By Melissa Knific
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Good things come in threes.

Or at least they will this summer with the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops orchestras.

Three pairs of Friday/Saturday concerts make up the Pops Favorites series at Riverbend Music Center, kicking off June 13-14 with "A Gershwin Celebration." Alan Gershwin, the composer's son, will serve as master of ceremonies.

CSO EXPANDS 'BACH'

Under the direction of Jaime Laredo, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra will expand its third season of "Bach and Beyond: A Series of Great Music for Small Orchestra" from three to four concerts. The series will take place June 10, 17 and 24 and July 1 in the refurbished Corbett Auditorium on University of Cincinnati's Clifton campus. Laredo will conduct the first three concerts and perform as violin soloist in the first two. Sarah Ioannides, assistant conductor of CSO, will close the series in her conducting debut with the orchestra.

"Gotta Dance," July 11-12 will include Broadway dancers and local groups, such as Robert Hoffman (a contemporary dancer who has worked with Christina Aguilera, Usher and LeAnn Rimes) and the McGing Irish Dancers. The July 18-19 show, "Timeless Broadway," will include hits from Chicago, Sound of Music, Cats and Phantom of the Opera.

PNC Headliners is a new series of three Saturday evening concerts. Opening the first show on June 28 is legendary singer and songwriter Don McLean. He has won platinum and gold records worldwide and many of his songs, including "American Pie," have landed on pop, country and adult contemporary charts.

On July 5, Three Dog Night will take the stage, performing "Joy to the World" and other pop-rock hits. With 14 gold albums and nine gold singles, the group re-formed in 1981 after a six-year hiatus. Founding members Cory Wells and Danny Hutton on lead vocals, as well as Jimmy Greenspoon (keyboards) and Michael Allsup (guitar) will be joined by Paul Kingery (bass) and Pat Bautz (drums).

Back by popular demand from their Music Hall performance earlier this year, Three Mo' Tenors will conclude the Headliners series on July 26. The African-American tenors (Victor Trent Cook, Rodrick Dixon and Thomas Young) will sing everything from opera to gospel.

CSO at Riverbend

Other events include "Classic Spectaculars: Sundaes with the Symphony at Riverbend" and the Fourth of July concert.

Sundaes is a two-concert, family-oriented series of Sunday evening performances, June 8 and July 20. Each person attending will receive a complimentary ice cream sundae, and lawn admission is free for all children age 12 and younger.

On July 4, conductor John Morris Russell and special guests Judy McLane (vocalist), May Festival Summer Chorus and the Capitol Quartet join together for "An American Celebration." Fireworks again will be part of the holiday festivities.

Subscriptions are on sale. Single tickets go on sale May 19. Only single tickets are sold for the Fourth of July concert. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 381-3300, visit the CSO sales office, 1229 Elm St. (next to Music Hall) or go to www.cincinnatisymphony.org.

E-mail mknific@enquirer.com