Starry Nights concerts return in April to Metro Park with Styx, 'Wicked' star
Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto.
Starry Nights, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra's outdoor concert series, returns this spring with two shows at Metropolitan Park.
Styx is scheduled to play with the symphony on Saturday, April 10, and Broadway performer Idina Menzel is slated for Saturday, April 24.
Starry Nights was a long-running series, where the symphony would welcome guests for outdoor performances, but the series was discontinued. It was to resume last May with a performance by country star Leann Rimes, but Rimes had to cancel due to throat problems.
Styx came out of Chicago to become one of the biggest bands in rock music in the late 1970s and early '80s. "Blue Collar Man," "Renegade," "Fooling Yourself," "Crystal Ball" and "Come Sail Away" are still staples of classic rock radio.
Menzel won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Elphaba in the Broadway hit "Wicked." She also has an album, "I Stand," and is scheduled to appear this spring on "Glee."
Tickets for both shows go on sale today through www. makeascenedowntown.com or by phone at (904) 354-5547. Tickets are $15 on the lawn, $35 for "preferred seating" and $50 for "VIP table seating."
http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/music/2010-03-04/story/starry_nights_concerts_return_in_april_to_metro_park_with_styx_
they have, like, 2 good songs.
How does Jacksonville always manage to score the absolute worst of the 70s and 80s bands for these events? Idina Menzel is a positive change from the Metropolitan Park norm, however.
Menzel was phenomenal in Wicked
Quote from: Miss Fixit on March 04, 2010, 03:14:17 PM
How does Jacksonville always manage to score the absolute worst of the 70s and 80s bands for these events?
Because most of them sell well I think. Pretty sad.
Quote from: fsu813 on March 04, 2010, 03:12:15 PM
they have, like, 2 good songs.
Their Greatest Hits album might say otherwise
just because a song shows up on a greatest hits album doesn't mean it is a good song, but then again it is in the eyes (ears) of the beholder.
Quote from: JaxNative68 on March 04, 2010, 03:56:43 PM
just because a song shows up on a greatest hits album doesn't mean it is a good song
Ray Parker Jr's Greatest Hits says otherwise.
Quote from: JaxNative68 on March 04, 2010, 03:56:43 PM
just because a song shows up on a greatest hits album doesn't mean it is a good song, but then again it is in the eyes (ears) of the beholder.
exactly my point...I liked Styx quite a bit in the early 1980s
^^ OH COME ON NOW!!!!!! Your going to discredit Lady "95?
I liked Renegade as a drinking song when I was in college.
I have to admit, although I hate to, Styx Paradise Theater was one of my first albums, or maybe it was 8-track, I purchased (as I hang my head in shame at my admission)
Is there a FAQ on the site that shows how to embed videos in a post?
Regardless, nothing beats Cartman singing Come Sail Away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOWK7Tam01M
I can't listen to the original anymore.
Quote from: JaxNative68 on March 04, 2010, 04:34:23 PM
I have to admit, although I hate to, Styx Paradise Theater was one of my first albums, or maybe it was 8-track, I purchased (as I hang my head in shame at my admission)
I'm with you - and think I still HAVE that album somewhere. I did like Too Much Time on My Hands back in those days.
Stephen - Babe? - Really? Yuck.
Quote from: subro on March 04, 2010, 04:44:27 PM
Regardless, nothing beats Cartman singing Come Sail Away.
What about Cartman singing "I Don't Want To Wait" with modified lyrics about his Trapper Keeper?
...Styx is still alive?
Quotethey have, like, 2 good songs.
Good, I'll be there and won't have to worry about seeing you there. Let all the fun people attend.
uriah heep still around?
I preferred the seventies stuff.
Most popular rock bands/acts lost thier way in the eighties. ZZ Top comes to mind, along with Elton John and Billy Joel.
Mr Roboto was bloody awful.
I am fully in support of this thread getting hijacked.
Cartman singing 'Poker Face' by lady gaga is my favorite. It is worlds better than the original version.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WnCdf04ba0&feature=related
I think Procol Harum will be playing a Met Park the month after Styx :)
Quoteuriah heep still around?
