Symphony on the Sand set for Saturday on Anna Maria Island

BRADENTON BEACH -- Symphony on the Sand will return to Anna Maria Island from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

The musical and gourmet event, now in its third year, will feature the 45-piece Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra performing classical and contemporary music for dining guests at Coquina Gulfside Park, 2650 Gulf Drive, Bradenton Beach.

The event is part of the ninth annual artsHOP organized by Cultural Connections, a nonprofit established in 2008 to promote, support and act as an advocate for art and culture on the island and provide guid

ance and counsel to cultural-related businesses and organizations.

"It's just going to be great," said AMICCO Executive Director Jeanie Pickwick, who also serves as chairwoman of Symphony on the Sand. "We have everything from classical music to beautiful operas and we're doing some pop, which we always do -- including some popular works by Freddie Mercury (of the rock band Queen) and some Beatles."

Pickwick said Maestro Alfred Gershfeld will lead the symphonic orchestra through some patriotic American songs and music by Simon & Garfunkel.

Those who attended the last two Symphony on the Sand events will notice the program's layout this year is different. Pickwick said the last two events had the musicians' backs to the Gulf of Mexico, which caused people to face the sun during performances.

"This year, we've changed it so that the bandshell or the big stage will be at the north end of Coquina Beach and the chairs will be laid out south so that they won't be looking into the sun," she said. "They'll have the opportunity and time for sunset photographs."

Emcees for the evening are Bay News 9 anchorman Al Ruechel and Susan Giles Wantuck, an on-air personality from classical music station WSMR 89.1.

Paying customers will sit within a perimeter and savor small plates offered by restaurateurs such as the Anna Maria Oyster Bar, BeachHouse Restaurant, Coquina Cafe and the Lazy Lobster, plus beer and wine.

The event is open to the public, who can sit outside the perimeter and still enjoy the music.

"Tickets are going briskly. I have very few left," Pickwick said. She expects between 1,000 and 1,500 people to attend.

"I'm expecting it to be a sellout," Pickwick said.

Nancy Ambrose of the event committee said she and the team are excited.

"The program is going to be dynamite. We're doing Broadway tunes and we have a dance score for people to dance," she said. "The weather's supposed to be great -- 78 and sunny -- so we couldn't ask for a better day."

Information: Call 941-795-2370 or go to annamariaislandchamber.org.

Amaris Castillo, law enforcement/island reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7051. Follow her on Twitter @AmarisCastillo.

This story was originally published November 11, 2015 at 8:55 PM with the headline "Symphony on the Sand set for Saturday on Anna Maria Island ."