SPRECKELS ORGAN SOCIETY PRESENTS “JAZZ NIGHT”
WITH CAROL WILLIAMS, DAVE SCOTT AND FRIENDS,
FREE AT THE SPRECKELS ORGAN PAVILION ON MONDAY AUGUST 23

DENNIS JAMES ACCOMPANIES "THE YANKEE CLIPPER"
STARRING WILLIAM BOYD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2010

Media Contact:
Lizbeth Persons Price
Lizbeth_price@yahoo.com

Spreckels Organ Society
Web Site: SOSOrgan.org
619/702-8138
SOSORGAN@aol.com

SAN DIEGO, CA – Theatre organist Dennis James brings his musical storytelling magic back to San Diego this summer with his popular Silent Movie Night in Balboa Park on Monday, August 23 at 7:30pm. James is one of eleven world-class organists brought to the Spreckels Organ Pavilion this summer by the Spreckels Organ Society. As with all Spreckels Organ Concerts, Silent Movie Night is free of charge.

Silent Movie Night begins with a twilight warm up of some of Dennis James’ favorite pieces, and as the sun goes down over Balboa Park, evolves into an accompanied silent movie event under the stars.

This year’s movie will be “The Yankee Clipper” starring William Boyd. Film giants D.W. Griffith and Cecil B. DeMille joined forces on this silent saga of maritime rivalry. Bostonian Hal Winslow, played by William Boyd, captains the title ship in a race against a British vessel for China's tea route to America. His journey home from Asia is challenged by storms, a dwindling water supply, a fearful crew and two unexpected passengers demanding to be put off.

For more than thirty years, Dennis James has played a pivotal role in the international revival of silent films presented with live music. Starting as a pianist for university screenings, James now tours worldwide under the auspices of his Silent Film Concerts production company presenting professional silent film screenings with piano, theatre organ, chamber ensemble and full symphony orchestra accompaniments. Performing for films with orchestras since 1971 throughout the USA, Canada, Mexico and Europe, James is renowned for providing the most comprehensive selection of authentic silent films with live music presentations available today.

In a career filled with diverse activities, he has appeared together with such popular film personalities as Vincent Price, Ray Bolger, Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Myrna Loy, Olivia DeHavilland, Ginger Rogers and Fay Wray. He toured throughout the 1980s with silent film stars Lillian Gish and Charles ‘Buddy’ Rogers, providing musical accompaniment on national tour revivals of their motion pictures.

All 2010 Summer International Organ Festival concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and are free of charge. Admission and parking are free, music-loving children and pets are welcome and many concertgoers enjoy picnics in Balboa Park before the concerts. Light snacks, beverages and gifts are available at the pavilion grounds with proceeds benefiting the not-for-profit Spreckels Organ Society.

The 2010 Summer International Organ Festival will close on Monday, August 30 with Jazz Night featuring San Diego Civic Organist Carol Williams and special guests Dave Scott, Bill Shreeve, Mark Hunter and Kevin Koch on August 30.

The Spreckels Organ and Pavilion were a gift from John D. and Adolf Spreckels, of the Spreckels sugar family, and were dedicated and first played on New Year’s Eve, 1914. The Spreckels Organ is the largest outdoor pipe organ in America and is sponsored by the City of San Diego, The Department of Parks and Recreation and the non-profit Spreckels Organ Society who assure that this civic treasure entertains music lovers throughout the year. Afternoon organ concerts by given by Dr. Carol Williams, San Diego Civic Organist and guest artists every Sunday at 2:00 p.m. free of charge.

The not-for-profit Spreckels Organ Society was founded in 1988 with a mission to preserve, program and promote the Spreckels Organ as a world treasure for all people. With over 1,900 members worldwide, and governed by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees, the Society presents free concerts more than 100 free concerts a year and attracts over 100,000 people annually. For more information about the Spreckels Organ Society including a listing of upcoming concerts, visit SOSorgan.org or the Spreckels Organ Society Facebook fan page.

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