- April 24, 2024
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As the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra played a salute to armed forces May 1, past and present members of each military branch stood. The salute was part of the fifth-annual Picnic and Pops, presented by the Palm Coast Arts Foundations.
More than 700 people attended the event, held at Central Park at Town Center. It was the largest attendance in event history.
The Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, led by guest conductor Teddy Abrams, performed its show, “Americana Under the Stars,” featuring music from mostly American composers.
“He really is one of the most up-and-coming conductors,” said Margo York, of the Palm Coast Arts Foundation, about Abrams. “We were very fortunate to get him this year.”
York said, “We have an ongoing partnership with the symphony, and they would like to make Palm Coast their second home.”
The concert was held at the park, in part, because there is not enough room at the Flagler Auditorium for an orchestra this large.
Foundation President Sam Perkovich said that’s one reason the foundation is hoping to raise funds for a performing arts center. The foundation received results from a preliminary feasibility study, which showed, to the surprise of some even within the foundation, that there was enough wealth in Flagler County and the surrounding areas to support a $30 to $40 million fundraising effort for an arts center.
“The money is here,” Perkovich said. “The next step is for us to increase our membership. It’s crucial that we bring the arts groups together.”
She said the vision is to raise the funds without seeking any tax dollars, and that an arts center would benefit the whole community — including bringing jobs to the area.
“The arts enhance everything,” She said.
