The romantic “Manhã de Carnaval” from “Black Orpheus,” a jazz set inspired by Mancini’s “Days of Wine and Roses,” a duet from Bizet’s opera “The Pearl Fishers”: They’re among the highlights of the music-and-wine event known as the Summer Picnic, a benefit for the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra on Friday, Aug. 5.
The setting for the 6 p.m. supper is Camaraderie Cellars, 330 Benson Road on the west side of Port Angeles, and the performers are all over the world music map.
Jazz pianist and composer Linda Dowdell of Sequim will pair with upright bass man Ted Enderle for the “Day of Wine and Roses” set. Then Dowdell will join cellist Marlene Moore for some classical music and — in a rare occurrence — she’ll accompany Port Angeles Symphony maestro Jonathan Pasternack on “Manhã de Carnaval,” from the Brazilian composer Luiz Bonfá.
Pasternack, who soon will begin his second season as music director and conductor of the orchestra, also is a trombonist. A few years ago, when he was a Brooklyn, N.Y.-born boy of 16, he won a trombone scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music. He went on to transfer to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he studied astronomy, philosophy, political science — and music, as he founded and led the MIT Chamber Orchestra.
The symphony’s Summer Picnic, its seventh annual at Camaraderie Cellars, also will have local singers Joel Yelland and Robin Reed offering a song from “The Pearl Fishers,” an opera set in Sri Lanka.
Yet another part of the evening: Fiddler Kristin Smith and her concertina-playing husband Otto Smith of Port Townsend will bring a short set of music fresh from July’s Festival of American Fiddle Tunes at Fort Worden State Park.
“We’ll play some Brazilian (tunes) and some klezmer music,” said Kristin Smith, a longtime member of the symphony. She and her husband also plan on stirring in some of the Quebecois sound from French Canada — learned at the festival.
“It’s great to have some new material,” she said. “Can’t wait to share it.”
Camaraderie’s Don and Vicki Corson will serve a light picnic dinner and pour their wines including the new Rhapsody in Red II, blended especially for the symphony.
This is an important fundraiser for the Port Angeles Symphony, so the $75 per person tickets, which include the picnic, wine and music, benefit the orchestra’s concerts and programs. More than half of the symphony’s budget comes from events such as this.
The symphony is, above all, a community orchestra, Pasternack added. So for his part, he wants to welcome newcomers to the picnic along with longtime supporters.
With its relaxed atmosphere and garden setting, this is a highlight of the summer for Camaraderie co-owner Vicki Corson.
“In the true sense of the word camaraderie, it’s good friendships, good music, good wine and good food around the patio,” she said.
To make reservations, call the Port Angeles Symphony office at 457-5579 and for more information about the Summer Picnic and the forthcoming season of concerts, email PASymphony@olypen.com, find the symphony on Facebook and Instagram or visit the orchestra’s website, www.PortAngelesSymphony.org.
