This weekend at Abravanel Hall, “BYOB” won’t carry the usual meaning. In this instance, the acronym stands for “Bring Your Own Bells,” as the Utah Symphony pays tribute to the popular book and movie The Polar Express, where one of Santa’s sleigh bells plays a central role. Concertgoers are invited to come early to make decorations that will be donated to local charities. Since the story’s themes of “Learn,” “Lead” and “Believe” will be the focus of the decorations, it would be nice to attach a bell or two.
Bells will also come in handy to shake during the concert when a certain large man in a red suit is expected to make a quick trip down from the North Pole. No jingle bells lying around the house? Car keys, when shaken vigorously, make a perfectly acceptable jingle-sound substitute. The program runs at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., leaving the afternoon open for downtown shopping.
On Friday and Saturday nights, the symphony will also hold the Holiday Celebration With Jerry!—Jerry being Jerry Steichen (pictured), the principal pops conductor for the symphony, who will lead the assembled musicians in a program featuring music from, you guessed it, The Polar Express. It’s all of the enjoyable music from the movie without a creepy computer-animated Tom Hanks.
The Polar Express with Utah Symphony @ Abravanel Hall, 123 S. West Temple, 801-355-2787, Dec. 11, 11 a.m. & 12:30 p.m., $6-$20.
Holiday Celebration with Jerry! @ Abravanel Hall, 123 S. West Temple, 801-355-2787, Dec. 10-11, 8 p.m., $30-$85. UtahSymphony.org
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