Cape Movie Magic

Press Releases & Press Articles

2nd Annual Cape Movie Magic 2 - 2010

Cape Coral Breeze Story dated: February 22, 2010

Cape Movie Magic Returns

The orchestral majesty of motion pictures returns next weekend to Cape Coral, as the much loved Cape Movie Magic swings into its second year with a free concert for the entire family.

The concert is Saturday, Feb 27, 4 p.m., at Four Freedoms Park in downtown Cape Coral.

This year will see some changes to the event, namely a different venue, but Gulf Coast Symphony Music Director Andrew Kurtz promises the same wonderful experience that people loved last year.

"This is an outdoor symphonic pops concert that's geared toward families. That's what were philosophically trying to do," Kurtz said. "We're committed to making this a great concert. It's going to be absolutely exciting, and a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon."

Moving from Cultural Park last year to Four Freedoms Park this year, Kurtz said there was a conscious effort to bring the concert into the CRA and centralize it in the Cape's business district.

The waterfront location of Four Freedoms Park seems like a "beautiful space" according Kurtz, who said should easily fit between 800 - 1,000 people eager to hear their favorite movie tunes.

Another change this year is a scaled back version of some of the things surrounding the concert.

For instance, last year's show had film clips playing along with the orchestral accompaniment.

This year that feature has been scrapped, but returning are the costumed characters, various community vendors, food and beverage sales as well as kids face painting and games.

The time of the show has been changed, too. Instead of playing into the night, the concert will begin earlier at 4 p.m., allowing families to experience the show and make it home in enough time to share a nice family meal.

"We felt very strongly that, if this is going to be a family event, then it needed to be done by dinner time," Kurtz said. "If this was going to be a true family event, then the concert needs to start by 4."

The Gulf Coast Symphony has a history of performing free concerts in Lee County.

Kurtz said the orchestra wanted to diversify where it performs, and make a conscious effort to reach out to all parts of Lee County.

He said that people can expect an annual concert in the Cape. While the theme might not always be movies, he said the symphony is committed to bringing music to the Cape.

"Our mission and philosophy is to reach out to the community ... and we felt there were some areas that were under-served by live symphonic performances," Kurtz said. "When we made the commitment this year, we felt strongly that Cape Coral deserves the opportunity to hear an outdoor concert."

Last year's concert leaned heavily on the music of composer John Williams, whose memorable scores have become etched into the popular subconscious over the last five decades.

"Star Wars," "Jaws," "Indiana Jones," "Schindler's List," "Superman" and "Harry Potter" all featured some of Williams' most indelible work, and wowed the audience last year.

This year Kurtz said there will be a few of Williams' compositions - "E.T. the Extra Terrestrial" and the new "Star Wars" trilogy - but music from the "Batman" films, "James Bond" film series and "Star Trek" will also be featured.

"It's all very powerful, emotive music," Kurtz said.

The Gulf Coast Symphony was founded 15 years ago by Kurtz, who is also the general and artistic director of the Center City Opera Theater of Philadelphia. Kurtz's work is internationally recognized.

The Gulf Coast Symphony performs regular concert series at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall and a New Year's Eve Concert and Gala, among others throughout the county.

Cape Movie Magic is part of the orchestra's free POPS in the Park series, which is also performed at Estero Park.

Kurtz said to expect POPS in the Park to become a tradition in the Cape, as the orchestra are already looking forward to next year.

"I think the city of Cape Coral, and all the people that have given us support, are all very enthusiastic about this," he said. "It'll keep building now that we've (the Gulf Coast Symphony) taken over the event completely."

Cape Movie Magic is free and open to the public.

Some vendors will be available, but Gulf Coast Symphony is encouraging families to bring blankets, picnic baskets, and lawn chairs to enjoy the show.

Limited reserved (on-site) parking will be available at the event for at least a $5 donation on first-come, first-served basis. And limited free parking will be available at public parking spaces around the downtown area of South Cape Coral, according to the event's Web site.

For more information, visit gulfcoastsymphony.org, or call 277-1700.

