This Thursday, August 23, the Culver City Orchestra wraps up its summer-long series of outdoor concerts at Burton Chace Park in Marina del Rey with their presentation of "Russians There and Here."

Serge Rachmaninov, Russian born, fled the Communists, and lived out his life in Beverly Hills. The program has his "Symphony No. 2," one of his most lyrical and beloved works. George Gershwin, born in New York City, was of Russian-Jewish heritage. The brilliant violinist Lindsay Deutsch returns to the Marina concerts with her arrangement for violin and orchestra of Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," a work which has become a rhapsody for this nation. To represent the U.S. John Adams' "The Chairman Dances, Foxtrot for orchestra" from "Nixon in China" fills the bill. The orchestra's conductor is Frank Fetta.

The show begins at 7:00 pm, but you should arrive early. These events are very popular. Bring a blanket for the grass, or short lawn chair. Also, these concerts are right on the water and can get chilly -- so bring a jacket. 

Burton Chace Park is located at 13650 Mindanao Way in Marina del Rey. Call (310) 305-9545 for more information.