Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

March Free Friday LIVE Performances and Other Free Events at the Kimmel Center

MARCH 8, 2010

March rolls in like a lion – and stays that way - at the Kimmel Center with free events all month long. From a unique celebration of Japanese culture to musical Irish storytelling and Kimmel Center’s own Youth Jazz Ensemble, Free at the Kimmel events are perfect for a creative date night or special family outing!

 

The Free at the Kimmel series includes:

 

·         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, Art & Architecture Tours are conducted daily by experienced volunteer guides.

 

Updates and complete schedules are available at www.kimmelcenter.org/free. All artists and programs are subject to change.

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Full schedule of Free at the Kimmel events in March 2010:

 

Saturday, March 12 | 5:30pm

Commonwealth Plaza | Friday LIVE

Arlene McCann, Forte You Choose Event

Kimmel Center’s Forte Young Professionals group hosts a Friday Live happy hour, presenting Arlene McCann to perform on Commonwealth Plaza stage, as the winner of the Kimmel Center Facebook “Your Choice! Who’s your favorite local artist?” contest. McCann is an uncanny vocalist, guitarist and sometimes harmonica player who has performed at local venues such as the World Café Live, Tin Angel and Pontiac Grille. Drink tickets will be provided to Forte members who RSVP at forte@kimmelcenter.org 

 

Saturday, March 13 | 1:30pm

Commonwealth Plaza | Free at the Kimmel
Danaher & Cloud

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Danaher & Cloud! Kate Danaher and Amy Cloud have spent the past 20 years as storytellers Irish pastimes and traditions through music and poetry. With a combination of the fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, autoharp and mountain dulcimer on stage, their performance is a true celebration of life and of music. Prior to ticketed performance of Paddy Molony with Chieftains and Special Guests concert in Verizon Hall.

 

Friday, March 19 | 5:30pm

Commonwealth Plaza | Friday LIVE

Chris Aschman Group

Doubling on both trumpet and steel pan, Philadelphia’s own Chris Aschman Group performs a fiery blend of jazz improvisations with Korey Riker (Sax), Masami Kuroki (Guitar), Ryan Kuhns (Bass), and Joe Truglio (Drums).

 

Friday March 26 | 5:30pm

Commonwealth Plaza | Friday Live

Phil D'Agostino Quintet

Bassist Philip D'Agostino has been a fixture in the Philadelphia music scene for over 10 years.  In 2009 he released his solo debut, Music From A Sinking Ship, a full-length, instrumental record of genre defying compositions featuring over twenty Philadelphian musicians.  His quintet will perform onstage with Ross Bellenoit (guitar), Jon Thompson (woodwinds), Nate Gonzalez (keyboards), and Ferd Berman (drums).

 

Saturday, March 27 | 12:30pm

Commonwealth Plaza | Free at the Kimmel Center

Kimmel Center Youth Jazz Ensemble

In Honor of Music in Our Schools Month

This ensemble of young talented musicians, comprised primarily of middle school students, trains with accomplished jazz musicians and teachers to perform in the first regional ensemble specializing in jazz. These talented students are directed by Marc Johnson and are performing in honor of Music in our Schools Month.

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Academy of Music | Free Themed Tours
Academy of Music Tour - NEW!
Select dates, 11:30am
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.

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.
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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. Friday LIVE is presented by Coca-Cola.

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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