A Capitol Fourth 2013

Credit: Courtesy of Fotosearch.com

America’s favorite Independence Day celebration kicks off our country’s 237th birthday. America’s favorite host, two-time Emmy Award-winning television personality Tom Bergeron (DANCING WITH THE STARS) will return to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol to host A Capitol Fourth, Thursday, July 4 at 8 p.m. and again at 10 p.m. on WXXI-TV.The specai stars music legend Barry Manilow, who is back by popular demand following his powerful debut performance on the show in 2009.

Broadcast live on PBS, the biggest and brightest birthday party in the country will also feature performances by: Candice Glover, the Season 12 winner of AMERICAN IDOL; country music artist Scotty McCreery (winner of AMERICAN IDOL); actor and singer Darren Criss (GLEE); musical prodigy and classical crossover star Jackie Evancho; Broadway and television star Megan Hilty (SMASH); Broadway's new hit Motown The  Musical; and five-time Academy Award-winner John Williams conducting music from the Oscar-winning blockbuster LINCOLN; with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly. The 33^rd annual broadcast of A Capitol Fourth airs on PBS before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network.

With twenty cameras positioned around the city, including the U.S. Capitol, the White House and the Washington Monument, viewers are front and center for the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation during this top-rated extravaganza.  Capping off the show will be a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” complete with live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery, an audience favorite and A Capitol Fourth tradition.  Also participating in the event will be the Choral Arts Society of Washington, the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, the U.S. Army Ceremonial Band and the Armed Forces Color Guard provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C.