Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

Citibank Summer Solstice Celebration Brings All Day, All Night Musical Blowout to the Kimmel Center, June 19

MAY 21, 2010

15 Hours of Music and Entertainment in Every Corner of the Kimmel Center for just $10

"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."—Philadelphia City Paper

Tickets Now on Sale!

Kicking off the summer season in high gear, the Kimmel Center’s annual Citibank Summer Solstice Celebration brings an all-day, all-night musical blowout of entertainment from 3pm on Saturday, June 19 until dawn on Sunday, June 20, 2010. The annual community celebration showcases Philly-based talent, rising stars and more for a 15-hour stretch of live entertainment in every corner of the center for only $10 ($5 for children 12 and under). Audiences may enjoy family fun activities early on, and then experience an eclectic mix of classical, blues, R&B, jazz, hip-hop, dance, Latin, world music rhythms and DJs spinning music into the night with additional late-night surprises.

Afternoon entertainment begins with family-friendly fun including Zoo On Wheels, Please Touch Museum “Play Patrol,” a performance by the Paisley Pickles,  Chamber Orchestra presentation of Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale animated film, New Orleans style brass band Hoppin’ John Orchestra, classical ensemble Liebesfreud, Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble, and more. 

The evening heats up with: indie group Toy Soldiers, street dance performances by Rennie Harris RHAW, New York-based Tato Torres & Yerbabuena performing to Puerto Rican -Caribbean rhythms, local talents of Philadelphia Songwriters Project  Showcase and Miro Dance Theater Mash Up, New York-based hit improv comedy troupe, MEET Market, “seeking love” from audiences, Brazilian drumming ensemble PhillyBloco, a “Song and Dance”-themed First Person Arts StorySlam competition, and ska group Jolly Rotten Skeletons.

Late night revelry truly begins with Queen of Hip Hop Bahamadia, as well as the electro-pop modern music of The ReBel Yell, and raucous Bob & Barbara’s Drag Show.  Dance party in the Plaza includes electro, global, rhythmic beats of DJ Rahsaan and house beats by DJ Rob Paine. As always, the annual Drum Circle at dawn kicks off the summer with a big bang.

Henna tattoo artists, chair massages, tarot card readers, face-painters and more will be stationed in Commonwealth Plaza and on the Hamilton Rooftop Garden. Food and drink options will be available throughout the day and night from Peco Café.

Note: Check the Kimmel Center website at www.kimmelcenter.org/solstice for performer and schedule updates as new artists continue to be added.

Below is a list of confirmed artists performing at the Summer Solstice Celebration:

Summer Solstice Celebration
Saturday, June 19, 2009 | 3pm to dawn
All Kimmel Center Venues

BRING THE KIDS

 

Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale

with Soundtrack Featuring The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia

3pm | Innovation Studio | Family
A special showing of the Warner Brothers animated film, Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale, with soundtrack featuring the members of The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.

 

Kimmel Center Youth Jazz Ensemble

3:30pm | Verizon Hall | Jazz

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.

 

Zoo On Wheels

3pm-5pm | Tier 1 | Family

The Philadelphia Zoo visits the Kimmel Center! Stop by the Zoo's station where you can experience live animals and talk to their traveling naturalists about the animals and learn bio-facts.

 

Please Touch Museum “Play Patrol”

3pm-6pm | Commonwealth Plaza | Family

Kids of all ages can participate in exciting activities hosted by Please Touch Museum’s "Play Patrol."

 

Liebesfreud

3:45 | Rendell Room | Classical

The Philadelphia-based Liebesfreud is an ensemble devoted primarily to the performance of great literature for the string quartet. The name, meaning Love's Joy, is best known as that of a heartfelt piece by beloved violinist Fritz Kreisler.

 

The Paisley Pickles

4:30pm | Innovation Studio | Family

Founded in 2008, the Paisley Pickles have been capturing the hearts of young “Pickle Heads” with their catchy Pickle tunes and their handsome Pickle attire. But they don’t only appeal to the tiny future leaders of our world – they also have the ability to charm fully-grown human beings.

