Live From the Plaza Stage FREE Performance Series Continues in March
MARCH 6, 2012
Sponsored by Coca-Cola
The Kimmel Center’s new FREE concert series, Live from the Plaza Stage, continues during the month of March to showcase the hottest regional talent from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. each Saturday night as part of the Free at the Kimmel offerings on the Commonwealth Plaza stage.
Live from the Plaza Stage continues every Saturday until June 16 with a variety of world, pop, jazz, instrumental and dance offerings from up-and-coming local musicians and artists.
As part of Live from the Plaza Stage, Wolfgang Puck continues to serve happy hour specials including $1 off beers and $2 off wines at the PECO and Annex Bars. Additionally, monthly raffle drawings with ticket giveaway winners to select Kimmel Center Presents and Broadway Season shows will be announced at the end of performances in the Commonwealth Plaza.
Below is sampling of Live from the Plaza Stage program offerings. Visit www.kimmelcenter.org/free for updated information on confirmed artists throughout the remainder of the season.
Free at the Kimmel
Live from the Plaza Stage:
The Alfred James Band
Saturday, March 10, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Classically trained cellist and vocalist, Alfred James has performed at The White House twice and has toured all over the world as a soloist with The Philadelphia Boys Choir and Chorale. He and his band, the Alfred James Band, return to the Kimmel Center stage after recently playing their first orchestral backed concert with the Main Line Symphony Orchestra. Alfred made his Carnegie Hall debut as a solo cellist in 2010 and can be heard on a 2011 Paul McCartney track.
Free at the Kimmel
Live from the Plaza Stage:
McDade-Cara Irish Dancers
Saturday, March 17, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The McDade-Cara School of Irish Dance arrives at the Kimmel Center for a St. Patrick’s Day Celebration! In April 2009, the McDade and Cara Schools merged their championship dance programs, with the McDade School celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2012. The program remains dedicated to preserving and enhancing the rich tradition of Irish step and figure dancing while developing children’s physical strength and self-esteem. In February, the school’s Championship Irish Dancers competed at the All Ireland Championships in Dublin, Ireland.
Free at the Kimmel
Live from the Plaza Stage:
Tribute to Velma Simmons
Saturday, March 24, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts' Education Program honors Arts Education legend Velma Simmons. Simmons was an outstanding teacher, choral conductor, and arts administrator whose indelible career spanned more than 40 years with the School District of Philadelphia as well as six years as Director of Education for the Kimmel Center. Performances by members of the Philadelphia All-City and Creative and Performing Arts High School choirs, The Kimmel Center's Creative Music Program, and Dance in the Schools Program featuring Nueva Esperanza Academy Charter High School and Overbrook Educational Center as well as soloists, Valerie Gaye and Reginald Pindell.
Free at the Kimmel
Live from the Plaza Stage:
The Belleville Quartet
Saturday, March 31, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Belleville Quartet is a West Philadelphia based acoustic jazz ensemble. First formed in April 2011, guitarist Alban Bailly brought the group together to play the large songbook he had been putting together from his early days growing up in France and studying with gypsy jazz musicians in Eastern France. Their repertoire ranges from that of legendary French gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt to the folk songs of Serbia, Romania, and Macedonia and beyond. Group members include Marina Vishnyakova on violin, Alban Bailly on acoustic guitar, Zachary Fay on acoustic guitar,Matt Stein on acoustic double bass.
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Kimmel Center, Inc., a charitable, not-for-profit organization, owns, manages, supports and maintains The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, which includes Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, Innovation Studio and the
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