Sunday: Beethoven & Blue Jeans at Koger Center

The S.C. Philharmonic is improving on a favorite tradition by adding beer and barbecue to its concert Sunday afternoon at the Koger Center for the Arts.

For more than a decade, audiences have enjoyed the annual Beethoven & Blue Jeans concert. Last year, the event turned into an Oktoberfest celebration featuring beer and German sausages before the concert.

“People love when we offer themed food options because it turns a concert into an event,” said Jason Rapp, communication director for the S.C. Philharmonic. “We couldn’t use that theme again with the concert in November this season, but we knew we wanted beer again. With all the B-words, barbecue was a clear, natural choice.”

Aside from the convenience of alliteration, the addition of barbecue was a “can’t-miss mash-up,” Rapp said. “It has an unparalleled place in Southern culture, and Beethoven & Blue Jeans is always a best seller for us, giving it prominence in the local arts culture.”

Despite the fact that the S.C. Philharmonic does not have an audience dress code for any concert, part of the appeal of Beethoven & Blue Jeans is the casual atmosphere. Even the musicians wear jeans onstage for this performance.

Tickets for the 4 p.m. performance range from $17-$47, available at Koger Center.

Bridget Wilson, Special to The State

This story was originally published November 14, 2015 at 11:58 PM.