Sponsored in part by PNC Grow Up Great

 

Hoppin’ John Orchestra

4:30pm | Commonwealth Plaza | Jazz

A group of ten professional musicians from all corners of musical Philadelphia brought together to make great music. The Hoppin’ John Orchestra specialize in several genres and subgenre's including the New Orleans brass band style, Jazz, both modern and historic, Dixieland and pre-Rock and Roll Rhythm and Blues. A smattering of original hard-to-define compositions rounds out their eclectic but very listenable style.

  

PARTY EXTRA: Face Painting

3pm-6pm | Commonwealth Plaza | Family

Free face painting from Creative Face.

 

HAPPY HOUR HAPPENINGS

Toy Soldiers

5pm | Verizon Hall | Indie

Philadelphia's Toy Soldiers are an eclectic group of friends and musicians that have wandered in and out of the roots of American music.  From old-time, saloon style, traditional country to down and dirty soul or rock n' roll music, the band jumps around the spectrum uncontrollably with a wide array of instruments and a stockpile of singers. Their first album Whisper Down the Lane will be released nationally on MAD Dragon records on May 18th of this year. WXPN's Bruce Warren describes the group as "a righteous collection of rootsy, jangly, scraggly, soulful indie inspired songs that bring to mind Shangri-La era Kinks, Nashville Skyline-era Dylan, Bright Eyes and the Black Keys, The Coasters and Carl Perkins. Rock it."

 

Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble

6pm | Commonwealth Plaza | African Dance & Drum

This diverse Ensemble includes performers spanning four generations of inner-city African-American families from different backgrounds. Founded and directed by Robert and Wanda Dickerson this ensemble is sanctioned the best of its kind in the category of African-American Dance & Drum in America by scholars and African Djelis (historians). 

Sponsored in part by PNC Grow Up Great

 

Rennie Harris RHAW

6pm | Innovation Studio | Dance

Rennie Harris RHAW was conceived in 2007 as a youth organization driven by community outreach and education. Harris’ inspiration for this youth driven company was inspired by the overwhelming interest from teens and young adults to join his internationally renowned company, Rennie Harris Puremovement. RHAW is a company that teaches and performs street dance techniques such as Campbell Locking, Popping & Boogaloo, House and Hip Hop dance.

 

The Munier Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra

6:15pm | Rendell Room | Classical

The Munier Mandolin and Guitar Orchestra was formed in 1957 and named after the great composer, teacher and mandolin virtuoso, Carlo Munier. Its members are proficient amateur musicians of divergent backgrounds, whose desire to preserve the beautiful music of the mandolin is paramount. The Orchestra’s repertoire ranges from the Baroque, through the romantic Neapolitan songs and operatic arias of the nineteenth century to recent works composed and arranged specifically for the mandolin orchestra.

 

The Miro Dance Theatre Mash-Up Series Finale

6:30pm | Verizon Hall | Dance

The Miro Dance Theatre Mash-Up Series is an experiment combining live music and dance- prepared fresh and served raw. Each experiment has Miro in the studio with a rock band and a composer, and on the fourth day they emerge to share the results for a brave audience who will experience a never to be repeated performance. During this event see how three months of mash-ups come together for a "best of" showcase featuring Miro dancers and local band Toy Soldiers.

 

Philadelphia Songwriters Project Showcase

7:30pm | Rendell Room | Singer/Songwriter

The Philadelphia Songwriters Project presents a diverse and fun-filled showcase with the winners of the 2010 Songwriters Contest. Over 600 contestants entered this year’s event, and only 4 were chosen as winners. This Solstice presentation is a must-see for music lovers.

 

MB3 Entertainment Showcase

7:30pm | Innovation Studio | Hip Hop/R&B

Starring: Team IceCream, Pride, Billias Clan, Hoffa, J Fresh, Promise, FOE, Living Lavish Production, Young Tech, Remy & MORE!!  

