Popular Concert will be hosted by Univision reporter Mayra Zavala and will feature Brazilian singer Téka

This year, the San Luis Obispo Symphony’s end of summer extravaganza will be heading south of the border with a fabulous fiesta for the entire family. 

Every Labor Day weekend, the SLO Symphony turns a golf course into a concert hall for a family-friendly, community concert event that has become a Central Coast tradition. 

On Sept. 5, Maestro Michael Nowak and the SLO Symphony will present the 19th Annual Pops by the Sea concert at the Avila Beach Golf Resort.

Gates open at 2:30 p.m. with a pre-concert family festival offering everything from a musical petting zoo for children to Latin dancing demonstrations for all ages. The concert will begin at 4 p.m. and it’s going to be a HOT, HOT, HOT Latin music-filled party at the beach.

Brazilian singer and guitarist Téka will join the orchestra for a sizzling concert of summer salsa, tropical tango, racy rumbas and more.

The musical program will include such popular Latin tunes as La Bamba, La Cumprecita, Girl from Ipanema, Tequila, Hernando’s Hideaway, Tico, Tico and more. A Salsa band made up of some of the area’s finest musicians will also join in during the second half of the concert just to make sure we don’t miss a beat.

About Téka

Téka is an artist with her roots firmly planted in the traditions of Brazilian music…the samba, bossa nova, and choro.

Born into a musical family, singing was a natural part of growing up in Brazil. From an early age, Téka fell under the spell of American Jazz and began soaking up the sounds of Sarah Vaughan, Billy Holiday and Frank Sinatra.

Today she makes her home on the Central Coast and her music has become a fusion of the sensual rhythms and harmonies of Brazil with the improvisation of jazz, which she has coined, New Bossa.

Mistress of Ceremonies

In keeping with our Latin theme, our fabulous hostess for this year’s Pops concert will be Mayra Zavala, a local reporter for Univision 38. 

Mayra will welcome the crowd in both Spanish and English and continue to guide us through the activities of the day, including:

• The Maestro’s traditional surprise entrance
• The Grand Prize Drawing of Great California Getaways
• The Maestro’s Baton Auction with auctioneer Gil Stork
• Prizes for our Pedal to Pops participants
• And more!

Party Table seating starts at $25 per person and tickets are available by calling the Symphony office at (805) 543-3533.

Bring a beach chair for Lawn Seating and the price is only $15 with a $3 discount for groups of 10 or more. And remember, at Pops by the Sea, kids 14 and under are always absolutely free. 

Pedal to Pops: Patrons can also save gas, save money and save the planet by getting out their bikes and "Pedaling to Pops!"

Riding a bike earns a $3 discount for lawn seating and a chance to win prizes from local bike shops. 

Lawn seating tickets are available in the San Luis Obispo Visitor Center, 1039 Chorro St. in downtown San Luis Obispo or online www.slosymphony.com.

For more information, please call the Symphony at (805) 543-3533 or visit www.slosymphony.com.