"Keeping their tough promise to bring the noise, the funk and a slew of musical diversity, the Kimmel Center makes good with the ... Summer Solstice Celebration." (City Paper)

The Summer Solstice Celebration sizzles with an all day and all night musical extravaganza! Family friendly performances are followed by a mix of classical, blues, gospel, R&B, jazz, folk, dance, Latin, world music, and more. Music and events are drawn from the deep resources of the Philadelphia talent pool. In addition to the scheduled performances, visitors can enjoy games, exercises, jugglers, chair massages, face-painting and more!

The Kimmel Center's award-winning caterers Restaurant Associates will have food stations set up throughout the building, including a special barbeque on the Cadence Restaurant terrace featuring Grilled Tuna with Summer Salad and Crab Cake with Mango Salad from 3pm - midnight!

Schedule of Events
Events are listed in chronological order. Check back often as artists will continue to be added.
> View a printable schedule grid featuring links to artist websites!

	Kimmel Center Youth Jazz Ensemble

3pm | Verizon Hall | Jazz
Kimmel Center Youth Jazz Ensemble
The only regional jazz ensemble comprised exclusively of middle school students introduces a professional-level musical experience to gifted young artists. Led by music director Steve Selfridge.

3pm | Commonwealth Plaza Stage | Family
PNC Grow Up Great: Give and Take Jugglers
Like an old-fashioned vaudeville variety act, juggling routines are performed with everything from bowling balls to frying pans with an egg. Lots of comedy, and lots of audience involvement will be yours to enjoy. A lively and wholesome show that feels fresh for all ages.

3pm | Commonwealth Plaza | Family
Zoo On Wheels
Traveling naturalists from the Philadelphia Zoo bring animals and bio-facts for an educational and exciting encounter with wildlife.

3pm | Innovation Studio | Family
Games
Fun and games abound! Bowling, hopscotch, tic-tac-toe ... and so much more! Bring your game face and join the fun.

	Pay to Play

4pm | Verizon Hall
Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ
Pay to Play
$25/minute, $75/5-minutes, $100/6-minutes
This is a memorable opportunity to make Verizon Hall’s rafters shake with glorious thunder and a chance to pull out all the stops on the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ—no training required—from "Chopsticks" to Bach to your favorite single note. Sign up when you arrive at Solstice—first come first served. Pay to Play must end at 6pm. Stay to the end to hear organist H.L. Smith give the Cooper organ a run for its money.

4pm | Perelman Theater | Dance
Rennie Harris Puremovement
Founded in 1992 by North Philadelphia native Rennie Harris, RHPM celebrates diversity and preserves and disseminates hip-hop culture by educating, mentoring, and performing. RHPM's work encompasses rich and diverse African-American traditions of the past while simultaneously presenting the voice of a new generation.

4pm | Commonwealth Plaza Stage | Family
PNC Grow Up Great: Ollin Yoliztli Calmecac

	Tonia Tecce

Founded in 2003 by Daniel Chico Lorenzo and Brujo de la Mancha, Ollin Yoliztli Calmecac is dedicated to sharing and celebrating indigenous Aztec dance and music.

4pm | Rendell Room | Classical
Tonia Tecce
Lyric soprano Tonia Tecce has performed solo recitals at Carnegie Hall and the Kimmel Center, as well as being featured with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops®. Tonight's program will include Italian and French opera arias and musical theater songs from Rodgers & Hart, and George & Ira Gershwin and others.

4:30pm | Innovation Studio | Family
Disney's
High School Musical Karaoke
Get'cha head in the game! Sing the songs you know and love from the musical that has taken America by storm.

5pm | Perelman Theater | Dance
Miro Dance Theatre: Hurdy Gurdy
With a title inspired by a recurring dream of composer Gustav Mahler, this show—premiered at the 2005 Live Arts Festival, and performed by Miro co-founder Amanda Miller with video by her co-founder Tobin Rothlein—submerges you in old dreams and new realities as time and perspective is turned on its head in the spaces where Mahler¹s story intersects with our modern day.

	Bubboon's Tunes

5pm | Commonwealth Plaza Stage | Family
Bubboon's Tunes
They're back! The silly-song duo Bubboon's Tunes perform their favorite hits, including "The Cheese Song," voted #1 by listeners of WXPN's Kid's Corner 3 years in a row!

5pm | Rendell Room
Mascaro-Newman Flute & Guitar Duo
Veronica Mascaro and William Newman have performed in the US and in Europe. The duo will present a lively mixture of contemporary compositions from the Americas including music by Heitor Villa-Lobos and Astor Piazzolla.

6pm | Hamilton Garden
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Flower arranging demonstrations, and gardening tips from Toni Ann Flanigan, owner of Philadelphia Garden, Inc. and winner of Best of Philly Award (2006) for Urban Garden Designer.

