Park City Institute to Present Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik at Deer Valley Resort

Platinum-selling recording artist John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting returns to the St. Regis Big Stars, Bright Nights Concert Series, on the Deer Valley Resort stage, Saturday, August 26, 2017. Ondrasik will perform with a string quartet.

"John's shows come with an element of surprise," said PCI Executive Director Teri Orr. "Last time, the crowd wanted to dance, so he pushed aside his set list to cover some party favorites. This time, with the string quartet, he'll delve into his catalog in a new and different way. And we know he'll have plenty of stories to tell."

The idea to tour with a string quartet came after Ondrasik played with a few different symphony orchestras around the country.

"It was reinvigorating and exciting for me," Ondrasik said. "I have the good fortune to play with some world-class musicians and add songs that I usually don't play with the rock band, including some brand-new songs."

With over 2.5 million albums sold, including the platinum America Town, and The Battle for Everything, Ondrasik's infectious singles like his #1 hit, "Superman (It's Not Easy), and "100 Years," created instant nostalgia. The California native, who grew up the son of a piano teacher mother and an astrophysicist father, has interests that straddle the worlds of art and science. He has spoken at the Salk Institute and TED, and contributed a special performance for NASA to commemorate the conclusion of the Space Shuttle Mission. A regular USO performer, Ondrasik has given away a million copies of a five-volume compilation album (featuring himself and other artists) he created for United States troops. The inveterate hockey fan (Five For Fighting refers to the hockey penalty) has also served as a sports commentator for a variety of media outlets.

Expect a memorable evening that adds a different dimension to his music-and, perhaps, your worldview.

Tickets for this show start at $41 (lawn) and $56 (reserved). Gates open at 5:30 PM and the show begins at 7. For tickets, call 435-655-3114 or visit parkcityinstitute.org In-person purchases may be made at The Mega Genius Supply Store and IQ HQ, 435 Swede Alley, or the Deer Valley Signatures Store, 625 Main Street.

Membership and sponsorship information can be found at parkcityinstitute.org, or by calling the box office.

Park City Institute is a non-profit organization, dedicated to bringing world-class performances and new ideas to the community. Since 1998, PCI has presented internationally renowned and cutting-edge musicians, actors, authors, comedians, dancers, speakers and film at The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Center for the Performing Arts (a joint-use facility with the Park City School District). The organization will embark on its 14th season of headliner concerts at Deer Valley Resort, this summer. PCI is dedicated to introducing young people to the arts through free student outreach workshops. Since 2010, PCI has offered a free after-school literacy program to students in grades one through 12 at the thinky and engaging retail-fronted tutoring hub, the Mega-Genius Supply Store and IQ HQ (located at 435 Swede Alley in Old Town). The organization continues to illuminate with Curiosities evenings and thoughtful salons.

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