Capitol Fourth '09

The annual Independence Day celebration will air Saturday, July 4, 8:00-9:30 PM ET on most PBS stations (check local listings). The 29th concert will also be broadcast to our troops overseas via the American Forces Radio and Television Network. You can also listent to the concert live on NPR stations across the country.

Jimmy Smiths returns as the concert's host. Among the guest stars are Elmo and other Sesame Street characters, including Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and Oscar the Grouch, who'll sing for the crowd. The iconic children's show is now in its 40th year.

Joining them in the celebration of America's 233rd birthday are the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin; the cast of Jersey Boys; Michael Feinstein; classical pianist Andrew von Oeyen; and Natasha Bedingfield. Barry Manilow will open and close the concert broadcast with a medley of patriotic classics and hit songs. The National Symphony Orchestra and Choral Arts Society of Washington will, of course, perform throughout the concert.

The skyline of the nation’s capital will come alive with vibrant and booming pyrotechnics, set against silhouettes of national landmarks the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. A Capitol Fourth will capture this stunning fireworks display from every vantage point with eighteen TV cameras stationed around the city – including the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the Washington Monument and across the Potomac River. Capping off the show will be a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” complete with live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery, an audience favorite and now A Capitol Fourth tradition. Also participating in the event will be The U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, The U.S. Army Ceremonial Band, The U.S. Army “Old Guard” Fife and Drum Corps and the Armed Forces Color Guard provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C.

Commented Smits, “I am honored to be asked once again to host this year's special party to celebrate our great country's birthday…and what a 'guest list!' The music itself embraces so many genres – we’ve got pop, we’ve got classical and we’ve got soul. Throw in an anniversary celebration of Sesame Street, topped off with the biggest fireworks display around and we’ve got quite a show!”

A Capitol Fourth is a co-production of Jerry Colbert of Capital Concerts and WETA, Washington, D.C.

A Capitol Fourth 2009 is made possible by grants from The Boeing Company, the National Park Service, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Department of the Army, the National Endowment for the Arts, PBS and public television stations nationwide. Air travel is provided by American Airlines.

Photo (c) 2009 PBS. All rights reserved.

Source: PBS Press.