Special to the Herald
SAVANNAH -- Plant Riverside District and the Teutonic Council of Savannah present Uni-Big Band Halle live in concert on Oct. 4, beginning at 7 p.m. in Martin Luther King, Jr. Park., on Savannah’s historic riverfront at 400 W. River St. This free outdoor concert will officially kick off the 2023 Oktoberfest festivities at Plant Riverside District and will feature talented musicians from Halle, Germany, which is Savannah’s “sister city.”
Founded in 1993 by conductor and director Hartmut Reszel, the internationally acclaimed Uni-Big Band Halle features students and teachers from Martin Luther University in Halle and Wittenberg, Germany. The band specializes in big band-style jazz, pop standards, and original compositions and has performed worldwide.
“We’re thrilled to bring this incredibly talented band from Halle, Germany to Savannah, Georgia for their Hostess City debut as part of our annual Oktoberfest celebration,” said Scotty Henley, director of entertainment at JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District. “We warmly invite everyone to enjoy this exciting free concert at Plant Riverside District and to learn more about German music, history, and culture.”
Savannah Mayor Van Johnson will introduce Uni-Big Band Halle Conductor/Director Reszel and reflections on Savannah’s ongoing relationship with Halle, Germany.
The Teutonic Council of Savannah was founded in February, 2014 after a sold-out concert of G.F. Händel’s Messiah, presented by the Savannah Philharmonic and a group of soloists from the Halle, Germany State Opera. The concert was such a success that it prompted a meeting of Savannah and Halle city officials, as well as members of three German cultural societies: the German Heritage Society (GHS), the German Friendly Society (GFS) and the Georgia Salzburger Society (GSS). The outcome of this meeting was the unanimous decision to encourage and support the planning of similar cultural exchange events between the sister cities and the German-speaking countries in general and to form a new organization focused on this mission. The Teutonic Council of Savannah organizes various academic exchanges as well as cultural and musical events.
“Deepening Savannah’s relationship with Halle, Germany has been rich and rewarding on many levels,” said James N. Anderson, Ph.D., vice president of the Teutonic Council of Savannah. “We’re delighted to bring such a talented big band to Plant Riverside District for an unforgettable concert.”
This special live performance at Plant Riverside District is sponsored by The Halle Foundation of Atlanta, which was founded by former Coca-Cola President Claus Halle and focuses on supporting German-American relations in the state of Georgia.
The 2023 Oktoberfest celebration at Plant Riverside District will run from Oct. 4-28 and will include special German-themed activities, food, and family-friendly fun on Saturdays from 1-4 p.m.
