The Kimmel Center’s Fifth Annual Summer in the City Gala to Honor PA Governor Edward G. Rendell, Thursday, May 17, 2007
April 25, 2007
Gala to Benefit Kimmel Center Inc.’s Diverse Artistic Programming, Education and Community Initiatives
Kimmel Center Patrons to Revel in Sultry and Sophisticated Cabarets of Paris, Berlin and New York
Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell, long a fervent supporter of the state’s thriving and vibrant arts community, will be honored at the Kimmel Center’s fifth annual Summer in the City Gala on Thursday, May 17, 2007.
Each year the Kimmel Center transforms itself into a unique and chic new environment to celebrate the diversity of its programming and hold its annual fundraising gala. This year, on Thursday, May 17, Sultry and Sophisticated Cabaret is the theme at the Kimmel Center’s fifth annual Summer in the City Gala, as guests return to the beginning of cabaret in turn-of-the-century Paris; the sophisticated and intellectual cabaret of 1920’s Berlin; and the elegant supper clubs of 1950’s New York that showcased future stars of stage and film. Guests are invited to choose sultry and sophisticated attire of the era and city of their choice and celebrate the history of cabaret music on this night of fabulous entertainment, dining, dancing and live auction.
The 2007 Summer in the City Gala is chaired by Kimmel Center Board member, Carole P. Shanis. Members of the Gala Honorary Committee include: Bill and Sharon Avery, Sally and Roland Bullard, Catherine R. and Anthony A. Clifton, Suzanne and Norman Cohn, Debbie and Michael Coslov, Jack and Gloria Drosdick, Gerald and Nadine Gushner, Anne and Matt Hamilton, The Hamilton Family Foundation, Lynne and Harold Honickman, Larry and Mary Kent, Joseph H. Kluger and Susan E. Lewis, Ellen and Jerry Lee, Elaine Levitt and Joel Gershman, Joanna McNeil Lewis, Alan and Jill Miller, Marlene and Edward Panek, Raymond and Ruth Perelman, Louise and Alan Reed, Lyn and George Ross, Selma and Samuel J. Savitz, Joseph Shanis, Howard and Lynn Shecter, Molly D. Shepard and Peter J. Dean, Ph.D., Constance and Joseph Smukler, Robbie and Bruce Toll, Jay H. Tolson and Mindy Tamaccio, Connie and Sankey Williams, Christopher P. Woehrle, Esq., and Leslie Miller and Richard Worley. The Gala Corporate Committee includes: title sponsors Independence Blue Cross, JPMorgan Chase and Verizon; Comcast Corporation, Dranoff Properties, Liberty Property Trust, Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, The Rinaldi Family — Jacobs Music, Smart, and S.R. Wojdak & Associates.
"Governor Rendell has long been an extremely important advocate for the arts in our region and it is only fitting that we recognize that contribution this year at our annual Summer in the City Gala," said Kimmel Center Acting President Natalye Paquin. "I know this year’s Gala will be a spectacular event, especially with the performance of the incomparable Eartha Kitt on stage in the Perelman Theater. These special events are not possible without the leadership of people like Carole Shanis who step forward out of their belief in the importance of the Kimmel Center and their commitment to our artistic and educational goals."
"I believe the Kimmel Center is one of the region’s key cultural icons, both for the educational programs and world class performers it presents. It is home to the famous resident companies it houses," said Summer in the City Gala Chair Carole P. Shanis. "It is the region’s performing arts destination and as its epicenter, is a cultural gem that deserves to get all the support and stewardship we can bring to bear during its fifth anniversary season. We are, of course, extremely grateful to Governor Rendell for his foresight some many years ago in bringing this special performing arts center to fruition here in Philadelphia and hope to do what we can to preserve that legacy for generations to come."
The 2007 Summer in the City festivities begin at 6pm at the Kimmel Center’s Commonwealth Plaza with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Restaurant Associates’ Chef Brendan Smith has created an intriguing menu with a sumptuous array of samplings Paris, Berlin and New York.
At 7pm, guests move to Perelman Theater for a tribute to Governor Rendell recognizing his ongoing commitment to the arts and the vital role the performing arts play in society. This tribute will be followed by a spectacular performance by the legendary ,Eartha Kitt, one of only a handful of performers to be nominated three times for a Tony Award and twice for a Grammy Award, and for an Emmy Award. The performance will be followed by a live auction. Guests then move to the Plaza which will be transformed by Evantine Design into the cafés, cabarets, and supper clubs of Paris, Berlin and New York.
Governor Edward G. Rendell
Throughout his nearly three decades of public service, Governor Edward G. Rendell has maintained a steadfast commitment to the arts and Pennsylvania's rich cultural heritage. As both a citizen and the commonwealth's chief executive, Governor Rendell recognizes the tremendous impact these cultural treasures have upon a community and its people.
As committed advocates for the arts, he and his wife, Midge, share a personal passion and deep, abiding civic pride in community and cultural endeavors. They have seen first-hand, the arts' ability to revive communities and create a lasting legacy for future generations. Governor Rendell has made support for the arts a cornerstone of his economic development and community revitalization initiatives, making new resources available to support projects that deliver the arts and new cultural experiences to diverse audiences of all ages, and from all walks of life, in cities and towns across Pennsylvania.
Eartha Kitt
Eartha Kitt is an international star who gives new meaning to the word versatile. She has distinguished herself in film, theater, cabaret, music and on television. Miss Kitt is one of only a handful of performers to be nominated for a Tony (three times), the Grammy (twice), and an Emmy Award. She has enthralled New York nightclub audiences during her extended stays at The Café Carlyle and made a triumphant return to this epitome of chic with a sold out run this summer. That performance has been captured in her newest recording, Eartha Kitt, Live at the Carlyle.
Summer in the City benefits the Kimmel Center’s education and community access programs as well as the diverse offerings of the Kimmel Center Presents performance series.
Turn-of-the-Century Paris
The history of cabaret culture began in 1881 with the opening of Le Chat Noir in the Montmartre district of Paris. Poets, artists, and composers gathered to share ideas and compositions. The place was a great success, visited by important people of high society. Cabarets brought a new intimacy and informal spirit to public performances.
1920s Berlin
Berlin cabaret represented a time when cabaret had an edge—sardonic, sophisticated and profane. Berlin cabaret provided lyrical outlets for social critics: topical satire in which nothing was sacred, and Berliners reveled in its unique style.
1950s New York
America's first Parisian-style cabaret was Sans Souci (1915), a 42nd Street establishment owned by the popular dance team of Vernon and Irene Castle. Trendy restaurants and cafés began to serve dinner with extravagant shows and musical acts. Prohibition put an end to these operations and the speakeasy was born. By the 1950s, elegant supper rooms had returned to New York, showcasing many future stage stars.
Tickets are $500-$1,000 per person and special packages are still available. To purchase tickets, please call 215-790-7171 or visit the Kimmel Center website at www.kimmelcenter.org.
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 Merck Arts Education Center. Kimmel Center, Inc. also manages the Academy of Music, owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association. The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and the Academy of Music serve as home to eight Resident Company performing arts organizations, including The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Ballet, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, American Theater 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 of programming through its Kimmel Center Presents and Broadway at the Academy series of performances.
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