Muncie Symphony Orchestra headlined a music festival at Minnetrista Cultural Center Wednesday night that attracted nearly 500 audience members.
Starting at 7 p.m., the concert featured five performances representing a wide spectrum of music and dance.
The TraZom Trio of Pianoforte Inc. were the first to perform. Alluding to the composer himself, the band used the name "Mozart" spelled backwards as its name. The band played an original composition as well as a compilation of Beatles songs.
A belly dancing troupe performed with a more contemporary feel. Four dancers entertained the crowd with their eye-catching, beaded outfits and finger cymbals. They also interacted with the crowd.
Ball State University sophomore Merissa Miller, who sat on the lawn near the aisle, was swept off her feet by one of the dancers.
"That was so neat," Miller said after the performance. "I want to look up the belly dancing club on campus and join it."
The Magic City Music Men were up next. In a style similar to a barbershop quartet, the men sang a collection of songs, including "A Good Luck Charm" and "Slow Boat to China."
Before performing "You Raise Me Up," a group member thanked God and his groupmates. After battling with obesity, he recently had bariatric surgery. He said that during his struggles, the group was very supportive.
"These guys are really neat people to get to know," the singer said. "I consider them family. This song touches my faith and has a double meaning for me [because] these guys literally lift me up."
Then the Muncie Ballet Studio Children's Ballet Theatre, a younger group of performers, took the stage. They danced on point to music titled "Aquarium."
At 8:15 p.m., the headlining performance began. Muncie Symphony Orchestra played a suite composed by Gustav Holst called "The Planets." Ronald Kaitchuck, director of the Ball State Planetarium and Observatory, narrated the performance with astronomical facts and astrological myths about the planets.
To entertain younger viewers, the Summer Stage Fest included an "Instrument Petting Zoo" during the performances, allowing children to try out various symphony instruments, such as violins and saxophones.
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