Kimmel Center Turns Five
Fifth Anniversary Celebration to be Marked By Day-Long Series of Free Events with Some of the Best of Philadelphia’s Performing Artists
O'Jays
Evening Ticketed Concert Highlighted by Rising R&B Superstar KEM and The Legendary O’Jays
Tickets go on Sale Friday, November 17
November 13, 2006
On Sunday, December 17, 2006, The Kimmel Center marks its Fifth Season of presenting world class performing arts with a day-long celebration of free performances and events throughout the facility’s many performance spaces, capped by a ticketed performance with rising superstar R&B singer KEM and the legendary O’Jays in Verizon Hall. Following the evening concert, Philly’s own The Geator celebrates in style with one of his signature dance parties on the Commonwealth Plaza Stage. Opened in December 2001, The Kimmel Center has played host to many of the world’s great performing artists during its first five years, and has served as a home to some of the best Philly has to offer.
"This is my new favorite hall. The sound of my violin was like a laser beam." —Anne-Sophie Mutter, March 11, 2005 (Verizon Hall)
Classical pianist and Curtis graduate Yuja Wang performs a free solo piano recital at 3pm in Perelman Theater. Free events on the Commonwealth Stage performances by the Kimmel Center Youth Jazz Ensemble, bassist Warren Oree and the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble, world music artists Animus, select artists from the Philadelphia Songwriter’s Project, and the Al Aguilera Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble. In addition kid-friendly events take place in the Kimmel Center’s Merck Arts Education Center from 1-4pm.
“It’s always a pleasure to play in your beautiful hall.” —Wynton Marsalis, September 19, 2003 (Verizon Hall)
In addition, a special anniversary brunch will be available in Cadence Restaurant from 11am to 2pm and Dinner from 4pm-7pm. Food and beverage will also be available throughout the day from Peco Café and Intermission Bar, and jugglers and face painters will be on hand to entertain children. A complete schedule of the days’ activities is below and updated information is available online at www.kimmelcenter.org/5thAnniversary.
“Wow this is beautiful!” —Ramsey Lewis, November 8, 2002 (Verizon Hall)
Tickets for the evening performance with KEM and The O’Jays go on sale on Friday, November 17 at 10am and are priced at $85, $75, $65, and $55, and to help mark the occasion, $5 rush tickets will be available. Regular priced tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at www.kimmelcenter.org, or at the Kimmel Center box office, open daily from 10am to 6pm and later on performance evenings. (Additional fees may apply.) For group sales call 215-893-5883.
A limited number of $5 tickets are available for this performance only at the Kimmel Center Box Office. Tickets go on sale the day of the event and can be purchased at the Kimmel Center box office beginning 2.5 hours prior to curtain time. Limit one ticket per person.
“Verizon Hall is fantastic! I love playing piano in the hall and would come back any time. The hall is perfect for a piano recital and the sound is effortless.” —Daniel Barenboim, June 5, 2003
“The Kimmel Center has accomplished much during its first five years, thanks to our region’s elected officials, dedicated funders and professional staff, all of whom have worked extremely hard to make the Center what it is today,” said Kimmel Center Chairman William P. Hankowsky. “The accomplishments of the past year serve to underscore both the value of the Kimmel Center to the region as an arts center and to the artists it serves.”
“It produces such a beautiful sound that I felt like it was a huge extension of my instrument.” —Hilary Hahn, February 22, 2004 (Verizon Hall)
"The Kimmel Center was conceived as a performing arts center for the Philadelphia and regional community and as a home for some of the best performing artists the area has to offer," said COO and Acting President Natalye Paquin. "As an economic and artistic catalyst for the region, the Kimmel Center has more than 750 performances per year, and has contributed over $321 million to the regional economy since its opening in 2001. We look forward to continuing that celebration of the arts well into the future."
"For a true jazz lover this concert was one of the most exciting experiences one could have. To hear all or these legends of jazz plus new and up and coming jazz musicians in one concert was truly an unforgettable experience! BRAVO !!!! —Marcy, Kimmel Center blog, April 22, 2006 (Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, April 21, 2006)
KEM
Although the Detroit native rose to national attention with his poignant love songs, his personal story is also one of victory and triumph: KEM was once homeless—reduced to sleeping on Detroit park benches while battling addiction. Determined to forge his own destiny, however, KEM struggled to support himself and his family by waiting tables and singing Top 40 cover songs at weddings. Once he was on his feet, the singer/songwriter independently financed and released his first album, Kemistry. Motown later signed KEM and, in 2003, re-released the album which went on to sell over 500,000 copies nationally.
In 2005, KEM released his sophomore album with Motown, aptly titled KEM Album II. The lead single from which, "I Can't Stop Loving You," held the #1 spot on the Urban AC and R&B Adult Monitor charts for an incredible seven consecutive weeks, the longest streak in both formats for any male artist that year. Also featured on the CD, KEM’s label-mate Stevie Wonder plays the harmonica on the upbeat tune "You Might Win."
The charismatic performer is also in demand to wow both the studio and viewing TV audiences. He recently appeared on the popular ABC morning show The View, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The CBS Early Show, and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. In March of this year, KEM performed with India.Arie at the 37th Annual NAACP Image Awards.
He might be a long way from Detroit street benches, but the hardworking and humble KEM never forgets what the journey has taught him. "Every day I reflect on where I've come from... Thankfully, I've been equipped by a higher power to battle those things."