 

Tato Torres & YERBABUENA

7:30pm | Commonwealth Plaza | World

YERBABUENA is a group composed of musicians, singers and dancers from the New York City area, who share an intense passion for the musical traditions of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean under the musical direction of singer-composer-musician Tato Torres. The last thing that will come to your mind while at a YERBABUENA event is that you're watching a show, it feels more like a cross between a jam in the park, a spiritual ceremony and a family reunion. The music they play is, by nature, participatory. Whether bomba, plena or música jíbara, it's all interactive!

Presented in association with Afrotaino Productions

 

Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church Mass Choir

8pm | Verizon Hall | Gospel
Established in 1876, Enon is the oldest African-American Baptist Church in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. This majestic 80-100 member choir will perform uplifting spirituals, and traditional and contemporary choral music.

 

PARTY EXTRA: Henna Tattoo Designs
7pm-12am | Commonwealth Plaza | Variety

 

PARTY EXTRA: Chair Massage Therapy
7pm-1am | Commonwealth Plaza | Variety
$1/minute professional chair massages.

 

SUN DOWN, HEAT UP

First Person Arts StorySlam
9pm | Innovation Studio | Spoken Word
First Person Arts StorySlams are twice-monthly, real-life storytelling competitions that take place at L'Etage Cabaret and World Cafe Live - and on June 19 at the Kimmel Center! For those brave enough to approach the mic and share a story, this year's theme is "Song and Dance." Sign-ups will take place outside of Innovation Studio prior to performance time. Hosted by Victor Fiorillo, A&E Editor of Philadelphia Magazine and pianist for The Martha Graham Cracker Cabaret.


Jolly Rotten Skeletons

9:30pm | Commonwealth Plaza | Ska

In November 2009 the Jolly Rotten Skeletons won first place out of eighty groups in the Philadelphia battle of the bands at the Trocadero and earned the label the “Next Big Thing”. The JRS is an eight piece rock band based in Holmdel, NJ featuring an array of rhythm instruments, horns and a singer who can wail who are ready to make you dance and never sit back down. Rock. Roll. Repeat. 

 

MEET MARKET

9:30pm | Rendell Room | Comedy
This is Your Dating Life
The hit improv comedy “MEET MARKET” comes from NYC to dig into the audience’s dating closet and drag out the skeletons for the world to see. The cast features eight improvisers looking for love—and direction.  The audience suggests personality quirks and shares dating stories to help create the most innocent or unusual characters and events. The cast brings these lovers to life in an improvised Dating Game. The laughs begin as the couples mingle for a night of romance—or Rolaids. True love is a rare and beautiful flower and dating is the thorns! This is one date you won't want to miss.

 

Phillybloco

9:30pm | Verizon Hall | World

PhillyBloco is modeled after the blocos of Rio de Janeiro, with their large percussion sections and harmonic/vocal accompaniment. Our group is comprised of twelve drummers, electric guitar, bass guitar, singer, brass section, accordion, and Brazilian dancers. The group performs a diverse repertoire made popular by both Brazilian and non-Brazilian artists including: Olodum, Timbalada, Monobloco, Bob Marley and Stevie Wonder.

 

 

LATE NIGHT DATE NIGHT

 

Forte’s Late Night Lounge

10pm-2am | Hamilton Rooftop Garden

Forte, the Kimmel Center’s Young Professionals group, hosts a Late-Night Lounge on the rooftop garden for an escape from the noisy crowds below. Guests can lounge under the stars, enjoy cocktails from the bar and more to be announced.

 

Phillies LXG featuring Lauren Lark

10pm | Perelman Theater | Jazz/NeoSoul

Phillies LXG is a group of Philadelphia's up and coming premiere jazz musicians. Each individual of the group has world renowned status playing all over america and covering five of the seven continents on earth. LXG plays a unique style of music consisting of originals and standards, deeply rooted in the tradition of Jazz with the flavor and relevance of today's popular music of Hip-Hop, R&B and Neo-Soul. Is LXG the best band you've ever heard? I don't know, quite possibly, guess you'll just have to come, listen and find out for yourself.

