Picnic With the Pops 2024: Violent Femmes, Nas to perform in Columbus Symphony's series
Pop-punk band Violent Femmes and rapper Nas are among the artists set to perform in the Columbus Symphony's annual 2024 Nationwide Picnic with the Pops summer concert series set for June 15 through July 27.
Led by CSO Principal Pops Conductor Stuart Chafetz, the series is held at the Columbus Bicentennial Pavilion in the John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons, East Rich and South High streets. Gates will open at 6 p.m. Concerts will begin at 8 p.m.
Picnic With the Pops will begin June 15 with "Generation Radio," starring Jason Scheff, lead singer of the band Chicago and Columbus native Jay Demarcus, lead singer and keyboard player for Rascal Flatts. The two join to play their hit songs along with classic hits from Journey, Tom Petty and others.
Other concerts in the series will include:
Violent Femmes, June 22
Platinum-selling, folk rock band Violent Femmes joins the Columbus Symphony to celebrate their ground-breaking sound on cult classic hits like “Add it Up,” “Blister in the Sun,” “Kiss Off,” “Gone Daddy Gone,” “American Music,” and “Gimme the Car.”
Patriotic Pops — A Gershwin Celebration, June 29
The symphony will celebrate the holiday with a tribute to George Gershwin’s hits including a special performance of “Rhapsody in Blue,” which marks its 100th anniversary in 2024. Enjoy your favorite patriotic melodies, an appearance by a U.S. Color Guard, a military branch recognition, and a flyover by members of the Cincinnati Warbirds, culminating in a fireworks display.
Windborne: The Music of Led Zeppelin, July 6 (conductor to be announced)
This show features a vast array of songs from the Led Zeppelin catalog, including “Kashmir,” “Black Dog,” “Good Times, Bad Times,” “All of My Love,” and of course, “Stairway to Heaven.” Get ready to rock!
Nas, July 13
Nas is one of New York City’s leading rap/hip-hop voices with a self-empowered swagger that has endeared him to critics and fans alike. This summer, he will team up with the Columbus Symphony on a symphonic rendition of "Illmatic," one of the most revered albums in hip-hop history.
Cody Fry, July 20
Conducted by Gary Fry, Grammy nominee and "American Idol" finalist Cody Fry brings his talents and genre-bending music to the stage. His popular musical fusions and orchestrations have made him a viral sensation surpassing 200 million global streams on TikTok and attracting a devout audience and fan base.
Picnic With the Pops will conclude with its traditional performance by the Ohio State University Marching Band on July 26-27. Conducted by Stuart Chafetz and Christopher Hoch, the band will pay tribute to the Buckeyes and the upcoming season, featuring the crowd's favorite fight songs topped off with fireworks.
Tickets for Picnic With the Pops go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday and can be purchased in-person at the CBUSArts Ticket Center, 39 E. State St., online at www.PicnicWithThePops.com or CBUSArts.com or by phone at 614-469-0939.
General admission lawn tickets cost $36.75-$52.50 in advance or at the gate. Lawn tickets for children 3-12 years old $10.50-15.75. Children 2 and younger are free. Full tables and single table seats are available for purchase from $63-$1,157. For more information call 614-469-0939.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Symphony announces 2024 Picnic with the Pops concert series
