This year the Sierra Summer Festival pays tribute to the enchanting beauty that the Eastern Sierras transmit through it's majestic peaks, green meadows, and glistening lakes. The 2008 theme of the festival is "Visions of the Eastern Sierra".

The Spotlight Series opens on Tuesday, August 5, with an exciting program of music and art. One of our own members of the Eastern Sierra Symphony Orchestra will present a special program. Up and down US 395 and beyond, from intimate family gatherings to festival stages, Fiddlin' Pete Watercott has shared music with the Eastern Sierra for over thirty years. Join Pete, Neil Gelvin, and Charlie Broten for an evening of music inspired by the people and the places we love, here in the Eastern Sierra.

In addition, the exciting internationally-renowned photographer Galen Rowell spent his life traveling the world in search of adventure and sublime natural beauty, but always considered the Sierra Nevada his "home-field Shangri-La". Justin Black, curator of the Rowells' Mountain Light Gallery in Bishop, will present Sierra Reflections, the story of Galen's life-long love affair with the Sierra, and the ways in which the Range of Light molded his unique vision.

Thursday evening, August 7, will feature a very special Sinfonia Concert to include music for wind, brass and strings with the Eastern Sierra Symphony Orchestra's leading members. A west coast premiere of a new composition by local composer, Byron Fry, will feature Bryon and the Sinfonia performing his original composition "Three Times Over". The program will also feature "Woodwind Octet in Eb" by Mozart and a special performance by John Reilly performing the "Blues Concerto" by Bill Holcombe.

"Visions of the Eastern Sierra" is the main theme of this years' Sierra Summer Festival and on Friday, August 8, and Saturday, August 9, the Eastern Sierra Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Bogidar Avramov, will be presenting an exciting multi-media presentation of Smetana's beloved music from "My Fatherland" with photographs and video works by noted local artists. This nature inspired program also includes Beethoven's great "Symphony No. 6" (Pastoral).

Born in Sofia, Bulgaria, the son of a prominent violinist, Maestro Avramov is Professor Emeritus at Loyola Marymount University where he was the Director of the Instrumental Music Program. He currently conducts the Beverly Hills Symphony. From the beginning of the Sierra Summer Festival and as founder of the Eastern Sierra Symphony Orchestra, he has brought professional symphonic music to Mammoth Lakes for 31 years.

The special events on August 5 and 7 will be at St. Joseph's Catholic Church at 7:30 pm, while the symphony concerts on August 8 and 9 will take place at the Mountainside Conference Center at the Main Lodge at Mammoth Mountain. Following the 7 pm concert on Friday, August 8, there will be a "Meet The Musicians" reception. The 8 pm symphony concert on Saturday, August 9, will be preceded by the "Gala Celebration".

On Saturday, August 9, the annual Gala Celebration begins in the town of Mammoth Lakes and will feature a three course dinner at either The Mogul or Nevados. All reservations will begin at 5:30 p.m. Gala guests have reserved seats for the Symphony Concert at 8:00 p.m. at the Mountainside Conference Center at Mammoth Mountain. Reservations are limited to 100 guests.

· Sierra Summer Festival 2008 brochures
· Lodging referrals
· Recreation in Mammoth Lakes and the Eastern High Sierra

WEB: www.visitmammoth.com
E-MAIL: info@visitmammoth.com
PHONE: 1-888-466-2666, 1-760-934-2712,

· Tickets may be ordered online on this website(See ticket and poster ordering)
· Concert tickets are available by mail until July 15 from:

Aspen Creek

Mammoth Mountain Chalets

Mammoth Estates

Mammoth Sierra Reservations

Seasons 4