INDY'S WEEKLY ALTERNATIVE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTING ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

AT&T U-Verse Happy Hour

Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Four stars

Conductor Thomas Wilkins is a symphonic Pied Piper. Word got out about his engaging manner and the crowd nearly doubled for a program of “mood and movement” music that started with John Williams’ “Imperial March” from Star Wars and closed with Leonard Bernstein’s Overture to West Side Story. In both cases, familiarity bred audience participation. Think about it and you’ll move into the mood to move to the suggestive music. The first movement to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6 served as a fulcrum point between these other works. In addition to lauding Wilkins’ winning manner, an audience member commented, “Seeing people playing who are my age [under 35] makes me feel like I’m welcome.” The Four Seasons performed a pre-concert in the lobby while McKinzie hosted. June 19 is the next Happy Hour.