.SymphonyOnTheSand.com, and Pickwick advises folks to purchase their tickets early. Online tickets will be available until noon on Friday, Nov. 9. If not sold out, tickets will also be available at the door on the day of the event.
Those with $50 tickets receive a chair for the concert and two drink vouchers, but no food. Those with $20 tickets can bring their own chairs or blankets and sit in the roped-off area near the stage. Attendees with $50 or $20 tickets can purchase concessionaire food and purchase drinks at the cash bar. Bringing your own alcohol onto the beach is prohibited.
There will be plenty of free parking at Coquina Beach, and the free Island-wide trolleys will be running before and after the concert.
Pickwick began serving as the Symphony on the Sand event chair prior to the second annual outdoor concert.
“I really believe in it. I had been the executive director for AMICCO for over 10 years. I stepped down from that position, but I still handle this one event for the organization.
“It’s such a great event and we love doing it. It brings a lot of attention to the talent that we have in our area and it’s a great community outreach. It’s an honor to do it,” Pickwick said.
Manatee County is contributing $30,000 to help cover the costs of the stage, sound, and lighting, and what’s left will help pay the musicians’ stipends. Proceeds from the event will benefit AIMCCO’s youth and outreach programs.
Pickwick is still seeking additional event sponsors. Interested sponsors or those seeking additional event information can contact her by email at info@amicco.org or call 941-795-2370.