6:30pm | Perelman Theater | New Classical
Opera Company of Philadelphia
Hip H'Opera
The Opera Company of Philadelphia is proud to be joined by young artists from the Art Sanctuary’s North Stars after school program for Hip H’Opera, a program that celebrates the urban experience within a classical music setting. Hip H’Opera fuses student hip-hop poems with the classical music of noted area composers Jay Fluellen, Rolando Morales-Matos, and Monnette Sudler. Performers include tenor Don LeRoy Morales, mezzo-soprano LaTasha Morris, bass Frank Mitchell, soprano Evelyn Santiago-Schultz, soprano Julie-Ann Whitely, and pianist José Meléndez.

	Melody Gardot

6:30pm | Commonwealth Plaza Stage | Singer-songwriter
Melody Gardot
At 22, singer-songwriter Melody Gardot has a hauntingly smooth voice that can melt even the coldest of hearts. She has performed with such notable acts as Livingston Taylor, The Wood Brothers, Susan Tedeschi, James Hunter, and more.

6:30pm | Innovation Studio | World/Dance
The Sangeet Society
The Sangeet Society is a non-profit cultural organization that promotes and fosters appreciation of Hindustani classical music and dance.

7pm | Rendell Room
Gene Coleman and Soundfield
Soundfield is a producer and presenter of new and experimental music, with a strong emphasis on international cultural exchange.

	taragirl

7:30pm | Verizon Hall | R&B
taragirl
The Philadelphia Daily News says of R&B/soul singer taragirl, "...she breaks down the trials of her life in a compelling nature. You can see her performing... in a dimly lit, smoke-filled jazz house or hip urban club. Her voice is that versatile."

7:30pm | Commonwealth Plaza Stage | Singer-songwriter
Cynthia G. Mason
Singer-songwriter Cynthia G. Mason's haunting voice, razor-sharp insight and delicate guitar work create a mood of melancholy and hope. From 1996 to 2003, Mason was a mainstay in the Philadelphia indie scene, and, has now has reemerged with a sharper sound and new songs.

8pm | Innovation Studio | Jazz
Dena Underwood Trio

	Carol Riddick

Nostalgic jazz standards with local chanteuse Dena Underwood, accompanied by guitarist Greg Snyder and Patrick Hughes on trumpet.

8pm | Cadence Restaurant | Fashion
Daffy's Fashion Show
Check out the latest summer trends for women from Daffy’s! Established in 1961, Daffy's has become known for making designer brands accessible to all consumers, and is a popular spot for Philadelphia shoppers.

8:15pm | Verizon Hall | Singer-songwriter
Carol Riddick
This sultry singer-songwriter got her start touring with Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff and has recently released her inspirational debut solo album Moments Like This.

8:30pm | Commonwealth Plaza Stage | Singer-songwriter
Red Heart the Ticker
Red Heart the Ticker is the musical home of Robin MacArthur and Tyler Gibbons (formerly Mildew and Star.) Paste Magazine says, "The pair's songs (reminiscent of both Gillian Welch and Will Oldham) are dim and haunting, full of winter melancholy, wispy melodies and plans for escape."

	Charles Curtis

8:30pm | Rendell Room | New Classical
bowerbird presents
Morton Feldman: Patterns in a Chromatic Field (1981)
Presenting innovative contemporary culture, bowerbird presents composer Morton Feldman's Patterns in a Chromatic Field, with Charles Curtis on cello and Aleck Karis on piano. "Feldman subsumes the cello and piano duo tradition with a fresh agenda." —The Wire, London

9pm | Perelman Theater | Swing Dance
Joe Midiri Sextet
"Perfect in recreating/creating an atmosphere of the swing era in an honest, entertaining manner" Joe Midiri is perfect on clarinet." —Lee Prosser, Jazzreview.com

	The Chance Trio

9pm | Innovation Studio | Jazz
Chance Trio
The Chance Trio—trumpet player Bart Miltenberger, guitarist Matt Davis, and bassist Michael Taylor—has performed original compositions and eclectic covers throughout the Philadelphia area and beyond since 2001. "An unusual and striking trio" —Philadelphia Inquirer

9pm | Hamilton Garden
Yoga & Tarot Card Readings

9:15pm | Verizon Hall | R&B
Lady Alma
With the City Paper 2002 Best Female Vocalist award and Temple University’s 2004 Sisters Defining Sisters Award for Artistic Excellence, Lady Alma has become the "heart and soul of Philadelphia’s soul scene."

	M Shanghai String Band

9:30pm | Commonwealth Plaza Stage | Folk
M Shanghai String Band
With an adventurous take on Americana, the MSSB are not easily classified. They belong with their progressive contemporaries—Gillian Welch, Be Good Tanyas—lyrically smart and modern, yet timeless and truly original.

