Southwest Florida Symphony closes 63rd season with ‘70s, 80s & 90s Unplugged’ on May 18

The Southwest Florida Symphony’s final Brave New Pops concert of the season,

“70s, 80s & 90s Unplugged,” on May 18 will feature beloved guest artist Andrew Lipke.

Southwest Florida Symphony closes 63rd season with ‘70s, 80s & 90s Unplugged’ on May 18

FORT MYERS, Fla. (April 15, 2024) – The Southwest Florida Symphony, the only professional orchestra in Lee County and the fourth oldest orchestra in the state, is thrilled to announce locally beloved guest artist Andrew Lipke will perform in the final Brave New Pops concert of the season on Saturday, May 18. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. at Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers.

This unique concert, titled “70s, 80s & 90s Unplugged,” will transport listeners back in time for an unforgettable evening of nostalgia that will stir the soul and rekindle memories with acoustic renditions of hits from some of the most iconic artists of the MTV generation.

From the soulful tunes of Eric Clapton and Rod Stewart’s classic rock to Nirvana’s grunge anthems and the alternative vibes of 10,000 Maniacs, this concert has it all. Revel in the poetic lyrics of Alanis Morissette, the R&B grooves of Jodeci, and the timeless melodies of The Eagles. Experience Mariah Carey’s ballads, George Michaels’ pop hits, and the unique sounds of Toad the Wet Sprocket. Along with Paul McCartney’s legendary compositions, Sheryl Crow’s Americana, the haunting melodies of The Cranberries, and the smooth tones of Chris Isaak, this evening promises a diverse and delightful musical journey. Perfect for fans of all ages, this concert is more than just a performance—it’s a celebration of the enduring power of music across generations, where every song is a trip down memory lane.

Lipke is a Philadelphia-based, South African-born composer, producer, arranger, conductor, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and educator active in many styles across multiple genres.

As an arranger and conductor, Lipke has worked extensively with American singer-songwriter Amos Lee, initially providing orchestrations for Lee’s 2015 album “Live at Red Rocks with The Colorado Symphony” and continuing to orchestrate additional material for Lee’s performances with prominent American orchestras including the Philadelphia, Nashville, Los Angeles, Oregon, St. Louis, Utah and Seattle symphony orchestras. Past conducting engagements also include the National Symphony Orchestra at Kennedy Center, Atlanta Symphony, Colorado Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony and Southwest Florida Symphony.

As a multi-instrumentalist, Lipke has spent more than a decade touring the country with the highly successful Led Zeppelin tribute band “Get The Led Out” as a keyboardist, guitarist and vocalist. He has also traveled extensively as a vocalist with conductor and composer Steve Hackman’s symphonic synthesis Brahms V Radiohead, including performances with the Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Indianapolis, Colorado, Columbus, Charlotte, North Carolina and San Francisco symphony orchestras.

From 2015 through 2019, upon invitation from esteemed Maestro Dirk Brossè, Lipke was in collaboration with the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia where he created, curated and hosted an innovative, cross-genre concert series entitled “Intersect” exploring the common attributes of music that transcend genre and style.

The Southwest Florida Symphony’s Brave New Pops series is sponsored by Ellie Fox, Seminole Casino Hotel, and the Thomas Kooyumjian Foundation.

To purchase tickets or learn more, visit swflso.org/tickets/.

The Southwest Florida Symphony made its debut as a community orchestra on April 15, 1961, playing in schools and community centers with a roster of only 24 volunteer musicians. Today, the symphony boasts a roster of 70 world-class professional musicians and is Lee County’s only fully professional orchestra and the fourth oldest in the state. The Southwest Florida Symphony’s 63rd year continues the orchestra’s tradition of artistic excellence and innovation as Music Director Maestro Radu Paponiu leads another season of spectacular performances. Maestro Paponiu, the sixth music director in the organization’s history, also serves as the associate conductor and youth orchestra director for the Naples Philharmonic in addition to guest-conducting with orchestras throughout the United States and Europe.

For more information about the Southwest Florida Symphony, upcoming season performances and subscription and ticketing information, visit swflso.org or call 239-418-1500.