To read the full article online - CLICK HERE

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The News Press Story dated: February 26, 2010

Symphony presents classic film anthems

By JL Watson • jlwatson@news-press.com •
February 26, 2010

Musically inclined fans of "Spider-Man," "Lord of the Rings," "Star Wars" and "Harry Potter" can enjoy tunes from those shows and more during the Gulf Coast Symphony's second Cape Movie Magic concert on Saturday.

"It's popular music for the whole family," said Andrew Kurtz, the music director for the symphony. He has a goal of bringing the symphony to every part of Lee County.

"Our mission as a community orchestra is to reach out to all the communities where we live," Kurtz said. "We're reaching into areas underserved with music."

Kurtz brought the first outdoor concert to the park last year and got a warm welcome from local residents.

"We're really trying to engage every corner of Lee County to hear live symphonic music," he said.

So far, the symphony has traveled to Estero, Harlem Heights, downtown Fort Myers, North Fort Myers and Lehigh Acres in its quest to fill the ears of local residents with symphonic sounds.

"We're excited about coming back," Kurtz said.

Steve Pohlman, Cape Coral Parks and Recreation director, said that he is excited the symphony is returning to the city.

"The cultural experience at the level of the symphony will give children, adults and seniors a unique opportunity," he said.

The Cape Coral Community Foundation has helped support the efforts to bring the symphony to the community, Pohlman said.

"The Cape Coral Community Foundation support has helped move this forward," he said.

Foundation director Beth Sanger said she was pleased the symphony is making a return trip to the city.

"We're very excited to have them back in the Cape," Sanger said. "It's a great way with the art fund at the foundation to support the arts and enhance that cultural experience in Cape Coral."

To read the full article online - CLICK HERE

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1st Annual Cape Movie Magic - 2009

Cape Coral Breeze Story dated: March 1, 2009

Symphony attracts crowd with ‘Cape Movie Magic’

By GRAY ROHRER, grohrer@breezenewspapers.com

POSTED: March 1, 2009

There are very few art forms that elicit the kind of visceral emotional response from their audiences as do motion pictures and orchestral music.

Saturday the two were combined to form one fluid performance as part of the inaugural "Cape Movie Magic" event.

The Gulf Coast Symphony, a volunteer-based community orchestra, played on an outdoor stage behind the Cultural Park Theatre, featuring sweeping themes from "Star Wars," "Spiderman," "Harry Potter," "Lord of the Rings," "Schindler's List," "Indiana Jones" and "Pirates of the Caribbean," as scenes from the hit motion pictures flashed on a screen beside it.

Dr. Andrew Kurtz, the symphony's founder and conductor, said synthesizing the music with the movie scenes was the key for an event like "Cape Movie Magic."

"It makes it more complicated," Kurtz said of the added element of movies. "It's trying to get the flavor of what these sounds were meant to be playing and reflecting on at an emotional level."

The Gulf Coast Symphony, which played for one hour, was the main event, but there was plenty of preamble. Mariner, Cape Coral and Ida Baker High School musical groups entertained a crowd of hundreds that swelled to about 1,000 as the symphony's time approached.

The atmosphere leading up to the featured concert was more akin to an amusement park than an outdoor concert, with food, beverage and games vendors soliciting customers, and characters from the various movies - Capt. Jack Sparrow, Indiana Jones, stormtroopers and others - entertaining guests young and old.

The event was more than a year in the making, and J. P. Terrasi, president of Terrasi Media and principal organizer of "Cape Movie Magic," said it all started with a conversation.

"I was talking to the maestro (Kurtz) and I said, 'I've never seen you in the Cape,' and he said, 'I've never been invited,'" Terrasi said.

Terrasi set about rectifying that situation, but focused on creating a family-friendly event that provided children's entertainment. That meant playing music they could relate to and recognize.

"We could've easily played Bach and Beethoven, but we didn't want to do that," Terrasi said.

He also stressed the importance of providing a free, family-friendly event during harsh economic times.

"Kids don't know better, that's why we geared this toward them," Terrasi said.

Beth Sanger, president of the Cape Coral Community Foundation, a sponsor and organizer of "Cape Movie Magic," echoed Terrasi's sentiments.

