Written by Sason Bishope Parry
What better way to celebrate America’s birthday and Independence Day than with San Francisco’s favorite orchestra: the SF Symphony. This beloved annual tradition has long been touted as one of the best ways to enjoy the 4th of July in the Bay Area, and this year was no exception. The Shoreline Amphitheatre was buzzing with energy from the moment the gates opened. This massive venue was absolutely packed to the rim with revelers, families, music lovers, and 4th of July enthusiasts of all ages, everyone eager to celebrate under the open summer sky. Picnic blankets, glow sticks, flags, kids dancing in the aisles, it was a classic Northern California summer scene with a uniquely grand, symphonic twist.
The night got underway with the charismatic conductor and producer Edwin Outwater, who knows exactly how to work a crowd. He brought a vibrant, welcoming energy to the stage, cracking jokes, hyping up the audience, and setting the perfect mood as he led the Symphony through the opening numbers. Even with that cool, chilly breeze rolling in, as it always does in the Bay Area, the vibe was electric. You just knew it was going to be a magical evening.
This year’s special guest headliner was a treat straight from the beautiful islands of Hawaii: ukulele virtuoso Taimane Gardner. She was the perfect mix of classical finesse, pop sensibility, rock attitude, and, believe it or not, heavy metal grit. Yes, heavy metal on a ukulele. I’ll get to that in a moment. Her band was fantastic. Taimane herself was captivating on vocals and ukulele, joined by Rachel Look on vocals and acoustic guitar, Melissa Folzenlogan on vocals and violin, and the absolutely fantastic Puerto Rican percussionist Stefie Dominguez on cajón drum.
Taimane even brought along a male dancer from the islands, whose powerful, traditional moves added rich cultural depth to the performance and left the crowd in awe. They kicked things off with a series of originals that were nothing short of enchanting and soothing, transporting you right to a beach in Maui, mai tai in hand, toes in the sand. Taimane’s ukulele playing was jaw-dropping: lightning-fast fingers, pitch-perfect precision, and a deep, emotional connection to every note. Her technical mastery was evident as she played with soul, style, and pure joy.
The band shone equally bright. Each musician got their moment in the spotlight with soulful solos and jam sessions that felt both spontaneous and polished. But it was Stefie Dominguez who arguably stole the show in moments, her fiery energy on percussion paired beautifully with Taimane’s strings. When the two traded blistering solos, it turned into a dynamic, pulse-pounding fusion that had fans leaping to their feet, cheering and clapping along.
But the true highlight came toward the end of her set, when Taimane unleashed a medley of rock and heavy metal classics that brought the house down. From Led Zeppelin to Metallica, and best of all, System of a Down’s “Aerials”, which she not only played masterfully but sang with power and conviction. It was explosive, raw, and utterly captivating. It wasn’t just a ukulele concert; it was a rock show with heart and Hawaiian soul.
When Taimane and her band left the stage to massive applause, it was time for Outwater and the SF Symphony to turn on the classical heat. And they did, with an epic, goosebump-inducing rendition of Star Wars just as the night sky exploded into color. The timing was perfect, every crescendo of John Williams’ score matched to the rhythmic bursts of fireworks overhead. The fireworks show itself was one of the best I’ve ever seen, an ocean of color that danced across the black sky in perfect sync with the music.
I’ll admit, as a vegan and animal lover, I’m not a fan of the loud bangs and wish there were a way to get all that color without the terrifying noise for our animal friends. It’s one of their worst days of the year. But even I had to marvel at the beauty of it all, the finale was as grand and dazzling as any I’ve witnessed. Overall, it was an incredible show from start to finish, a truly epic way to celebrate one of the year’s biggest holidays. Judging by the smiles on the faces of young and old, everyone had an unforgettable night. The only real challenge was the massive traffic jams heading out. But honestly, that’s just a testament to the popularity of this fantastic annual event.
If you’ve never been, well, there’s always next year. And trust me, this is one 4th of July tradition you absolutely must experience at least once. It’s San Francisco, it’s the Symphony, it’s fireworks, it’s music, it’s community, it’s celebration, it’s everything that makes summer in the Bay Area truly special.
For more info on the SF Symphony, go to: www.sfsymphony.com
For more info on Taimane, go to: www.taimane.com
