PASADENA POPS ANNOUNCE 2026 RUSNAK SUMMER CONCERT SERIES AT THE LA COUNTY ARBORETUM
the Rat Pack and the Music of Motown
June 20 – August 29, 2026
Pasadena, CA – The Pasadena POPS and Resident Pops Conductor Larry Blank announce the 2026 Rusnak Summer Concert series at the Los Angeles County Arboretum. The five-concert series will run from June 20 to August 29, 2026 with a guest artist lineup boasting an impressive roster of Broadway credits including Morgan James, (Godspell), Chester Gregory and Shayna Steele (Hairspray), Scarlett Strallen (Mary Poppins), Hugh Panaro (Phantom of the Opera), Valerie Perri (Evita), Grammy Award-winning Jazz songstress Carmen Bradford, and the electrifying triple-threat of Craig A. Meyer. The POPS summer season offers something for every music lover with an exciting mix of sound from Hollywood, Motown, the Rat Pack, Elton John, and culminating with Larry Blank’s Broadway extravaganza paying tribute to legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber.
For his inaugural season at the helm of the POPS, Maestro Blank will kick off the summer on June 20 with his Star-Spangled Salute to the Movies, paying tribute to two masters of Hollywood music – John Williams and Marvin Hamlisch. This opening night program will spotlight the talents of the Pasadena POPS orchestra, with epic scores from Williams’ Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Arc, Superman and E.T. The silky vocals of Broadway and recording artist Morgan James will bring Marvin Hamlisch’s nostalgic soundtracks to life with “Nobody Does it Better” and “The Way We Were.”
The summer heats up on July 11 with the return of the spellbinding Shayna Steele for Dancin’ in the Street: The Music of Motown. Steele will be joined by Broadway star Chester Gregory (Hairspray, Dreamgirls) and Terron Brooks, whose vocals have backed up Stevie Wonder and Somkey Robinson among others. This dynamic trio will bring fire to Motown hits “I’ll Be There,” “My Guy,” “I Feel Good,” “Superstition” and so much more. Then, harken back to the Golden Age of Vegas on July 29 for A Toast to the Rat Pack, with Jazz royalty Carmen Bradford, crooner Todd Murray and famed Sinatra interpreter Steve Lippia bringing you songs made famous, by Sinatra, Dean Martin and Ella Fitgerald, with “Come Fly with Me,” “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head,” “Lady is a Tramp” and more.
The music, costumes and charisma of the Rocketman will come to life on August 15 when Craig A. Meyer takes the stage for Remember When Rock Was Young: The Elton John Experience. Meyer got his start touring with Franki Valli and Barry Manilow, who calls him “one of the most talented people I have ever worked with.” His high-energy show brings unforgettable flair to chart-topping hits from Benny and the Jets and Tiny Dancer to Candle in the Wind and Crocodile Rock that will have audiences dancing in the aisles.
Resident Pops Conductor Larry Blank closes the season on August 29 with an insider’s journey through the world of legendary Broadway composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Phantom of the Opera’s Hugh Panaro and Evita’s Valerie Perri will bring two of Webber’s most popular shows to life, along with songs from Cats, Sunset Blvd, and music from Webber’s contemporaries – Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Schwartz. This Broadway spectacular will be a season finale you won’t want to miss!
All concerts are held at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, located at 301 North Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA. Grounds open for picnicking and dining at 5:30pm and performances begin at 7:30pm. Don’t miss the best outdoor dinner party in town with spacious circular table seating with fine linens, or lawn seating for those who want to bring a blanket – each option carries on the tradition of picnic-dining with your family and friends to the backdrop of the San Gabriel Valley’s premier orchestra! Among many venue amenities, concert goers can enjoy pre-ordered gourmet box dinners for on-site pickup just steps from their table from Julienne or Bacchus Kitchen, two full-service beverage centers, or a variety of food trucks.
Subscribers may purchase pre-paid onsite parking at the Arboretum, and all concertgoers can purchase guaranteed and convenient parking at Santa Anita Park, with complimentary non-stop shuttle service to the Arboretum’s main entrance. Season subscriptions and single tickets, starting at $38, are now on sale and available by calling the box office at (626) 793-7172, online at pasadenasymphony-pops.org/
2026 Rusnak Summer POPS Series Calendar
Star Spangled Salute to the Movies
With a Special Tribute to John Williams
June 20, 2026
Larry Blank, Resident Pops Conductor
Morgan James, soloist
Resident Pops Conductor Larry Blank kicks off the season with epic scores from Superman, E.T., Raiders of the Lost Arc, Star Wars and a tribute to the late Marvin Hamlisch with “Nobody Does it Better,” “The Way We Were” and more Hollywood blockbusters for an unforgettable evening celebrating American film music.