"All you hear on the news is the economy is bad and the foreclosures, but people are still here, living and breathing, and they need things like this," she said.

http://www.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com/page/content.detail/id/503688.html?nav=5011

Jack Sparrow from “Pirates of the Caribbean” and Aragon from “Lord of the Rings” sign autographs for their fans during the “Cape Movie Magic” on Saturday. More photos are available online at:

cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com

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News-Press Story dated January 19, 2009

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Symphony plays classic movie themes

February 27, 2009

Music will fill the air in a free cultural entertainment experience Saturday on the grounds of the Cultural Park Theater.

"Cape Movie Magic" will feature classic movie themes played by the Gulf Coast Symphony. Activities begin at 11 a.m. at 528 Cultural Park Blvd.

This is the first time the Symphony has played a free concert in Cape Coral. The event is presented by the SWFL Business Alliance.

Movie themes planned to be performed for the event are "Star Wars," "Schindler's List," "Harry Potter," "Indiana Jones," "Lord of the Rings" and more.

"We started talking with Andrew Kurtz, the Gulf Coast Symphony director, about 10 months ago with the possibility of the musicians coming to perform at the Cape," said JP Terrasi, event spokesman. "I knew we (the SWFL Business Alliance) could make it happen because of how involved our members are in the community and with our connections."

Beginning at 11 a.m., the Symphony will have a two-hour rehearsal which is open to the public. Participating in the rehearsal will be Mariner High, Ida S. Baker High, and Cape Coral High School bands or choruses.

Cape Coral's own Caira Everly will sing "The National Anthem" to kick things off for the evening.

The Gulf Coast Symphony will return to the stage at around 5 p.m. for the actual concert.

"This live concert has developed into a premier event with a lot of great things going on," Terrasi said. "We are actually taking steps toward branding "Cape Movie Magic" as an annual event for the City of Cape Coral."

Organizers are hoping for 6,000 people or more.

"I'm looking forward to it," said Beth Sanger, Cape Coral Community Foundation executive director. "I'll definitely be there and am very excited to have the Symphony come and do an outdoor performance."

Aside from music there will be retail and food vendors, and costumed characters including Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, Aragorn, Galadriel, Capt. Jack Sparrow, Anakin Skywalker and a storm trooper.

"There will be another huge surprise at the event that we are not promoting," Terrasi said. "I guess you'll have to attend to see what that is."

Organizers hope to make this an annual event for the city.

There will be alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, children's games and more.

There will be off-site parking at Sun Splash Family Waterpark on Santa Barbara Boulevard and at Cape Coral City Hall on Nicholas Parkway.

There is a requested $5 donation for on-site parking for the first 500 cars.

Following the show at 7:30 p.m. is a VIP After Party at the Cape Coral Art League, 516 Cultural Park Blvd. There will be a Meet and Greet with the Symphony and refreshments. VIP tickets are $25 each and are available by calling 277-1700.

Concert proceeds benefit Cape Coral student education.

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News-Press Story dated January 19, 2009

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Gulf Coast Symphony Outdoor Concert

Date: Sat Feb 28, 2009 - Sat Feb 28, 2009
Location: Cultural Park
Description:

"Cape Movie Magic," an outdoor event organized by the Southwest Florida Business Alliance and Terrasi Media, features a live concert by the Gulf Coast Symphony. The event starts at 11 a.m. when the Symphony will have a two-hour rehearsal, open to the public. The event continues with three Cape Coral area high school jazz or pops bands that will each play. At 5 p.m. the Gulf Coast Symphony will entertain with movie themes from "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Lord of the Rings," "Harry Potter," "Star Wars," and more. Food and refreshments will be available.

To view the full article online - CLICK HERE

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Florida Weekly Story dated January 19, 2009

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A Symphony of Symphonies

Southwest and Gulf Coast Symphony Highlight Their Upcoming Season

BY NANCY STETSON - nstetson@floridaweekly.com

Lee County is fortunate enough to have not one, but two local orchestras, guaranteeing a variety of offerings in classical music and pops.

Attending concerts by the Southwest Florida Symphony and the Gulf Coast Symphony, you can hear music that ranges from classical music composed hundreds of years ago, Broadway favorites, jazz, and Florida premieres of modern orchestral music.

