10/24,25: THE AUSTIN SYMPHONY OPENS AN EXPANDED POPS SERIES WITH MULTIPLE GRAMMY WINNERS: THE 5th DIMENSION

WHO: The 5th Dimension with the Austin Symphony Orchestra WHEN: October 24th & 25th, 2003 & 8:00 p.m. WHERE: Riverbend Centre, Austin, TX TICKETS: $35 & $20

AUSTIN, TX - This October 24th & 25th, the Austin Symphony brings one of the most popular singing groups in the world to town: The 5th Dimension. The multiple Grammy Award winning Pops guest artists will move audiences with an evening of soulful sounds and an unbelievable collection of chart topping hits. The 5th Dimension will deliver their renowned brand of music with their hits such as Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In, Up, Up, and Away, One Less Bell to Answer, Wedding Bell Blues, Stoned Soul Picnic, Go Where You Wanna Go, (Last Night) I Didn't Get To Sleep At All, and many more. In addition to backing The 5th Dimension, the Austin Symphony, under the baton of Maestro Peter Bay, will perform some pops favorites before the guest artists take the stage.

Formed as The Versatiles in 1965, the slick quintet changed its name at the request of Johnny Rivers, who had just signed them to his brand new label, Soul City. Up-and-coming songwriter Jimmy Webb supplied the group with their first pop smash Up, Up and Away, in 1967, and the group's monumental rise mirrored the song's high-flying imagery. Another prolific composer, Laura Nyro, penned several mega-hits for the 5th Dimension, notably Stoned Soul Picnic and Wedding Bell Blues, but their biggest seller hailed from the groundbreaking musical Hair. The Grammy-winning Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In held down the number one slot on the pop lists for six weeks in 1969. Though the 5th Dimension didn't sound anything like other R&B groups of the time, their soaring, lighter-than-air harmonic blend had a very broad appeal with pop audiences while still as soulful as their contemporaries. Their chemistry was amazing and resulted in numerous hits well into the 70s.

The Sarah and Ernest Butler Pops Series has been expanded this year from the traditional Holiday and Promenade Pops in December and May respectively. The October Pops and February Pops (featuring Johnny Rivers) will give central Texans two more chances to enjoy some of their favorite entertainers. These two new concerts will be held at the Riverbend Centre and will have theatre seating rather than tables.

Online tickets and gift certificates at http://www.austinsymphony.org where you will also discover seating maps, price options and a wealth of concert information. Patrons have a choice of two seating areas:
Premiere Seating for $35 per seat or Preferred Seating for $20. You can also purchase tickets at the Symphony Box Office (Mon. -- Fri., 9-5), 11th and Red River or call 476-6064 or 1-888-4-MAESTRO (toll-free).

All programs, artists, and dates are subject to change.

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