The Santa Barbara Symphony announced on 5/24 that it’s going to have to cancel this year’s free July 4th Pops concert, unless an “angel” were to step forward by 5/28 with a $50,000 gift. The symphony cited a “major decrease in outside funding for the event this year,” saying that the nonprofit is responsible for 80 percent of the event’s $72,000 cost and the that only a major outside contribution will save this year’s installment. Representatives said that by that by cutting the Independence Day celebration, they will prevent potential impacts on the seven-concert Subscription Series or music education programs.