10pm | Innovation Studio | Jazz/Cabaret
Nicki Jaine
"Close your eyes when Nicki Jaine is onstage, and it’s easy to imagine that you’re listening to the sultry voice of Marlene Dietrich... As the great Dietrich herself might have said, we’re falling in love again — we can’t help it." —Philadelphia Magazine

10:30pm | Cadence Restaurant | Romance
Speed Dating
Find your perfect match at the first annual Kimmel Center speed dating event! Be sure to register at the official dating table outside of Cadence Restaurant for your chance to participate. Happy dating!

10:45pm | Verizon Hall | Indie Rock
DJ Shawn Ryan
Philly DJ Shawn Ryan spins infectious rhythms between acts until 1:30am in Verizon Hall.

	Xandé Cruz

10:45pm | Perelman Theater | Club Dance
Xandé Cruz
Xandé Cruz and his band had Perelman Theater rocking at last year's Solstice! Feel the rhythm, as you experience his passion for his art, his homeland, and "luz no comeco do tunnel," meaning the light at the beginning of the tunnel.

11pm | Verizon Hall | Indie Rock
Relay
"Relay’s appeal is primarily in their aseptic, blusterous guitars and stacks of airy keys set against vocals that stretch across the tracks like a patient etherized upon a table"(CMJ). Named Spin.com’s Band of the Day, Relay consists of Gerard Angelini, Mikele Edwards, Ian Fraser, and Jeff Zeigler.

11:30pm | Commonwealth Plaza Stage | Drag
Bob & Barbara's Drag Show
"One of the longest-running drag spectacles in the city... Brassy, a little gritty and real in a way that would make any Philadelphian, gay or straight, proud." —AOL Cityguide Philadelphia

	Guitar Hero

11:30pm | Innovation Studio | Games
Gamervision Guitar Hero Tournament
There will be three Xbox 360s up and running. At 12:30 sharp, the gloves come off and it gets competitive! Gamers will compete in one of two skill levels: beginner and advanced. A spot in the tournament costs $3, and you play until you lose. By 2:30am, two new Guitar Hero Rock Stars will be crowned. Prizes will be awarded.

11:45pm | Verizon Hall | Indie Rock
Spinto Band
The Spinto Band finds roots in indie-pop, and makes music reminiscent of the Flaming Lips and Pavement. The group is comprised of Jon Eaton, Thomas Hughes, Nick Krill, Joe Hobson, Sam Hughes, and Jeff Hobson.

12:30am | Perelman Theater | Salsa Dance
NXNW Salsa: Elvis Y Su Amigos
They are a breath of fresh air in the Philly Salsa scene! North by Northwest in Mount Airy hosts Salsa night every Wednesday night, and they are bringing the show to Solstice!

	Enon

12:45am | Verizon Hall | Indie Rock
Enon
Enon, an indie pop-rock group based out of Philadelphia, has some roots in Brooklyn as well. Enon strives to bring something new to the table with every release while still maintaining a common thread throughout their music.

1:30am | Commonwealth Plaza | World Dance
West Philadelphia Orchestra
The West Philadelphia Orchestra is beloved by hundreds, playing the poignant melodies and the frenetic, propulsive rhythms of Eastern Europe. Listen as they keep the party going in the Plaza!

2am | Commonwealth Plaza Stage | Indie Rock
Beretta 76
Beretta 76 has shared stages with Shonen Knife, The Muffs, Downbeat 5, and The Fleshtones. Their raw-rocking attitude seeps through the pores of guitarist/composer Pete Rydberg, bassist Peter Santa Maria, drummer Rob Giglio, and singer/guitarist Camille Escobedo.

3:30am | Commonwealth Plaza | Indie Rock
DJs

	Sunrise Drum Circle

DJs Shawn Ryan of Hurrah and Mike Trombly of Paradise guide us through the overnight hours, spinning tunes from various genres.

5am | Commonwealth Plaza
Sunrise Drum Circle
B.Y.O.D (bring your own drum) for the Solstice Sunrise! Arabic Rhythms by Joseph Tayoun and Bill Koutsouros with Al-Bustan Percussion Ensemble will lead the audience in Commonwealth Plaza to dawn the new day.

> View a printable schedule grid featuring links to artist websites!

Please check back for updates! New artists will continue to be added. All artists subject to change.

The Kimmel Center Box Office is open daily from 10am - 6pm. The Call Center is open daily from 9am - 8pm. Call 215-893-1999 for single tickets. TTY callers only, the number is 215-875-7633.

Also See:

• Solstice is on MySpace.com!
  
• Photos from past years' Solstice Celebrations on flickr.com

Additional support provided by Daffy’s and Rita’s Water Ice - Gallery Mall.