FREE Holiday Offerings at the Kimmel Center in December
DECEMBER 1, 2009
Photo Credit: Evelyn Taylor
The Free at the Kimmel series includes the following options that will stimulate the senses while curbing expenses:
- Friday LIVE, a series of free musical performances by regional musicians on the Commonwealth Plaza stage every* Friday from 5:30pm to 7:15pm throughout the 2009/10 season
- PNC Grow Up Great free concerts for kids in Commonwealth Plaza
- Free themed tours, including the new Academy of Music Tours, Building & Theater Tours and Art & Architecture Tours, conducted daily by experienced volunteer guides
Countdown of FREE holiday entertainment this December includes:
Saturday, December 19, 2009 at Noon
Commonwealth Plaza | Free at the Kimmel
TUBACHRISTMAS
Toot your own horn at the eighth annual TUBACHRISTMAS celebration in
the Kimmel Center's Commonwealth Plaza. The holidays come to life as
100 regional tuba, sousaphone and euphonium players join together to
perform holiday classics free to the public and for all ages. For
registration and rehearsal details, visit www.kimmelcenter.org/free.
Friday, December 18, 2009 | 5:30pm
Commonwealth Plaza | Friday LIVE
Temple University Horns and Trombones
Led by Philadelphia Orchestra members Jeffrey Lang and Matthew Vaughn,
the Temple University Horn and Trombone choirs will fill the Plaza with
holiday cheer during their free performance. Both choirs will perform
holiday selections, from choral transcriptions to jazz arrangements.
Saturday, December 12, 2009 | Noon
Commonwealth Plaza | Free at the Kimmel
Kimmel Center Youth Jazz Ensemble
Annual Anniversary Performance
The Kimmel Center Youth Jazz Ensemble introduces a professional-level
musical experience to gifted young artists providing them the
opportunity to train with accomplished jazz musicians and teachers and
perform in the Kimmel Center and its concert halls. Join us for the
Ensemble's first Commonwealth Plaza performance of the 2009-2010
season.
Friday, December 11, 2009 | 5:30pm
Commonwealth Plaza | Friday LIVE
The Cartoon Christmas Trio
The
Cartoon Christmas Trio was started in 1995 by bassist Rob Swanson for
the sole purpose of playing music from classic Christmas cartoons,
especially the music of Vince Guaraldi, the composer of the "Peanuts"
soundtracks. The trio is comprised of Jeff Knoettner on piano, Jackie
Browne on drums and Rob Swanson on double bass violin. All veterans of
the Philly jazz scene, CC3 brings superb and innovative execution to
timeless music, leaving the listener filled with nostalgia, happiness
and a 'Grinch-like' smirk. After more than a decade, the trio finally
released their self titled debut CD to rave reviews from across the
country.
Saturday, December 5, 2009 | 11am
Commonwealth Plaza | PNC Grow Up Great
Two of a Kind and the Give 'Em a Hand Band
'Two of a Kind is a one-of-a-kind find!' says Publishers' Weekly.
Two of a Kind presents musical programs for audiences of all ages,
including songs, movement, sign language, puppets and more - all with
an emphasis on interaction and participation. Audiences sing and dance
to songs about everything from animals, friendship and reading to
conflict resolution, diversity and environmental topics. Two of a Kind
is an award-winning duo comprised of the husband and wife team David
and Jenny Heitler-Klevans. Two of a Kind will be joined by The Give 'em
a Hand Band, featuring Hope Wesley Harrison on bass and Justin
Solonynka on piano, trombone, melodica, panpipes and dijereedoo. PNC
Grow Up Great concerts for kids take place at 11am on the first
Saturday of each month from October through May in the Kimmel Center’s
Commonwealth Plaza, unless otherwise noted at www.kimmelcenter.org/family.
Friday, December 4, 2009 | 5:30pm
Commonwealth Plaza | Friday LIVE
Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble
Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble (PHE) will surely ring you into the
spirit of the season! PHE is a community ensemble comprised of
auditioned, advanced-level handbell ringers from Pennsylvania, New
Jersey and Delaware. Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble appreciates a wide
array of musical styles and moods with a repertoire spanning original
compositions, arrangements and transcriptions of classical literature.
This free performance takes place prior to the ticketed performance by
the Vienna Boys Choir in Verizon Hall.
Academy of Music | Free Themed Tours
Academy of Music Tour- NEW!
Select dates, 11:30 am
Visit this historic grand opera house, decorated in baroque style, for
a tour that includes the Grand Lobby, Stage Door Canteen , the recently
renovated Ballroom and the main auditorium with its dazzling
chandelier. Due to the Academy’s busy performance calendar, tours are
available on select dates, by reservation only. Call 215-790-5886 for
information and reservations. This tour is approximately one hour in
duration.
Tuesdays-Sundays | 1pm
Commonwealth Plaza Information Desk | Free Themed Tours
Building & Theater Tour
Join us for a themed tour which includes a history of the Kimmel
Center; architectural and construction highlights; and visits to
Commonwealth Plaza, Perelman Theater, Verizon Hall, Merck Arts
Education Center and the Dorrance H. Hamilton Garden. This tour is
approximately one hour in duration.
Please note: Building & Theater Tours will not be offered on December 25 or 31.
Saturdays | 10:30am
Commonwealth Plaza Information Desk | Free Themed Tours
Art & Architecture Tour
Join
us for a themed tour which includes an in-depth look at the Kimmel
Center's architecture, a walk along the Avenue of the Arts to view the
Center in the context of the cityscape, and a tour of artworks on
display throughout the Kimmel Center, including the Moore Galleries and
the recently installed Percent for Art collection. This tour is
approximately 90 minutes in duration.
Updates and complete schedules are available at www.kimmelcenter.org/free. All artists and programs are subject to change.
*except December 25
Kimmel Center Presents 2009/10 Season is sponsored by Citi. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Kimmel Center Presents.
Free at the Kimmel events are made possible through the Wachovia Gateway to the Arts Community Access Program supported by a generous grant from Wachovia Foundation.
The Kimmel Center is the recipient of partnership funding through the nationally recognized PNC Grow Up Great initiative, a 10-year, $100 million investment in preparing children for success in school and life.
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