Blind Boys of Alabama Headline Flights and Sounds Summer Festival at the Great Park

Blind Boys of Alabama Headline Flights and Sounds Summer Festival at the Great Park

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- From humble churches to grand concert halls, the world-renowned Blind Boys of Alabama have delighted audiences for more than 70 years. This weekend, they'll bring their soulful mix of gospel and blues to the Orange County Great Park, as part of the Flights and Sounds Summer Festival.

The weekend of Americana music kicks off Friday with locals Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys as they rock the Park with some good 'ol country, R&B and rockabilly. Sandy has appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and at the Grand Ole Opry, and this Friday September 10th, they'll be under the stars at the Great Park. Get there at 7:30 p.m. to learn the two-step with dance instructors ready to get you moving.

On Saturday, September 11th, the Great Park is honored to present the six time Grammy Award Winning Blind Boys of Alabama featuring gospel, blues, soul and funk music. This February, they performed at the White House; this Saturday, September 11th the Orange County Great Park is proud to present their music of hope and joy.

"We invite everyone to come enjoy these vibrant performances that reflect the rich music of America," said Larry Agran, Chair, Orange County Great Park Corporation. "The Great Park will celebrate the traditions of American music at the Flights and Sounds Summer Festival."

Saturday night concerts begin at 8:00 p.m. Before the Saturday shows, come to the Great Park Comedy Corner at 7:00 p.m. and enjoy local comedians Tom Clark with special guests Chris Edwards and Jonny Loquasto.

Upcoming 2010 summer performers include a wide variety of first-rate artists, featuring local surfing champion and artist Donavon Frankenreiter, Jerry Mandel Swinging the Standards Jazz Band and Waltz Me: A Night in Vienna.

Flights and Sounds Summer Festival is presented by the Orange County Great Park Corporation in partnership with the Irvine Barclay Theatre. Concertgoers can watch the show from chairs provided in a temporary concert pavilion or bring their own chairs to listen to the music from the Great Park Lawn. Admission to the Flights and Sounds Summer Festival dance and concert series is free, and parking is just $10.

Before each performance, Hangar 244 is transformed into the Hangar Cafe, a lounge-like dining area serving up everything from snacks to full dinners, along with refreshments. The Orange County Great Park is located off the 405 or 5 Freeways at Sand Canyon and Marine Way in Irvine.

The Orange County Great Park with its 1,347-acre master plan is the focal point of the redevelopment of the 4,700-acre former Marine Corps Air Station, El Toro. The Great Park is currently built out to 27.5 acres and includes an iconic tethered helium balloon that rises 400 feet in the air, providing an aerial view of Park development. A $65.5 million development plan to expand the Park to 200 acres is currently underway. The plan will build out a core section of the Park for the most immediate and wide-ranging public benefit, including a sports park, agricultural area and an art and culture exhibition space.

For the entire festival line-up and more information, go to www.ocgp.org

Source: Orange County Great Park Corporation

CONTACT: Jenn Starnes, +1-949-724-6574, for Orange County Great Park
Corporation

Web Site: http://www.ocgp.org/

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