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A Capitol Fourth

(Rochester, NY) – Celebrating 35 spectacular years on air, A Capitol Fourth kicks off the country’s 239th birthday with an all-star musical extravaganza that puts viewers front and center for the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation. It airs Saturday, July 4 at 8 p.m. and again at 9:30 p.m. on WXXI-TV. Music legend Barry Manilow will headline the gala anniversary celebration, opening and closing the concert broadcast with a special patriotic medley. Broadcast live on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, the star spangled party will also feature performances by the most successful country music group of all time, Alabama; Grammy nominated singer/songwriter, with more than 70 million album sales, Nicole Scherzinger; five-time Grammy nominee, CMA Award winner and multi-instrumentalist Hunter Hayes; vocal powerhouse Meghan Linsey (“The Voice”); Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum selling band, fronted by the Founder of the Dance Revolution, KC and the Sunshine Band; renowned piano virtuoso Lang Lang; and inspirational classical cross-over global star and Irish tenor Ronan Tynan, with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly. In celebration of American icon Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday, the award-winning actor and jazz vocalist Robert Davi will pay tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes.

The top-rated, award-winning extravaganza features 20 cameras positioned around the city, including the U.S. Capitol, the White House and the Washington Monument. Capping off the show will be a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” 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, Patrick Lundy & The Ministers of Music, the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets, the U.S. Army Ceremonial Band, Members of the Armed Forces carrying the State and Territorial Flags and the Armed Forces Color Guard provided by the Military District of Washington, D.C. 

Pictured: The amazing fireworks display
Credit: Courtesy of Capital Concerts/Keith Lamond via Shutterstock

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