ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCES THE 2001 CLASSIC CHASTAIN SUMMER SERIES

Ray Charles, Buena Vista Social Club, B-52's, B.B. King, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Tony Bennett, The Chieftains, Mary Chapin Carpenter, & George Benson Among Featured Performers during Classic Chastain's 28th Season

ATLANTA- - The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra today announced the 2001 schedule for its summer music series, Classic Chastain. The 28th season of the Atlanta Symphony's signature summer presentation will run from Friday, June 15, through Saturday, August 25, and include over 30 artists from virtually every musical genre, a third of whom will be in concert with the Grammy Award-winning ASO.

Scheduled to appear are some of today's leading performers including industry icons and multiple Grammy winners. Returning guests include Ray Charles, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Wynonna, Boney James, David Sanborn and Tony Bennett. Making their Classic Chastain debuts will be Cuba's celebrated ensemble, the Buena Vista Social Club, Athens' own B-52's, world music sensation Cesaria Evora, and adult contemporary stars Jim Brickman and Michael W. Smith.

"Best Entertainment Package In Town"This season's lineup "underscores why Classic Chastain is annually named Atlanta's favorite concert experience," said Chastain Director Rudi Schlegel. "In addition to what is arguably the best array of talent we have ever presented, Classic Chastain is the only summer series to feature the Grammy Award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. When you add in our moderate prices, unrivaled comfort level, and value-added amenities, it is clear why Classic Chastain remains the best entertainment package in town."

www.classicchastain.org
Classic Chastain's new, dedicated website, www.classicchastain.org, is another advantage for concert-goers, according to Mr. Schlegel. "The site billboards all concerts with photos of the artists, their biographies, and programs as well as ticket availability. It also features a Chastain seating chart.

Amenities
For the last 27 years, Atlantans have packed their picnic baskets to enjoy an evening of music and dining under the stars at Chastain Park. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra prides itself in providing the highest caliber hospitality for its patrons with outstanding food service for all concerts through its in-house caterers, Glorious Events and Proof of the Pudding.

On-site concessions also offer an impressive array of food and beverage for patrons to enjoy while toasting the evening's concerts. Again this year, convenient porter service is available for patrons needing assistance with their picnic items. Catering information will be mailed to patrons with concert tickets.

Smoking Policy
Shows produced by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at Chastain this season will continue to be smoke-free, with the exception of smoking in designated non-seating areas. This policy conforms to municipal regulations and is in response to requests from concert patrons.

Subscription Packages

Classic Chastain subscriptions are now available. Subscribers save up to 15% off the single ticket price and receive priority seating. Packages of four- and eight-concert individual subscriptions are available, as is the opportunity for patrons to create their own five-concert series, "Take Five," offering flexible scheduling. For subscription tickets, stop by the ASO Season Tickets Office at 1293 Peachtree Street, 4th Floor, Monday-Friday 9 AM-5 PM, call the Subscriber Hotline at 404-733-4800, or visit the ASO website at www.ClassicChastain.org.

Wednesday Series - 8 Concerts
Pit Table $2,187
Terrace Table $2,055
Seats $70 - $1484
Concert Half Series $70 - $148

Friday Series - 8 Concerts
Pit Table $2,526
Terrace Table $2,406
Seats $78 - $1684
Concert Half Series $78 - $168

Saturday Series - 8 Concerts
Pit Table $2,496
Terrace Table $2,376
Seats $78 - $1684
Concert Half Series $78 - $168

Country Series - 4 Concerts
Pit Table $1,278
Terrace Table $1,218
Seats $83 - $172

Take Five Subscription
5-concert package $115 - $230

Tables of six are available for both the Classic Chastain and the Country Chastain series.

Parking
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is again pleased to offer our subscribers the opportunity to purchase nearby reserved parking. The cost to reserve parking is $48/car for an 8-concert Classic Chastain package and $24/car for a 4-concert Classic Chastain or Country Chastain subscription. We encourage patrons to reserve parking when purchasing subscriptions, as these requests are filled on a first-come, first served basis. Parking coupons will be mailed in May with concert tickets.

