Erich Kunzel
Jimmy Smits

A Capitol Fourth
Friday, July 4, at 8 and 9:30 p.m. on WKAR-HD
Friday, July 4, at 8 and 10 p.m. on WKAR-23


All-Star Line-up Celebrates "A Capitol Fourth"

Blow out the candles at America’s biggest and best-loved birthday party with our new host and an all-star cast. Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning film, theater and television actor Jimmy Smits hosts the 28th annual broadcast of A Capitol Fourth live from Washington, D.C.

 The star spangled party will feature unrivaled musical performances from some of the country’s best known and award-winning artists as well as the most spectacular fireworks display anywhere in the nation. Grammy winning musicians Huey Lewis and the News, American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, Rock ‘n’ Roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis, Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell, classical superstar Hayley Westenra and soprano Harolyn Blackwell will perform a selection of patriotic and celebratory music with the National Symphony Orchestra 
under the direction of top pops conductor Erich Kunzel.

Following this musical salute, the Washington, DC skyline will come alive with the most colorful, creative and booming display of fireworks ever set against silhouettes of national landmarks the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. 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. 

The multi-award winning eventwill be broadcast live in high definition from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol and can also be heard in stereo over National Public Radio and by U.S. military personnel in more than 175 countries and aboard 140 U.S. Navy ships at sea on the American Forces Network (AFN). 
 


published: July 1, 2008


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