Cal Phil best non-profit

The California Philharmonic has been named 2011 Best Local Non-Profit for the first time, one of several awards in multiple categories of Pasadena Weekly’s 2011 Best of Pasadena Reader’s Poll, according to an announcement today by CalPhil. CalPhil Maestro Victor Vener won 2011 Best Local Personality and 2011 Best Local Musician. CalPhil, which has played for many years each summer at the Arboretum in Arcadia, is moving to Santa Anita Park’s infield next summer. “We are thrilled and honored to be recognized by our community and its residents,” said Maestro Victor Vener. “These are exciting times at Cal Phil and we are so proud to share them with our community and the loyal fans that we continually strive to entertain and enlighten through our music. We have thrived for more than 15 years and look forward to the many years to come.”

“Odds are on a wildly winning 2012 season for Cal Phil, Santa Anita Park and our long time and ever-expanding audience,” continued Vener who also received Best Local Musician honors in 2008 and 2009 and Best Local Personality in 2007.

Cal Phil’s 2012 Festival on the Green concert series at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday evenings will include pre-concert family friendly activities including pony rides, a musical instrument petting zoo and playground for the kids beginning at 5:30pm.

The 2012 five-concert Festival on the Green series begins Saturday June 30 and continues on July 14, July 28, August 11 and August 25. Sunday matinees of the Saturday evening concerts take place at the incomparable Walt Disney Concert Hall.

The schedule:

BEETHOVEN AND THE MOVIES – Hollywood’s best music including Beethoven: Ode to Joy from Symphony 9; Star Wars, Amistad, Saving Private Ryan, Far and Away, James Bond Themes, Dances With Wolves

CARMEN ON BROADWAY – From musical theatre to opera featuring Man Of La Mancha, Chicago, Wicked, Le Miz, Miss Saigon, Beauty and the Beast, Lion King, Carmen, Carmina Burana

CENTER STAGE – Theatrical classics from stage, screen and more including King & I, Carousel, Guys and Dolls, Gigi; Tchaikovsky: Symphony No.4; Cole Porter Songs, Grieg: Piano Concerto

MASTERS OF MUSIC – The grandest music ever written including Berlioz: Symphony Fantastique; Strauss: Don Juan; Glinka: Russian and Ludmilla Overture

WORLD TOUR – A musical journey around the globe featuring Copland: Billy The Kid and Rodeo; Mussorgsky: Night on Bald Mountain; Respighi: Pines of Rome

With table and lawn seating on the plush green grass of the infield and the area’s best unobstructed view of the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Anita Park is the perfect backdrop to the great music performed by the California Philharmonic under the masterful direction of Maestro Victor Vener.

Cal Phil’s new summer home also offers ample and convenient onsite parking to accommodate every attendee, plentiful permanent restrooms and four full bars offering not only beer and wine but premium spirits. There will also be live video of the performance on jumbo video screens.

Attendees are allowed to bring their own picnic or fine bottle of wine, and Santa Anita Park’s award-winning chefs will prepare a wide range of delicious dishes available for concert patrons to purchase on site.

Continuing Cal Phil’s Festival on the Green tradition, there will also be live jazz music pre-concert and, something new, post-concert. The live music will continue into the evening during the public after party where concert-goers will have the opportunity to speak with the Maestro and featured performers.