Single Tickets
Single tickets go on sale on May 19th at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office (1280 Peachtree Street at 15th St) and through all Ticketmaster outlets (including area Publix Supermarkets). For single ticket information, call 404-733-5000 or Ticketmaster at 404-249-6400, or visit the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chastain website at www.ClassicChastain.org.

Group Tickets
Priority seating and discounted tickets are available for groups of 15 or more. Also, Club Chastain, a special pre-concert area is available for rent for before and even during concerts. Featuring private air-conditioned bathrooms, a private cash bar, video monitors to watch the action on stage, and tents in case of inclement weather, Club Chastain can accommodate private parties from 15 to 300,and group discounts are available. Club Chastain is located to the left of the concert stage, next to the in-house catering pick-up areas. Call the ASO Group Sales Office at 404-733-4848 for more details.

History of Excellence
The ASO's Classic Chastain series at Chastain Park Amphitheater, which began as a modest "Encore" series in the early 1970's, has become the centerpiece of Atlanta's summer social and entertainment season. Each season, the Classic Chastain series features the Atlanta Symphony appearing with world-class entertainers. Last summer the ASO presented 30 concerts in the 6,000-seat venue before more than 125,000 patrons.

For the seventh consecutive year, Chastain Park Amphitheater has been ranked among the top ten grossing amphitheaters in the United States by Performance magazine. The Classic Chastain and Country Chastain series are the only summer concerts at Chastain which feature the widely acclaimed Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

A complete concert calendar listing follows.

The Summer Music Series of the Atlanta Symphony OrchestraClassic Chastain 2001 Concert Series

Fri, June 15, 7:30 PM Wynonna
Wed, June 20, 8:00 PM Ray Charles plus the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Wed, June 20, 8:00 PM Ray Charles plus the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Sat, June 23, 8:00 PM Edwin McCain with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Wed, June 27, 8:00 PM Boney James
Fri, June 29, 7:30 PM Buena Vista Social Club and Richard Bona
Sat, June 30, 7:30 PM The Neville Brothers with Kidjo
Fri, July 6, 8:00 PM Chieftains and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Sat, July 7, 8:00 PM Michael W. Smith with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Wed, July 11, 8:00 PM Cesaria Evora and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Fri, July 13, 7:30 PM Jonny Lang & Indigenous
Sat, July 14, 7:30 PM Vince Gill and Nickel Creek
Wed, July 18, 7:30 PM Rhythm of Love: Will Downing, Chanté Moore, Jonathan Butler
Fri, July 20, 8:00 PM Tony Bennett with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Sat, July 21, 7:00 PM Island Jam: Baha Men, Maxie Priest & Friends
Wed, July 25, 7:30 PM Emmylou Harris
Fri, July 27, 8:30 PM The Temptations and The Four Tops
Sat, July 28, 8:30 PM The Temptations and The Four Tops
Wed, August 1, 7:30 PM Wild Flowers: Judy Collins, Richie Havens, Janis Ian
Fri, August 3, 7:30 PM Mary Chapin Carpenter & Beausoleil
Sat, August 4, 6:30 PM Hot Summer Nights: Al Jarreau, George Duke, Rachelle Ferrell
Wed, August 8, 7:30 PM Bruce Hornsby
Fri, August 10, 8:00 PM Pointer Sisters
Sat, August 11, 7:30 PM The B-52's
Wed, August 15, 7:30 PM Keb' Mo', Bela Fleck & The Flecktones
Fri, August 17, 8:30 PM Jim Brickman with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Sat, August 18, 8:00 PM YES with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Wed, August 22, 8:00 PM David Sanborn and Joe Sample
Fri, August 24, 6:30 PM B.B. King Blues Music Festival: B.B. King, Buddy Guy, John Hiatt
Sat, August 25, 6:30 PM B.B. King Blues Music Festival: B.B. King, Buddy Guy, John Hiatt

All artists subject to change

Concert prices are $22 to $372
Individual concert tickets go on sale Saturday, May 19th at 10 AM through the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office 404-733-5000, all Ticketmaster outlets, or online at www.ClassicChastain.org.

Presenting sponsors BellSouth, Coca-Cola, Wachovia & Worldspan.
Starbucks is the official coffee of Classic Chastain.
Sam Adams, America's World Class Beer, is the preferred beer of Classic Chastain.