Gulf Coast Symphony to Play at RiverFest
August 24th, 2007
Moss Point-- For the first time ever, the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra will be performing in Moss Point, MS. On Saturday, September 1st from 6-9pm, RiverFest will rock the Moss Point riverfront and the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra will be the main attraction at the free concert.
"We are so excited to have the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra playing for all of our citizens and visitors," said Moss Point Mayor Xavier Bishop, "Few people around here ever get the chance to hear live music performed by a professional orchestra. I believe the addition of the symphony to our RiverFest line-up will add education to the concert, making our musical festival really stand out from all other public concerts."
Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra board member John McFarland says the symphony will be performing some of its non-traditional music, and he is anticipating a grand show. "It's a great opportunity for the Symphony, the City of Moss Point and BP and other sponsors to partner together and grow RiverFest into a major event over the years. We're glad to be part of it. And I think the audience - especially those who have never heard a philharmonic orchestra before - will enjoy hearing these outstanding professional classical musicians playing non-classical music," said McFarland.
Since 1962, the symphony has been bringing quality music to South Mississippi, and since then it has grown in popularity and expertise. McFarland says the group has performed with some world-famous artists ranging from Pavoratti to Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, Julio Iglesias and Crystal Gayle.
The RiverFest will also feature other local bands playing a variety of music like gospel, jazz, and the blues and events coordinators are expecting a crowd of more than 2,000 at the inaugural event. "It's free! It's outdoors! It's on the beautiful riverfront! It'll be three hours or so of great music and fireworks! What better way to kick off your Labor Day weekend than to kick back, relax, and let us entertain you!," McFarland smiled.
For more information on the RiverFest and a complete listing of the festival's schedule, please visit www.mosspointriverfest.com or call Moss Point City Hall at 228.475.0300 and ask to speak with Jennifer Flanagan. Joining BP in hosting this inaugural RiverFest is Navigator Credit Union, AT&T, VT Halter Marine, Northrop Grumman, Chevron, Merchants & Marine Bank, MacLand Disposal, Omega Protein, Mississippi Export Railroad, Singing River Federal Credit Union, Blues Commission, and Sun Herald - with support growing daily.
Local Talent to Rock RiverFest Stage
August 20th, 2007
Moss Point, MS - On Saturday, September 1st from 6-9pm, the Moss Point River Front will be jamming to the sounds of southern gospel, soulful blues and jazz, and sophisticated classical music. But event coordinators say the free Labor Day weekend concert - RiverFest , sponsored by BP- will be showing off more than a variety of musical genres. Spectators will get to experience the caliber of musical talent grown right here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
"Some people think they have to spend lots of money and travel long distances to hear great music, but this Labor Day Weekend, it won't be the case," said Kathy Scarbrough, RiverFest Board President, "We've got some really talented musicians in our own backyard, and this year's RiverFest is going to feature them and their soulful hits."
This year's musical line-up includes gospel singing from Moss Point's Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Choir, jazz tunes from Jerry Ball Jazz Quintet with members from all over the Mississippi Gulf Coast, rhythm and blues from Pascagoula's Keith Hunter and the Hotwings, followed by a classical performance from the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra.
"This is going to be a musical extravaganza," Moss Point Mayor Xavier Bishop said, "If you enjoy the soul of the blues, the heart of jazz, and the spirit of gospel music, you won't want to miss RiverFest 2007."
Joining BP in hosting this inaugural RiverFest is Navigator Credit Union, AT&T, VT Halter Marine, Northrop Grumman, Chevron, Merchants & Marine Bank, MacLand Disposal, Omega Protein, Mississippi Export Railroad, Singing River Federal Credit Union, Blues Commission, and Sun Herald - with support growing daily.
For more information on the RiverFest and a complete listing of the festival's schedule, please visit www.mosspointriverfest.com. Or call Moss Point City Hall at 228.475.0300 and ask to speak with Jennifer Flanagan.