"Without question one of the finest evenings of music making I have heard at the Kimmel Center in nearly 5 years of attending...". —Giovanni, Kimmel Center blog, April 20, 2006 (Lang Lang recital, April 18, 2006)
The O’Jays
The O’Jays got their start in 1957, and persevered for a decade before getting a major break by teaming with young songwriter/producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Their first album on Gamble & Huff’s Philadelphia International Records, Backstabbers, was an instant hit and began a string of critically acclaimed and commercially popular albums. For the next seven years, the trio had a gold or platinum record every year and garnered three Grammy nominations for Best R&B Vocal Group. The O’Jays dominated the airwaves during the 70’s with hits like "For The Love of Money," "Livin’ For the Weekend," and the classic "Use Ta Be My Girl."
In 1990, The O’Jays won an American Music Award for Favorite R&B Group or Duo for their hit album, Emotionally Yours. The group has continued to record, releasing For the Love..., a surprisingly strong 2001 disc that featured the hit "Let’s Ride." In 2004 they signed a multi-disc recording contract with Matthew Knowles (Beyonce's father) on Sanctuary Urban Records. More recently, in July the O'Jays headlined an outdoor concert for 30,000 fans at the Democratic National Convention, backed by the Boston Pops.
With six platinum and eight gold LPs, and more than 50 hit singles released in their 40 year career, The O'Jays are inarguably a soul music staple. As such, the five founding members of the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005 in honor of their contribution to the genre.
"I very very much enjoyed the performance. It was beautiful, passionate, sensual and energetic. I very much enjoyed the Plaza Performance with the dancers. It was a great start to a wonderful evening." —Eliz., Kimmel Center blog, February 5, 2006 (Paco Peña Flamenco Dance Company, Sunday, January 29, 2006)
"The acoustics are marvelous." —Chucho Valdez, January 29, 2003 (Verizon Hall)
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Kimmel Center Fifth Anniversary Celebration Sunday, December 17, 2006 1pm-Midnight
"Best of" Free in the Plaza Concerts
1-1:30pm: Kimmel Center Youth Jazz Ensemble
Nearly 50 young musicians from public, private and parochial middle schools throughout the Greater Philadelphia area will perform jazz standards under the direction of Steve Selfridge.
2-2:45pm: Warren Oree and the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble Family Jazz Jam
Bassist Warren Oree and members of the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble invite audiences of all ages to participate in a jazz jam not to be forgotten! Play the cow bell, sing a little ditty and learn the roots of jazz while having fun.
3:15-4pm: Animus
Animus is an instrumental group influenced by every type of music from ancient Greek to modern Blues, from Middle Eastern to Klezmer. Their unique original compositions, featuring a wide variety of ethnic instruments, will excite your mind, body and soul!
4:30-5:30pm: Philadelphia Songwriters Project
By providing places to play, feedback for improvement and assistance with advancing their careers, the Philadelphia Songwriters Project serves as an invaluable resource for songwriters throughout the region by cultivating the time honored tradition and art of songwriting.
Craig Bickhardt’s songwriting credits read like a Who's Who of the music industry. Ray Charles, B. B. King, Johnny Cash, The Judds, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, Allison Krauss, Anne Murray, Art Garfunkel, Poco, and Vince Gill are just a few of the many luminaries who have dipped into Bickhardt's well of songs.
With influences like Ella, Joni and British singer Julia Fordham, Bar Scott’s voice sounds like Ronnybrook eggnog tastes, or like a polar fleece hat feels in a minus-ten windchill.
6-7pm: Al Aguilera Afro-Cuban Jazz Ensemble
Al Aguilera studied percussion with some of Cuba's most influential musicians. With pianist Elio Villafranca, he brings a uniquely American, unmistakably Cuban sound to new audiences ...y de que saben ...saben!
Free concerts in Perelman Theater
3-4pm: Yuja Wang, piano
Born in Beijing in 1987, Yuja Wang was drawn to piano at the age of six when she began studying music in China. She has been a frequent prizewinner in many regional competitions, including first prize in the Huapu Cup National Piano Competition, the First "Mido" Concours De Tiano Sino-Francais, the Xinghai Cup National Piano Competition. For the
past four years Yuja has attended The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia as a student of Gary Graffman. In September 2005, Yuja Wang was named a recipient of the prestigious 2006 Gilmore Young Artist Award.
5-6pm: The DePue Brothers Bluegrass Band
Another Philly gem, comprised of Zack DePue from Time for Three, Alex dePue and Phildelphia Orchestra members Jason DePue and Don Luizzi, the group was featured in the film Music from the Inside Out.
Merck Arts Education Center, 2:30pm and 3:30pm
Former Philadanco dancer Dawn Watson will lead movement classes for the entire family.
Rendell Room
Highlights of the Kimmel Center’s first five years will play throughout the day on video, including scenes from the construction, key events and resident companies.
Verizon Hall, 7:30pm
KEM
intermission
The O’Jays
Commonwealth Plaza Stage, 10pm
Geator Dance Party
Jerry Blavat
"It’s warm and inviting ... a beautiful sound." —Denyce Graves, November 2, 2003 (Verizon Hall)
About Kimmel Center Inc.
Kimmel Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization that owns, manages, supports and maintains the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts as well as the Academy of Music which is owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Academy of Music serve as the home to eight Resident Company performing arts organizations including The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, American Theatre Arts for Youth, PHILADANCO, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops. Kimmel Center, Inc.’s mission also includes arts in education, community outreach and a rich diversity in programming through its Kimmel Center Presents and Cadillac Broadway at the Academy series of performances.
"I think it's one of the most acoustically perfect places we've ever played." —Charlie Haden, January 29, 2003 (Verizon Hall)
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