 

Bob & Barbara’s Drag Show
10:30pm | Commonwealth Plaza
The notorious Bob & Barbara’s Drag Night joins us again for a night of amazing drag queen performances. “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

 

The Philadelphia Ukulele Orchestra

11pm | Rendell Room | Variety

 The Philadelphia All-star Ukulele Orchestra is a twelve piece ensemble comprised of bohemians, libertines and ukulele enthusiasts, on a crusade to promote truth and beauty through that most democratic of musical instruments. The group was assembled by the mysterious and inscrutable Professor Phineas Q. Tinkelbottom. In a heroic display of persistence, the Professor managed to transform a group of social misfits into a fantastic and single minded collective, bent on spreading the gospel of the ukulele to all those with open ears and an open heart.

Bahamadia

11:30pm | Perelman Theater | Hip Hop

Bahamadia, the reigning Queen of Hip Hop and female protégée of Gangstarr's Guru, rose to hip hop royalty through popular underground and burgeoning commercial success since the earliest days of the genre. Through an expanded global "cult" fan base from Japan to Europe and across the USA, Bahamadia's 4th global release HERE hits iTunes worldwide this Summer 2010 with joyful anticipation. Through ground-breaking collaborations with artists like Erykah Badu, Talib Kweli, Sweetback (Sade & Maxwell's band), drum n' base auteur and Mercury Award winner Roni Size, and others, the only thing between Bahamadia and that special glorified status is the present moment and that special glorified status is the present moment and HERE. 

PARTY EXTRA: Tarot Card Readers
10pm-2am | Hamilton Garden | Variety

INSOMNIAC’S PARADISE

Gina Ferrera & Polysonic

12:30am | Innovation Studio | Fusion

Gina Ferrera is one of those artists that comes along every once and awhile that combines genres so well it stuns listeners. Gina brings a lifetime of education and knowledge about traditional gyil music mixed with the current state of music (electronic resources/ popular culture know-how/ and wonderful taste in influences). The gyil (dʒile or dʒil) is a pentatonic xylophone from the northwest of Ghana. Her most recent recording is a multi-layered, electronic, global rhythm experiment with the following goals in mind: To feature the gyil in a cross-cultural presentation with other forms of world music; to present traditional gyil styles with an urban Philly influence and with electronic beats.

 

The ReBel Yell

12:45am | Perelman Theater | Electro Pop

T.R.Y. is The ReBeL Yell. With lead vocals by Domini Quinn SupaStar, and production from Khari Ferrari Mateen and Grammy winner James Poyser, The ReBeL Yell creates electric sounds to think and dance to. T.R.Y. brings hip-hop to electronica, politically incorrect lyrics to melodious beat breaks, and un-orthodox style to the performance aesthetic. In other words, The ReBeL Yell is a revolution! The group’s debut album Love & War is available in stores now.

 

Rob Paine

2am | Commonwealth Plaza | Electronic

Rob Paine has been actively working as a DJ, producer, record label owner & promoter of events for over 15 years in and out of Philadelphia. When he started his record label Worship Recordings in 1998 he opened his sound to the world with a mix of traditional house music with a twist of reggae. His productions have been released on other labels such as Shaboom, Large, Bedrock, NRK & Tango Recordings to name a few. Rob's current longtime running 'Shakedown'  is Philly's premier House Music event that you can catch him & partner Willyum at every second Saturday located at the Barbary.  He can also be found DJing traditional reggae under the alias Solomonic Sound System.

 

DJ RAHSAAN
3:30am | Commonwealth Plaza | Electronic

Dance into the twilight to the global mix of DJ Rahsaan. Afro-Samba-Salsa-Soul-Disco-fied grooves. AfroTaino Productions spreading the Love of the Sun!

 

Sunrise Drum Circle

With Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture

5:30-6:15am | Commonwealth Plaza

BYOD (bring your own drum) and join with members of the Al-Bustan Percussion Ensemble led by Hafez El Ali Kotain for the annual drum circle to ring in the dawn as the sun rises over the glass roof.

Tickets for Citibank Summer Solstice Celebration are $10 for adults and $5 for children under age 12. Ticket price includes all-day admission regardless of the number of exits and entrances patrons choose to make. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.kimmelcenter.org, by calling 215-893-1999, or at the Kimmel Center box office, open daily from 10am to 6pm and later on performance evenings.

 

 

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