April "Free at the Kimmel" Events Offer Something for Everyone
April 4, 2008
Kimmel Center Presents 2007/08 Season Sponsored by Citi
Sixth Anniversary Season Marked with 50 Free in the Plaza Performances, 20 Artist Chats, and Seven Organ Postludes as well as Themed Tours Throughout the Week
Kimmel Center Presents’ Free at the Kimmel events continue in April during the 6th anniversary 2007/08 season with more than 75 free events and performances to take place throughout the Center’s spaces this year. Free at the Kimmel includes: Free in the Plaza with local artists performing classical, jazz, pop, country, world, dance and family fun on the Commonwealth Plaza stage; as well as Artist Chats with Kimmel Center Presents performers; Education Events in the Merck Arts Education Center; and Organ Postludes on The Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ in Verizon Hall. Free themed tours, including Building & Theater Tour and Art & Architecture Tours, are conducted throughout the week by experienced volunteer guides. Updates and complete schedules are available at www.kimmelcenter.org. All artists and programs are subject to change.
FREE AT THE KIMMEL events are made possible through the Wachovia Gateway to the Arts Community Access Program supported by a generous grant from Wachovia Foundation.
Below is a full schedule of the Free at the Kimmel performances for the month of April.
Sunday, April 6, 2008 | 6pm
Commonwealth Plaza Stage
Indian Classical Music Showcase
Sangeet Society Artists Maitrayee Patel and Vaishali Patankar, accompanied by local Indian classical music artists, take us on a delightful musical tour. Enjoy classical, semi-classical, folk and film songs as the rich diversity of Indian music has evolved over the centuries. This concert takes place prior to the Asha Bhosle ticketed event in Verizon Hall.
Also in Commonwealth Plaza, a Batik Art Exhibition will be held by Artist Ritu Pandya.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008 | 6:15pm
Commonwealth Plaza Stage
American Composers Forum: Philadelphia Chapter
The Kimmel Center and the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Composers Forum have teamed up to present some of the most cutting-edge composers in the region. This concert will feature the music of Francis D’Amico, Ed Nawrocki, Ryan Olivier, Michael McGrath, and Matthew Greenbaum. Join us for this free concert in the Plaza prior to the ticketed Academy of St. Martin in the Fields performance in Verizon Hall. Composers and programs TBA.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008 | Post-show
Verizon Hall
Organ Postlude with Rudy Lucente
Join us as organist Rudy Lucente performs on the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ following the ticketed Academy of St. Martin in the Fields performance in Verizon Hall.
Saturday, April 12, 2008 | 2:15pm
Verizon Stage
Artist Chat with Dame Gillian Weir
An Artist Chat will take place with Dame Gillian Weir and Michael Barone, host of American Public Media’s "Pipe Dreams," prior to her recital in Verizon Hall.
Saturday, April 12, 2008 | 1:30pm & 5pm
Commonwealth Plaza Stage
The Nelly Berman School of Music Student Quartet
Join us as The Nelly Berman School of Music performs on the Free in the Plaza stage. These young talents will perform classical selections prior to and following the ticketed Dame Gillian Weir recital in Verizon Hall.
Sunday, April 13, 2008 | 6pm & 10:30pm
Commonwealth Plaza Stage
Geator Dance Party with DJ Mark the Spark
They're back! Party with the Geator and DJ Mark the Spark as they spin tunes from the good old days prior to and following the ticketed Jerry Blavat Doo Wop Reunion performance in Verizon Hall. The 6pm party will be broadcast live on WVLT-FM 92.1!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 | 6:30pm & 10:30pm
Commonwealth Plaza Stage
Joe Baione Sextet
Join us in the Plaza for a performance by jazz vibist Joe Baione prior to and following the ticketed performance by the Dave Brubeck Quartet with the Freddy Cole Quartet in Verizon Hall. Baione and his sextet bring sounds from their new CD produced by Grammy® award-winning producer Todd Barkan. According to Barkan, "In addition to being one of the hardest swinging members of his generation of vibers, Joe consistently reaches his listeners with the distinctiveness of his musical voice as both a truly creative virtuoso on his instrument and an increasingly compelling composer. In short, both his playing and his tunes speak more and more clearly and strongly to us."
Saturday, April 19, 2008 | Noon
Commonwealth Plaza Stage
Dream Flags Project 5th Anniversary Performance
Inspired by the poetry of Langston Hughes and the tradition of Nepalese Buddhist prayer flags, The Dream Flag Project is an annual poetry/art/community-connection project for students in kindergarten to 12th grade. Since its inception in the spring of 2003, the project has spread to more than 34 schools in Pennsylvania and beyond—from Portland to Palm Beach. And it’s still spreading. To date, more that 6,000 students in eight states have made Dream Flags—more than a mile of flags!
Saturday, April 19, 2008 | 6:30pm
Commonwealth Plaza Stage
Justin Faulkner Ensemble
Join us in the Plaza for a performance by the Justin Faulkner Ensemble prior to the ticketed performance of The Movie Music of Spike Lee & Terence Blanchard in Verizon Hall.
Saturday, April 26, 2008 | 11am
Commonwealth Plaza Stage
PNC Grow Up Great: Yosi & The Superdads
Look, up on the stage! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's Yosi & The Superdads!! Faster than a speeding toddler. More powerful than finger paint. Yosi & The Superdads welcome spring with their energetic songs in four-part harmony.
Saturday, April 26, 2008 | 1pm
Commonwealth Plaza Stage
Kimmel Center Youth Jazz Ensemble Celebrates Jazz in our Schools Month
The Kimmel’s own middle school big band performs their third concert of the season as part of Jazz in our Schools Month. Join conductor Marc Johnson as he leads the next generation of student musicians, picked from across the Delaware Valley, in an afternoon of jazz standards.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008 | 6:30pm
Commonwealth Plaza Stage
American Composers Forum: Philadelphia Chapter
The Kimmel Center and the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Composers Forum have teamed up to present some of the most cutting-edge composers in the region. Join us for a free concert in the Plaza prior to the ticketed Orchestre National de France performance in Verizon Hall. Composers and programs TBA.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008 | 6:30pm
Verizon Hall
Organ Postlude with Peter Conte
Join for an Organ Postlude featuring the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ following the ticketed Orchestre National de France performance in Verizon Hall.
Tuesdays-Sundays | 1pm
Commonwealth Plaza Information Desk
Building & Theater Tour
Join us for a themed tour which includes a history of the Kimmel Center; architectural and construction highlights; and visits to Commonwealth Plaza, Perelman Theater, Verizon Hall, Merck Arts Education Center and the Dorrance H. Hamilton Garden. This tour is approximately one hour in duration.
Please note: Building & Theater Tours will not be offered April 10, 2008.
Saturdays | 10:30am
Commonwealth Plaza Information Desk
Art & Architecture Tour
Join us for a themed tour which includes an in-depth look at the Kimmel Center's architecture, a walk along the Avenue of the Arts to view the Center in the context of the cityscape, and a tour of artworks on display throughout the Kimmel Center, including the Moore Galleries and the recently installed Percent for Art collection. Tours are led by experienced volunteer guides and are free of charge. This tour is approximately 90 minutes in duration.
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