"We are a community orchestra, and we feel our mission is to serve the entire county," says Gulf Coast Symphony music director Andrew Kurtz. "We're excited by the variety that we're offering this year as well as the new and different areas of the county in which we're performing. We're truly getting out into the community and performing in so many different areas."

Among the areas his orchestra will perform in are: East Fort Myers, Estero, Cape Coral, South Fort Myers, Harlem Heights, and downtown Fort Myers, in addition to their two regular venues: the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall and the Anderson Theater at Bishop Verot High School.

ABOVE: Maestro Andrew Kurtz gets animated with the Gulf Coast Symphony during a rehearsal.

Half the concerts they give are free to the public, and tickets to their other performances are in the $10 to $20 range.

"We're going into communities that have never had the benefit of a symphonic performance, " he says.

Their orchestra of approximately 70 musicians (70 percent of them are year-round residents) are a diverse mix of musicians, including retired professionals, music teachers, doctors who play as an avocation, college students who are doing performance degrees.

The Gulf Coast Symphony offers four different types of concerts; here's a look at what the season holds

Feb. 28 Movie Magic, Cape Coral Cultural Park

FLORIDA WEEKLY FILE PHOTO The Gulf Coast Symphony is a community orchestra that practices once a week.

An entire day of arts and music in the well-named Cultural Park in Cape Coral includes concerts by high school and middle school bands. The Gulf Coast Symphony will perform music from movie soundtracks at 4:30 p.m.

To view the full article online - CLICK HERE

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Cape Coral Daily Breeze Press Story dated December 19, 2009

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Local symphony to put on free concert in

Cape for citizens

POSTED: December 18, 2008

Cape Movie Magic set

By DREW WINCHESTER, dwinchester@breezenewspapers.com

The magic of the movies is coming to Cape Coral next year as the Gulf Coast Symphony will play a free concert at Cultural Park Theatre.

"Cape Movie Magic," scheduled for Feb. 28, will mark the first time the Gulf Coast Symphony brings its free concert series to the Cape.

It will play themes from some of Hollywood's biggest motion pictures, including "Star Wars," "Indiana Jones," "Lord of the Rings," "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Harry Potter."

Co-organizer and Cape resident J.P. Terrasi got the idea of bringing music to the Cape after watching a free symphony concert in south Lee County.

"I've been to a few of their free concerts before," Terrasi said. "I was talking with Andrew (Andrew Kurtz, symphony director) and asked him if they ever played in the Cape. He told me 'No, I've never been invited.'"

Taking the reins, Terrasi quickly decided to not only put on a free show, but organize an entire day of events centered around music.

The day starts at 11 a.m. as the Gulf Coast Symphony gathers for a two-hour rehearsal. Then Cape high school jazz or pops bands will take the stage until 5 p.m., when the symphony comes back out for the main event.

Symphony director Andrew Kurtz is looking forward to bringing his group of musicians to the Cape.

He said the Cape makes up a serious portion of his musicians and core audience.

"We have a good percentage of our orchestra and our audience that lives in our Cape," Kurtz said. "We're a true community orchestra, not some hired guns from around the state. They live here and they work here."

Kurtz credits Terrasi with the putting the event together, and he did not blink an eye when Kurtz told him the financial requirements of putting on a large, free concert.

"He said, 'I can do it,' and that's what it takes," Kurtz recalled of his initial conversations with Terrasi. "The arts take a merger of all the aspects of a community ... it's those partnerships that are the most successful and the most beneficial."

Terrasi said the timing of the concert is perfect given the economy, though it was not planned as such.

He is already looking forward to next year's concert, which has all but been decided upon.

"We're already committed to next year," Terrasi said.

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To view the full article online - CLICK HERE

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The Orginal Press Release dated December 15, 2009

CLICK HERE

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Please feel free to contact me for more information.

J.P. Terrasi

Terrasi Media, Inc. - President

(239) 677-8752

jp@TerrasiMedia.com

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Cape Movie Magic Returns

Symphony presents classic film anthems

Symphony attracts crowd with ‘Cape Movie Magic’

Gulf Coast Symphony Outdoor Concert

Date: Sat Feb 28, 2009 - Sat Feb 28, 2009

Location: Cultural Park

Description:

A Symphony of Symphonies

Local symphony to put on free concert in

Cape for citizens