Festival announces Grand Finale show

The Festival at Sandpoint is presenting its Grand Finale performance, “How to Train Your Dragon 2” in concert Sunday, Aug. 9.

Tickets are on sale now.

Winner of the Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film, DreamWorks’ “How to Train Your Dragon 2” is that rare sequel that’s a worthy successor to the original. Hailed by critics and audiences alike, the acclaimed adventure continues featuring ground-breaking animation, brilliant storytelling, and stirring emotion.

When Hiccup and Toothless discover a secret ice cave with wild dragons and a mysterious dragon rider, the two friends find themselves in an epic battle to save the future of man and dragons.

“How To Train Your Dragon 2” in concert features this spectacular sequel presented in HD with composer John Powell’s thrilling score performed live to picture by a full symphony orchestra in an awe-inspiring experience for the whole family.

Tickets for the Grand Finale show Sunday, Aug. 9, are on sale now at festivalatsandpoint.com.

Conducting the performance is Morihiko Nakahara, who spent 16 years as resident conductor of the Spokane Symphony. He is also the music director of the South Carolina Philharmonic and the director of orchestra studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

He is well-known for his charismatic presence on and off the podium, his innovative and audience-friendly programming skills, and his thoughtful interpretations of both standard and contemporary repertoire.

How to Train Your Dragon 2” in concert will be performed by the Festival at Sandpoint Orchestra, which features talented instrumentalists from across the Inland Northwest, many of whom have been featured as part of the Spokane Symphony.

Sandpoint local Jason Moody will serve as concertmaster for the Festival at Sandpoint Orchestra. Since his solo debut with the Spokane Symphony at age 16, Jason Moody has performed across the United States, Europe, and Japan.

Moody has received fellowships for the Aldeburgh Festival, the Spoleto USA Festival, the Masters Music Festival, and the Lancaster Festival. Moody is an adjunct faculty member at Whitworth University and Edmonds Community College, teaching violin, viola, and chamber music.

Before the performance begins, from 5 to 7 p.m., guests can select to add a ticket to the “Cheers: Beer & Wine Tasting” event. At this two-hour event, guests can sample pours from across the region in their souvenir tasting cup.

Cheers is a separate ticketed event; all guests must be 21 years or older and present valid ID prior to admission.

The evening will include free face painting and a fireworks display.

This will be a seated show, meaning that the area in front of the stage will be available for short chair and blanket seating only.

New this year, the Festival at Sandpoint has expanded its youth ticket policy so kids who are five years old or younger can attend for free.

Information: festivalatsandpoint.com