In December, West Virginia’s Huntington Symphony Orchestra will “be playing for the first time in a galaxy not so far away. It’s called the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” writes Dave Lavender in Sunday’s (6/30) Herald-Dispatch (WV). “Although the HSO has been around in some form since the 1930s, the 55-member-strong orchestra … has somehow never played the historic 1931-built Paramount Arts Center in Ashland. That changes come Saturday, Dec. 7 when the HSO and the Paramount team up to host a … ‘Star Wars’ … concert…. The idea to do the concert … came from a local ‘Star Wars’ and symphonic music fan who brought and sold the idea to both entities … San Diego, California, native Ashland businessman Benjamin Hawkey…. ‘I am just excited to be a part of it,’ said the 33-year-old Hawkey…. Hawkey has been helping sell sponsorships and to get other community businesses and entities on board [including] local ‘Star Wars’ cosplay groups, local comic shops and other kindred spirits who love sci-fi and music…. ‘We’re bringing two of the Tri-State’s crown jewels together in one performance,’ [Paramount Executive Director Holly] Canfield said.”
Posted July 3, 2019
