'Blazing Fiddles' brings the Symphony to the ranch

When classical orchestra meets Western fiddling, “sparks will fly,” promises Coeur d’Alene Symphony Conductor Jan Pellant.

“Blazing Fiddles” is a presentation of the Symphony at Rockin’ B Ranch in Liberty Lake on June 22 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Molly Allen of KZZU’s "Dave, Ken and Molly Show" will emcee this fundraiser to support excellence in classical music in our community.

A cowboy chuckwagon dinner will include beef tip carved to your liking, chicken breast and pork spareribs. On stage will be concertmaster Phil Baldwin and members of the Coeur d’Alene Symphony joined by other local artists. Diana Clemons is a Juilliard-trained violinist, but that night she’ll cut loose on “Orange Blossom Special” with fiddler Arvid Lundin, guitarist Colby Acuff and Riders of the Rockin’ B.

Aside from presenting a unique evening of feisty music, organizers hope to raise funds for the Coeur d’Alene Symphony by auctioning an Alaska Airlines flight for two to New York with a five-day stay at the Manhattan Club, a guided fly-fishing trip, a Walla Walla wine tour, conducting lessons with Maestro Jan Pellant and much more. The symphony is celebrating its first year with its new conductor and moving into a season of expansive new plans to put Coeur d'Alene on the international map of classical music.

Tickets are $75 each and can be purchased at www.cdasymphony.org or by calling the Symphony office, 208-765-3833, Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and noon before June 7.