BP becomes RiverFest Title Sponsor
August 3rd, 2007
Moss Point, MS - "Southern, Soulful and Sophisticated" are the three guiding notes behind the inaugural RiverFest musical concert on Saturday, Sept. 1 from 6 - 9 p.m. on the City of Moss Point's Riverfront. This free Labor Day Weekend concert, sponsored by BP, will bring together the rich harmonies of Blues, Jazz, Gospel and Classical music concluding with a spectacular fireworks display.
"BP is proud to be the title sponsor for RiverFest," said Jared Yandle, operations and logistics team leader for BP. "We don't just operate here, we're members of the community and RiverFest presented an opportunity to further support economic growth in Moss Point and the recovery of a good quality of life following Hurricane Katrina."
Moss Point Mayor Xavier Bishop agrees RiverFest is an event that benefits locals and the entire Coast. "RiverFest was inspired by our vision to unite citizens and visitors through events the entire family can enjoy. In this case, we're uniting communities through music."
Southern Gospel, known for its strong American roots and ability to move the soul will be the first sounds at RiverFest as Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church of Moss Point opens this spirited concert. Following the Shiloh choir will be performances by Chickin' Daddy and the Hotwings, and an orchestra performance featuring the Gulf Coast Symphony.
"As part of our goal to make the Mississippi Gulf Coast a premier tourist destination attraction, it's important to have a good calendar of events across the Coast, and we hope to grow RiverFest into one of those big attractions," said John McFarland, RiverFest co-coordinator and marketing services director for the Sun Herald.
Joining BP in hosting this inaugural RiverFest has been Navigator Credit Union, AT&T, VT Halter Marine, Northrop Grumman, Chevron, Merchants & Marine Bank, MacLand Disposal, Omega Protein, Mississippi Export Railroad, Singing River Federal Credit Union, Blues Commission, and Sun Herald - with support growing daily.
Whether enjoying a striking view or dancing under a star-studded sky, music aficionados and fun-seekers alike will enjoy the beat of the night in one of Jackson County's most soulful cities. For more information on the RiverFest and a complete listing of the festival's schedule, please visit www.mosspointriverfest.com. Or call Moss Point City Hall at 228.475.0300 and ask to speak with Jennifer Flanagan.
Moss Point Announces 1st Annual Musical Concert - RiverFest
August 1st, 2007
Moss Point - On September 1, the melodic sounds of jazz, blues, gospel and the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra come together to fill the air along the Moss Point Riverfront. That's when RiverFest takes place in downtown Moss Point. The first-ever music festival is a joint project between the City of Moss Point and the Gulf Coast Symphony, and is being sponsored by bp, along with Navigator Credit Union and other local businesses.
Moss Point Mayor Xavier Bishop said RiverFest is an event that benefits the entire Coast. "It gives the locals something extra to do Labor Day weekend and it gives visitors to the Coast something else to do in addition to gaming."
Festivities will run from 6 -9pm and will feature the music of the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Gospel Choir and Keith Hunter & the Hotwings. The Gulf Coast Symphony will end the show with a medley of music that ranges from Bach to rock. The night will end with a dazzling array of fireworks. Bishop said he believes the event will become a Gulf Coast classic, drawing people from all over the country.
"This is our first year so we're starting out with a small but powerful lineup of music," he said. "In the future we plan to feature a variety of music styles from blues to blue grass and from reggae to rai."
Event coordinators anticipate upwards of 2,000 music lovers to fill Moss Point's Riverfront the day of the event. RiverFest committee Chairwoman, Kathy Scarbrough is excited about the concert. She believes this is the beginning of something really special.
"We're putting together quite a show this year," she said, "but we see RiverFest becoming a signature event for the entire southeast because of the diversity of music that will become its trademark. Couple that with the event's easy access and the gorgeous scenery and you have the makings of something really big and worth traveling long distances to see."
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