THE BOSTON POPS JULY 4 SHOW AND MY NEW FILM

[JOHN DE GRAAF,* JOHN DE GRAAF]

TALS and SCORAI friends:

 

Whether you live in Boston or elsewhere, the famous Boston Pops Orchestra, in honor of the 30th anniversary as conductor of Keith Lockhart, will include a performance of its musical adaptation of my new film, FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA: KATHARINE LEE BATES AND THE STORY OF AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL in its July 4th concert before an estimated half million people. 

 

You can watch the show on live TV, airing locally on WHDH from 7-10 p.m Eastern Time and elsewhere via online streaming at  https://whdh.com/on-air-live-stream/

Streaming is only at that time and will not be available later.  The performance of FROM SEA TO SHINING SEA will be somewhere in the first two hours of the program, and includes actress Paula Plum performing my narration as Bates with visuals from our film and a wonderful completely new score by TONY-winner Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime).  The 120-member orchestra will be joined by the 50-member Tanglewood Chorus in a spectacular performance (I've seen it)!

 

I am deeply honored by this recognition of the film (www.seatoshiningseafilm.org) by the Pops.   The story of America the Beautiful (written on Colorado's Pikes Peak in 1893) will surprise many as it not only celebrates America's physical beauty, it challenges its flaws, including the wealth gap of the Gilded Age and (in a 1904 wre-write) the imperialism of the Spanish American War. 

 

Katharine Lee Bates, the author, was an advocate for the poor, labor, Native Americans, women and world peace.  The song is anything but the jingoistic, chauvistic song many Americans believe it to be.  Bates was a critic of Gilded Age consumerism and the destruction of its natural beauty by exploitation of public lands.  

 

This fall we will be showing the 37-minute film around the country and it will soon be available for public use:  From Sea to Shining Sea | Bullfrog Films: 1-800-543-3764: Environmental DVDs and Educational DVDs

 

I think that both SCORAI and TALS members will find the film useful and enjoy the Boston Pops' adaptation of it Friday night.

 

For more information, please contact me at jo...@comcast.net

 

In gratitude,

John

 

John de Graaf

www.johndegraaf.com

[JOHN DE GRAAF,* JOHN DE GRAAF]

WBUR, THE BIG BOSTON NPR STATION just published my July 4 essay about America the Beautiful, a story that I think makes sense for both TALS and SCORAI.

The forgotten meaning of 'America the Beautiful' | Cognoscenti.

 

They will also interview me for their national radio show HERE AND NOW about our new film--an adaptation of which will be performed by the Boston Pops tomorrow Night. Conductor Keith Lockhart is mentioning the piece on Boston TV news tonight.

Larry and Karen will attend the concert.

 

Please share the link widely, and let me know if you'd like to screen the film on your campus or in your community!

 

thanks to you all!

John

John de Graaf, TALS Fellow, SCORAI advisory board, Balaton member

www.johndegraaf.com