Foxfan

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So who else is in town today? Pre-concert drinks anyone?

Liberty Bell in the historic area museum (east of downtown, closer to the river). Some like to check out all the Rocky locations (steps of City Hall, etc). Must eats would be an authentic cheesesteak at Geno's (or Pat's) just south of downtown. Note on this: they like taking orders as quickly as possible. Have cash on hand and simply indicate the type of cheese you want on it (American, provolone, CheezWiz) and with/without onions. For shopping, PA has no sales tax on clothes (up to $300 I think). Nearby Delaware has no sales tax on anything. I'd be up for a pre-concert meetup as will of other JWFanners care to join?

I'll be there in Philly on April 19th. Will likely even self-quarantine starting this Friday the 8th (can WFH the week before Easter) to make damn sure the 'rona won't make me miss this! My last Williams concert was at Tanglewood in August 2019 almost three years ago, and I was unable to make it to the 2021 BSO concerts due to the US land border with Canada remaining closed until November. Who else plans to be there? Maybe we can arrange a JWFan pre-concert dinner like the good old days in Boston?

I’m at the Tanglewood cafe right now for those already here. I’ll go to the main gate gift shop (there’s a place for drinks next to it too) for 7:30.

I’d love to meet up! How about outside the main gate gift shop (there are two) for 7:30 before the show?

I'm coming on Saturday the 24th! A new batch of tickets went on sale last Sunday, for those now looking to attend. As mentioned, there is a cafeteria on the Tanglewood grounds, though a favourite place of mine is a seafood restaurant called the Salmon Run in Lee, MA. I might go there for dinner or lunch - I haven't decided yet if I'm attending the Beethoven's 9th rehearsal in the morning. I'd love a JWFAN meetup! How many are coming in total?

That's what I'm thinking. Or he knew ahead of time he would be away on the 23rd and gave it all on the 7th to make up for it. Shame the BSO didn't announce it ahead of time... there's even a Boston Pops Facebook post on July 9th that still listed Williams as a conductor for the 23rd. Now I'll try to exchange my ticket for August 24 if one becomes available.

Actually, no. Back in January/February he was listed as "host" or "special guest" for July 7 and August 24, and "conductor" for July 23rd only, which is why I picked that date to go.

Bad news... looks like John Williams has been taken off the roster for Tanglewood on Parade July 23rd. https://www.bso.org/Performance/Detail/100171?fbclid=IwAR3TPKQYd1L03T1AZzdFslyLjlvzEfK8ogATbJsirKSk2vkS952UDYuzrAs It was the only concert I was scheduled to attend this year, not expecting him to conduct on July 7th or August 24. I now regret not going last Sunday!

Albany, NY is the closest city to Tanglewood, with regular Greyhound bus and Amtrak rail service to New York City. If you have a driving license, you can rent a car in Albany for just one day to get to Tanglewood and back (hotels are also much cheaper there than in the Berkshires as well).

The program is not complete yet. There are some Pops selections as well (one year KL conducted the JFK suite), and the concert ends with both the TMC (student) orchestra joining forces with the BSO for a supersized rendition of Tchaikovsky's 1812 overture, with live canons on the lawn.

The CETK concert arrangement features an organ part near the beginning. I'm also hoping he'll use organ (and choir) for an epic, final sendoff at the end of the Star Wars Episode 9 End Credits, like David Arnold did for the end of Independence Day!

Yep.. I saw this just in time for the Tanglewood on sale date yesterday. Got my ticket for Tanglewood on Parade, the only concert of 2019 where Maestro Williams is confirmed to conduct at least one or two pieces. Wishing him all the best for his recovery, and Star Wars 9!