CONCERT TO OFFER VIENNESE MOTIF.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writer

A first-of-its-kind New Year's Eve concert will take place at the Civic Arts Plaza on Tuesday, an idea thought up by the Conejo Pops Orchestra to provide entertainment Viennese-style.

``The theme is `New Year's Eve Night in Vienna' with a performance just like they do at New Year's balls in Vienna. There will be polkas and waltzes and demonstration dancers,'' said Bonnie Boss, manager of the Conejo Pops Orchestra. ``We'll have as guests professional ballroom dancers, and a soprano and tenor will sing.''

The concert came about after Elmer Ramsey, the orchestra's musical director, visited Vienna in 1989 as part of a tour with a chamber orchestra.

``My wife and I stayed on and heard a lot of Viennese concerts,'' Ramsey said. ``I wanted to do something like that here but I never had the time. I like putting things together like that.''

Recently, the orchestra surveyed audiences during annual performances at Conejo Community Park and found that people wanted to hear the group year-round, Boss said.

``There was a huge response from people saying they wanted more,'' Boss said.

And since the area has never had an orchestra performance for New Year's Eve, Ramsey thought that would be a perfect evening for a new event, Boss said.

Ramsey founded the Pops Orchestra during the summer of 1973. It provided members of the Conejo Symphony Orchestra with the opportunity to play year-round. Ramsey was the Symphony Orchestra's music director and resident conductor.

The event has been scheduled at an ideal time for revelers who want to ring in the New Year at friends' parties or for those who would prefer to go to bed at a reasonable hour, Boss said.

``The show will get out at 10 or 10:30, so if they want an early evening, they can go to dinner before,'' Boss said. ``Or they can go out after and have a good time with friends and family. Both kinds of people can do something they want to do.''

The Conejo Pops Orchestra has been performing for the Conejo Recreation and Park District's summer concert series for 25 years. They typically play July 4 and Labor Day, Boss said.

``They're big concerts. People just come in droves for those,'' Boss said. ``It's so crowded that you can't see the green lawn in between the people.''

Ramsey said he enjoys performing for celebrations.

``I really like special occasions. The Fourth of July, patriotism, all that Americana. I really like that,'' he said.

Tickets for the New Year's Eve event, at the Probst Center at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, cost $10 to $35. They can be purchased at the Civic Arts Plaza box office, or by calling (805) 449-ARTS.

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Photo

Photo: (SIMI only) Elmer Ramsey

Conejo Pops musical director