New Artist Added to Citibank Summer Solstice Celebration, 15-hours of Music from 3pm on June 19 Until Dawn on June 20
JUNE 9, 2010
Philly native and front man for the Young Rumblers
Kicking the summer season into 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 during a 15-hour stretch of live entertainment in every corner of the center. 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. All for only $10 ($5 for children 12 and under).
New program highlights for Summer Solstice:*
Traditional Cambodian Dance Ensemble. Preserving the Cambodian culture, dance and language, this program works to unify communities by promoting understandings of cultural differences. Comprised of children and young people ages four to 25, the Troupe performs traditional Cambodian dance throughout the city and beyond and takes to the Kimmel stages for the first time as part of Solstice. Presented by the Cambodian Association of Greater Philadelphia. (3:15pm, Commonwealth Plaza)
Clash of the Kitchens. Chefs Brown vs. Nunez. 4 Courses • 3 Rounds • 2 Chefs • 1 Winner! The diners decide. Summer Solstice heats up this year with the Kimmel Center’s own version of Top Chef at Cadence, the center’s world-class restaurant! Chefs Will Brown and J.C. Nunez use only four seasonal ingredients from local sources in this 4-course food fight to the finish. They cook; the diners choose. Reserve by June 18 and the $45.00, pre fixe, four-course meal includes free admission to Solstice. (6pm-10:30pm)
Stolen Rhodes. Classic rock meets modern sounds, Bruce Springsteen meets Dave Matthews. However you describe it, Delaware Valley band Stolen Rhodes makes music to please almost any crowd. At every show, audiences are guaranteed to see a unique performance by talented musicians playing real instruments, making real music. (11pm, Innovation Studio)
Tommy Conwell. With the Young Rumblers in tow, Tommy Conwell took Philadelphia, the United States, and the world by storm in the mid 1980s. While rocking Dick Clark's The American Music Awards, The Late Show with David Letterman, and stages from Juniata to Japan, Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers were a fixture on Philly radio in the mid 80s and early 90s with hits like "I'm Not Your Man" and "If We Never Meet Again." When asked what to expect from his current show, Tommy replies, "All killer, no filler. Just the hits, dude." Don't miss it! (11:15, Verizon Hall)
Sophistafunk. Combining the sounds of live funk, soul, and dance music with the intensity of hip hop and spoken-word poetry, Sophistafunk, a trio of “top notch musicians,” has invented its own original style of cross-genre music. The Syracuse-based band are winners of the 2009 Syracuse Big Break Contest and put on a show that leaves audiences so energized they’re gasping for air. (12:30am, Commonwealth Plaza)
*Visit the www.kimmelcenter.org/solstice for a full list of previously confirmed artists, or see below.
BRING THE KIDS
Tom and Jerry: A Nutcracker Tale
with Soundtrack Featuring The Chamber Orchestra of
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.
Traditional Cambodian Dance Ensemble
3:15pm | Commonwealth Plaza | Dance
Preserving the Cambodian culture, dance and language, this program works to unify communities by promoting understandings of cultural differences. Comprised of children and young people ages four to 25, the Troupe performs traditional Cambodian dance throughout the city and beyond and takes to the Kimmel stages for the first time as part of Solstice. Presented by the Cambodian Association of Greater 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
Miro Dance Theatre has spent the spring in a creative laboratory process known as the Miro Mash-Ups. Over three sessions in just one week, the company worked intensively and experimentally with rock band Toy Soldiers, a composer, and Miro’s core dancers, emerging four days later from the studio to unveil what they created. Miro will present a “Best-Of” the Mash-Ups series during Solstice that features performances from all three Mash-Ups.
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. More than 600 contestants entered this year’s event, and only four were chosen as winners: Ryan Tennis, Tania Alexandra, The Fleeting Ends and Johnny Miles. Come and check them out!
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 of 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.
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
Experience the joy and excitement of the PhillyBloco! With a 12-person Brazilian Drumming Troupe as its core, PhillyBloco's 20 members perform a raucous mash-up of Samba, Funk, Reggae, New Orleans 2nd Line and more. With irresistible rhythms and infectious energy, PhillyBloco will get audiences out of their seats and dancing in the aisles!
LATE NIGHT DATE NIGHT
Forte’s Late Night Lounge
10:00pm-2:00am | 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 L.X.G. 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
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
I am pleased to announce the arrival of the Philadelphia All-star Ukulele Orchestra, 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.
This ensemble, which had be toiling in the underground for sometime, has recently made its public debut and in doing so, claimed its rightful place in the collective consciousness of the public.
Some historical notes are in order: When I came upon this rag tag band of misfits, they were, for the large part, wholly unfamiliar with the lilting tones that could be teased from the “Jumping Flea” (as the ukulele is known in the vernacular). In fact, their knowledge of the instrument was largely limited to several outdated and unfortunate “pop culture” references. The one exception was to be found in my star pupil: an octogenarian savant known as Raymond Davenport. His playing, having been refined over the past 60 or 70 years, only required minor guidance from the Professor. I would not be so lucky with the others, who had picked up a variety of unsavory habits while toiling in such combos as the Nixon’s Head, the Silence, the Donuts, the John Train, Slo Mo and the Rolling Hayseeds.
Now, thanks to a combination of strict tutelage and benevolent control on my part, the rest of the orchestra members have been refined into a fantastic machine with twelve interlocking parts working seamlessly together to produce music which one could not rightfully expect to hear until the dulcet tones of the angels greeted one upon leaving this mortal coil.
I implore you with an evangelical fervor to behold this most delightful enclave at one of their live performances and bear witness as they change the face of the Philadelphia cultural establishment, and reset the paradigm for what is considered “entertainment” in this new and somewhat vexing millennium.
Respectfully, I remain,
Professor Phineas Q. Tinklebottom
Principal Director
Philadelphia All-star Ukulele Orchestra
(read less)
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.
Stolen Rhodes
11pm | Innovation Studio | Rock
Classic rock meets modern sounds, Bruce Springsteen meets Dave Matthews. However you describe it, Delaware Valley band Stolen Rhodes makes music to please almost any crowd. At every show, audiences are guaranteed to see a unique performance by talented musicians playing real instruments, making real music.
Tommy Conwell
11:15pm | Verizon Hall | Rock
With the Young Rumblers in tow, Tommy Conwell took Philadelphia, the United States, and the world by storm in the mid 1980s. While rocking Dick Clark's The American Music Awards, The Late Show with David Letterman, and stages from Juniata to Japan, Tommy Conwell and the Young Rumblers were a fixture on Philly radio in the mid 80s and early 90s with hits like "I'm Not Your Man" and "If We Never Meet Again." When asked what to expect from his current show, Tommy replies, "All killer, no filler. Just the hits, dude." Don't miss it!
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
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.
Sophistafunk
12:30am | Commonwealth Plaza | Funk
Combining the sounds of live funk, soul, and dance music with the intensity of hip hop and spoken-word poetry, Sophistafunk, a trio of “top notch musicians,” has invented its own original style of cross-genre music. The Syracuse-based band are winners of the 2009 Syracuse Big Break Contest and put on a show that leaves audiences so energized they’re gasping for air.
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
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
5:00-6:00am | 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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