Derek Hough and Emma Slater Dance under the Stars at Santa Anita with Cal Phil

It was Cal Phil weekend filled with singing, dancing and surprises that special guest award-winning dancer, Emmy nominated choreographer, musician and Dancing With The Stars sensation Derek Hough, Maestro Victor Vener, the acclaimed orchestra and thousands of concert-goers will not soon forget.
Dance Fever, the third of a five concert summer series, drew more than 4000 people on Saturday evening at Festival on the Green at Santa Anita Race Track, presented by Westfield Santa Anita, and another 1900 people Sunday afternoon at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
“It was magical,” said Vener of the weekend that included multiple standing ovations and encores. “Cal Phil was honored to share our stage with the immensely talented Derek Hough as he made his worldwide debut singing with a professional symphony. He is a phenomenal choreographer and dancer and now people know he is also a gifted singer.”
Derek and his dance partner Emma Slater, a member of the Dancing With The Stars Dance Troupe, wowed when they performed a powerful Paso Doblé and high-energy Jive, even dancing at times not only among the audience but with an audience member. During Sunday’s performance, Derek even danced on stage with Cal Phil Violinist Sabine Vener to everyone’s delight.
The only four-time champion of the hit ABC television show and former member of the Ballas Hough Band, Derek made history again this past weekend with his worldwide symphonic singing debut. Accompanied by the acclaimed orchestra, Derek sang the Oscar winning song Falling Slowly along with duet partner BC Jean, a popular singer-songwriter who co-wrote Beyonce’s If I Were A Boy. Derek then sang, solo, the ever-popular classic Feeling Good.
The fun-fueled concert also included tributes to Elvis, Abba and Michael Jackson as well as DanceoftheSevenVeils from Salomé, Romeo and Juliet from Procofiev, Hava Nagila and Ritual Fire Dance.
Cal Phil’s summer season continues with Rodgers, Hammerstein and Gershwin on Saturday August 10, 2013 and August 11, 2013. The acclaimed orchestra is joined by in-demand special guests, sensational Broadway stars Kim Huber and James Barbour and mesmerizing pianist Bryan Pezzone. The spectacular San Gabriel Mountains will come alive with the sound of sensational music including highlights from such classics as Oklahoma!, Sound Of Music, South Pacific and Carousel, as well as performances of Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue and An American in Paris.
Cal Phil will deliver an incomparable season finale with Les Miz and Bernstein on Saturday August 24, 2013 and Sunday August 25, 2013. Singers Randal Keith and Melissa Lyons, stars of Les Misérables on Broadway and the National Tour, join Cal Phil and the Cal Phil Chorale in an enthralling season finale that features powerful performances from selections of Les Miz and Candide as well as On The Town and Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.
As always, fans have two opportunities to experience the concert.
Gates open Saturday evening for Festival on the Green at Santa Anita Race Track at 5:30pm for dining, plus live jazz and a host of pre-concert family friendly activities. Concerts begin at 7:30pm. Table and lawn seating on the plush green grass of Santa Anita Race Track’s infield concert lawn are available, complete with the area’s best unobstructed view of the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains.
For those who prefer an indoor concert experience, Cal Phil performs Sunday matinees at the incomparable Walt Disney Concert Hall. Celebrating its 10th anniversary at Los Angeles’ premier music venue, Cal Phil at Walt Disney Concert Hall Sunday performances start at 2:00pm, with the popular pre-concert Talks with the Maestro beginning at 1:00pm.
To purchase tickets for Festival on the Green at Santa Anita Race Track, call 626.300.8200 or visit www.calphil.org.
Tickets for Cal Phil at Walt Disney Concert Hall are available for purchase through Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

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