Easy Livin... Baybee! 8)
I wish I were sailing away.
I saw Styx at Florida Theatre in 1995 on Valentine's Day. Took a date there. She was more into country(even wore cowboy boots to the concert), and didn't really have the best of time as it really wasnt her scene. I had a blast though ;D
Quote from: BridgeTroll on March 05, 2010, 05:39:42 PM
Quoteuriah heep still around?
Easy Livin... Baybee! 8)runnin', hidin', losin', cryin'
nothing left to save
"Styx is the greatest American rock band and the only reason the critics never say so is because they're all cynical a**h****."
Big Daddy
Thanks FSU813 for posting the information about Starry Nights-we are excited to bring the tradition back! Some of you may remember that we planned to do this last year with the Symphony and Leanne Rimes but she had to cancel due to an illness. Regardless, we are thrilled to highlight our talented Symphony with these performers this year.
Also, it is worth mentioning that we are having a contest for the best table decorations at each concert. Back in the day, people would go all out to decorate their tables for prizes. We can't wait to see what great ideas people bring to their tables (no pun intended.) We hope to see an MetroJax-themed table as well! I know there are plenty of creative folks here that could pull it off so let's hear some of your ideas!
Also, catered meals can be pre-ordered through TAG (Take Away Gourmet) and one of our downtown favorites, Chew Restaurant or you can bring your own picnic or purchase food and beverages on site from local vendors. For complete info and updates, visit www.makeascenedowntown.com (http://www.makeascenedowntown.com)
P.S. Good seeing you today Steven!
Anyone else attend Styx last night?
We had 10 people there, and it was great to see so many people of Jacksonville. We took the water taxi from the Landing, apparently we were the minority as we left seeing all the cars along Bay street, oh well. We arrived, and found a great spot. The JSO was fantastic, playing Aaron Copeland's Fanfare for the Common Man as their opening track, then more Copeland with Billy the Kid as the next, then with some movie themes, I liked their rendition of the title track from 1941.
Styx then came onto the scene and while we all have favorites, they sounded great, Tommy Shaw was a great entertainer and performer. The only songs we left hoping for were, some Damn Yankees, as well as Lady, and Mr. Roboto. I especially liked too much time on my hands. I thought of that song as we walked out and Mayor Peyton and his entourage passed us on their way to their boat.
Great night. Mr. Mayor, we need more shows at Met Park! Give us these as your legacy!
The concert was so much fun and we have received so many great comments. Pics coming soon!
Went with my dad and had a great time. Neither one of us are big Styx fans (we both agreed seeing The Moody Blues w/ the Jax Sympony would have been pretty cool) but it was still fun with a really great atmosphere. I was surprised both at the size of the crowd and the diversity in ages and income brackets. I wish I could go to next weekend's performance too.
My only complaint was regarding the concessions. There was only one tent serving food and they had their hands full. I think I waited in line for about 45mins for a cheeseburger. However, I noticed a lot of people had brought their own food which seemed to be a smart move. I'll have to keep that in mind for next time.
Hi Raindoggie,
Unlike our larger concerts and festivals where we have many food vendors, one of the unique things about this concert is that people were encouraged to being picnic baskets with their own food and beverages as many people chose to do. The table decorations will pretty amazing too! Attendees also had the option to order food ahead of time and pick up at the park from TAG (catered by local chef Matthew Medure) or Chew Restaurant (a wonderful downtown eatery).
Thanks for your comments about the vendors. We will take them into consideration when planning the April 24th concert with Idina Menzel (who appeared on Glee tonight!) and the Jacksonville Symphony to make the event enjoyable for everyone. In addition, we are thrilled about the many positive comments we have received thus far and that this tradition has been brought back to Jacksonville as a unique event that so many have missed. We hope to see everyone again in two weeks at Metropolitan Park for another beautiful night of great music under the stars!
We brought our own food, and did not have to endure the lines for food. Our friend, who did not like anything his wife brought, waited an hour for a hamburger.