News, Music, Santa Monica

New West Symphony Offers Free Tickets To Government Shutdown Workers

Posted Oct. 5, 2013, 9:12 am

Brenton Garen / Editor-in-Chief

As the government shutdown continues, New West Symphony will offer 100 complimentary tickets to its concerts this weekend to those government workers who have been furloughed or otherwise impacted by the shutdown.

“While politics divide, music unites and it is the job of cultural institutions to do our part in reaching out to those in need," said Executive Director Natalia Staneva. "Music has soothing qualities that can help those impacted escape reality for an evening. It is our way to give back.”

New West Symphony opens the season this weekend featuring acclaimed violinist Sarah Chang, in her New West Symphony debut with three performances of Max Bruch’s Concerto No. 1 in G Minor for Violin & Orchestra, Opus 26.

New West Symphony music director Marcelo Lehninger will conduct three performances of this opening concert, which also includes Ludwig van Beethoven’s Overture to Egmont, Cuban Overture by George Gershwin, Two Tangos by Astor Piazzolla and Four Dances from Estancia by Alberto Ginastera.

The first performance took place Friday at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center. The program will be repeated tonight at 8 pm at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

The weekend's third and final performance will be held Sunday, Oct. 6, at 4 pm at Santa Monica’s Barnum Hall, located at 601 Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica.

For tickets, call 866.776.8400 and mention “Government shutdown” to get the tickets. Tickets are not available at the box offices.

For more information about the symphony, visit newwestsymphony.org.