Wed. July 4

What are you doing on America's birthday? Here, in Boston, we've got the country's most celebrated - and nationally broadcast - music + fireworks thing going: The Boston Pops, conducted by Keith Lockhart, on the Esplanade, with this year's "rock" artist being that bastion of the American heartland, John Mellencamp. Good linkage. Assuming you're going to watch it - and, really, do you have another two choice: Join half a million or so other folks, get there at the crack of dawn, stake out blanket space, and sweat it out until the 8:30 p.m. show. And be part of the festivities! Live! Hey, we've done it a few times. We're going to be there this year, though, probably in some  press-sequestered area. If you don't want to wage the battle for lawn supremacy, you can watch WBZ-TV Channel 4's coverage from 8 to 10 p.m. (That's after a 7 p.m. show called "The American Spirit," hosted by Paula Ebben and Scott Wahle.) Then, at 10, CBS nationwide (same channel here) picks up it for a concentrated "best of" hour. It’s difficult, Lockhart told us, in terms of “shaping the program, saying ‘Now, give us your best ten seconds,’’’ Still, the exposure can’t be beat and Lockhart says, “it’s a two-edged sword. We’re the only orchestra with a real broad national constituency because of the Fourth of July and the public celebration. We call ourselves 'America’s Orchestra.'"
 Also, the Pops 4th show features the winner of the nationwide talent search – a rather blatant “American Idol” rip-off to get the public involved.  Hey, it generates interest. “This aping of TV shows is so out of control,” admits Lockhart. “What’s next ‘America’s Best New Pharmacist?’ We’re watchng people fall over themselves to think of new reality shows.”
Still, of the Pops contestants still in the mix, he says, “Based on what I’ve heard, it’s a strong group.” (Lockhart told us this before the winner was announced last week: She is Maria Perry, winning with her rendition of "Not While I'm Around" from "Sweeney Todd." She's not a local. This year, the Pops opened up their PopSearch thing nationally to youtube.com and the 52-year-old fitness instructor from Kansis City, Missouri won that way.
Joining the Esplanade Orchestra and Mellencamp - expect "Small Town," "Jack and Diane" and "This is Our Country" - will be that well known American patriot Craig Ferguson. Nah, that's a joke. Craig's the Scottish comic/actor who landed "The Late, Late Show" on CBS and has, of late, been kvetching about not having gotten citizenship. So, various mayors and governors have been sending in documents granting him honorory citizenship of their respective spots. Just a wild guess? He get's Boston citizenship from Mayor Menino or state-wise citizenship from Deval Patrick.
Look the "Fourth of July Extravaganza" is no picnic (though you should bring one) and you must consider all the lead-up and then trying to get home among the throngs.  But the  music and 25 minutes of fireworks - they seem to get better every year - will stir something with you. And if you like having those emotions stirred with hundreds of thousands of others, stake that spot as close to the Hatch Shell as you can, as early as you can. It is, of course, free.

Storrow Drive, www.july4th.org