Dancing in the Street: Music of Motown
July 11, 2026
Larry Blank, Resident Pops Conductor
Terron Brooks, Chester Gregory & Shayna Steele, soloists
Get ready to groove to the Temptations, Supremes and Stevie Wonder for this soulful celebration of legendary Motown artists. Hits like My Girl, I Feel Good and Superstition will have you singin’ and dancin’ All Night Long.
A Toast to the Rat Pack
July 25, 2026
Larry Blank, Resident Pops Conductor
Carmen Bradford, Steve Lippia & Todd Murray, soloists
Step back into the golden age of swing with the timeless hits of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Ella Fitzgerald in a dazzling evening of swagger, smooth vocals and big band with: My Way, Come Fly with Me, I’ve Got the World on a String, Come Rain or Come Shine, Lady is a Tramp and more.
Remember When Rock Was Young
The Elton John Tribute
August 15, 2026
Larry Blank, Resident Pops Conductor
Craig A. Meyer & band, guest artists
A spectacular theatrical experience capturing the Rocketman’s music, costumes and charisma. From Benny and the Jets and Tiny Dancer to Candle in the Wind and Crocodile Rock, this high-energy show brings his chart-topping hits to life with unforgettable flair.
Music of the Night: Andrew Lloyd Webber & Friends
August 29, 2026
Larry Blank, Resident Pops Conductor
Hugh Panaro, Valerie Perri & Scarlett Strallen, soloists
The season closes with an unforgettable evening of drama, passion and iconic melodies from Broadway’s legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber and his contemporaries – Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, Leonard Bernstein and more. Hits from Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Evita, West Side Story, Les Mis and will have you singing your favorite showtunes.
IF YOU GO:
- What: Pasadena POPS 2026 Rusnak Summer Concert Series; Larry Blank, Resident Pops Conductor
- When: June 20, July 11, July 25, August 15, August 29. Concerts start at 7:30pm. Gates open at 5:30pm.
- Where: The LA County Arboretum | 301 N Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007
- Cost: Tickets start at $38
- Dining: Gates open at 5:30pm for picnicking. Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drink or pre-order from onsite food vendors.
- Parking: Table subscribers have the opportunity to purchase onsite Arboretum parking. Single ticket holders may purchase guaranteed and convenient parking at Santa Anita Park, located just across Baldwin Ave, with complimentary non-stop shuttle service to the Arboretum’s main entrance for $20.
ABOUT THE PASADENA SYMPHONY ASSOCIATION
Formed in 1928, the Pasadena Symphony and POPS is an ensemble of Hollywood’s most talented, sought-after musicians. With extensive credits in film, television, recording and the orchestral industry, the artists of the Pasadena Symphony and POPS are some of the most heard in the world.
Brett Mitchell assumed the post of Pasadena Symphony Music Director on April 1, 2024. The multi-platinum-selling, Emmy and Grammy Award-nominated entertainer dubbed “The Ambassador of the Great American Songbook,” Michael Feinstein, assumed the role of Principal Pops Conductor Emeritus in September 2025, after leading the POPS for 14 years, succeeding Marvin Hamlisch. Resident Pops Conductor Larry Blank will lead the POPS for the 2026 season.
The Pasadena Symphony and POPS performs in two of the most extraordinary venues in the United States: Ambassador Auditorium, known as the Carnegie Hall of the West, and the Los Angeles Arboretum & Botanic Garden.
A hallmark of its robust education programs, the Pasadena Symphony Association has served the youth of the region for over five decades through the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestras (PYSO). PYSO offers supplemental in-class instruction within the Pasadena Unified School District and eleven performance ensembles, serving over 700 4th-12th grade students from all over Southern California. The PYSO has performed at venues across the globe as well as on the television show GLEE.
The Pasadena Symphony Association provides people from all walks of life with powerful access points to the world of symphonic music. www.pasadenasymphony-pops.org
