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The Las Vegas Philharmonic’s fireworks are back — easier said than done

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Las Vegas Philharmonic’s upcoming Fourth of July symphonic extravaganza will include fireworks, guest artists and music piped outside to Symphony Park.
Photo: Christopher DeVargas

The Details

FOURTH WITH THE PHIL
Pops concert with fireworks, July 4, 7:30 p.m., $25-$75
Family fun day in Symphony Park with fireworks, July 4, beginning at 4 p.m. (with free admission to Donald W. Reynolds Discovery Center from 5:30-7:30), $10, $5 for children 12 and younger
The Smith Center, 749-2000

Technically, the best things in life are not free; particularly when you consider what some might determine “best.” Take, for example, the Las Vegas Philharmonic’s upcoming Fourth of July symphonic extravaganza, complete with fireworks, Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” guest artists Clint Holmes and Kristen Herzenberg and music piped out to fireworks watchers in Symphony Park. Add to that a simulcast of the fireworks on a screen inside the concert hall and, suddenly, the price tag for producing the event is $200,000—a bit much for 
a 15th anniversary party (to the day).

But it’s all about location. The Las Vegas Philharmonic lost its Hills Park July 4 venue a few years ago, moving the event to Springs Preserve where, due to fire hazards, it offered only a laser show with its performance.

Now that the Smith Center is here, the time seems as good as any to reunite the fireworks with the Phil. But in seeking patrons to help fund the show, the Phil returns to its old balancing act: offer the best it can to the community while educating it that the Philharmonic’s resident status means that the orchestra gets to perform at the Smith Center—as a tenant and not a partner. It still has to rent the hall, the park and the indoor movie screen (ka-ching, ka-ching, ka-ching).

So why go to all the crazy trouble (especially with ticket prices as low as $10 for the park experience)? “We are your Las Vegas Philharmonic,” says spokeswoman Jennifer Scott. “It’s about establishing something for the community. People loved the fireworks event.”

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