Single Tickets Go On Sale for the Entire Kimmel Center Presents 2008-09 Season Sponsored by Citi and Select Cadillac Broadway Series Presentations on
August 6, 2008
Kimmel Center Presents 2008-09 Season Sponsored by Citi
Single tickets to all Kimmel Center Presents Sponsored by Citi performances and select Cadillac Broadway Series presentations for the 2008-09 season go on sale to the general public on Monday, August 18, 2008 beginning at 10am. A bevy of artistic talent will grace the Kimmel Center and Academy of Music throughout the 2008-09 season, with award-winning performers bringing the best of jazz, world, pop, dance, classical, new music and Broadway to the Philadelphia region.
Patrons can now visit the Kimmel Center Presents online digital media player for the opportunity to hear audio clips of artists in a series before they buy, located at www.kimmelcenter.org/player.
The following artists have been added to the line-up for the 2008-09 season:
- Haunted Halloween delivers Tricks, Treats and Tributes at the Kimmel Center on October 31, featuring a costume contest, ABBA-endorsed tribute band Björn Again and a late-night showing of the 1920 classic horror silent film Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde featuring John Barrymore with organ accompaniment by Peter Richard Conte, Grand Court Organist of the world famous Wanamaker Organ at the Macy's Philadelphia department store
- 2008 R&B Foundation Pioneer Awards Show to celebrate its 20th anniversary with a star-studded night on September 9
- Paris-based choreographer Jérôme Bel debuts Bessie award-winning The show must go on, September 11-13, in a collaboration with the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival
- Grammy®-winning singer-songwriter Joan Baez performs works from new album Day After Tomorrow on October 26
- Radio Stories & Other Stories: An Evening with Ira Glass, "Best Radio Host in America" (Time magazine), on January 24
- An evening with Tony® Award-winner Stephen Sondheim and theater critic Frank Rich on February 21
- Curtis Opera Theatre’s Wozzeck, in association with the Opera Company of Philadelphia on March 13, 15 and 18
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 215-790-5883.
A limited number of $10 tickets are available for every Kimmel Center Presents performance at the Kimmel Center. Tickets go on sale the day of the event and can be purchased at the Kimmel Center box office beginning at 5:30pm for evening performances and 11:30am for matinees. Limit one ticket per person.
Kimmel Center Presents’ 2008/2009 Season is sponsored by Citi. The Great Orchestra Series is supported by ARCWheeler. Additional support is provided by the University of Pennsylvania Health System, American Express, and Interpark. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Kimmel Center Presents. In-kind support is generously provided by Deloitte. NBC-10 is a media partner for Kimmel Center Presents.
Free in the Plaza programming and subsidized tickets offered to the community and social service groups for $10 are made possible through the Wachovia Gateway to the Arts Community Access Program, supported by a generous grant from the Wachovia Foundation.
The Kimmel Center is the recipient of partnership funding through the nationally recognized PNC "Grow Up Great" initiative, a ten-year, $100 million investment in preparing children for success in school and life. Funding gives support to the Kimmel Center’s early childhood program "Bop and Swing", an arts program for children 1-5 years old, designed to promote an appreciation for American culture.
KIMMEL CENTER PRESENTS SPONSORED BY CITI 2008-09 SEASON
August 20, 2008 – May 9, 2009
GREAT ORCHESTRAS ON TOUR SERIES
The Great Orchestras on Tour series opens with the New York Philharmonic, led by conductor Lorin Maazel, on Fri., October 3, 2008 as part of Maazel’s final tour as music director of the nation’s oldest orchestra; the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, with 27-year-old Venezuelan phenomenon Gustavo Dudamel, comes to Philadelphia on Wed., November 19, 2008; Conductor Franz Welser-Möst leads one of the world’s most revered symphonic ensembles, the Cleveland Orchestra, on Sun., February 8, 2009; and legendary conductor Zubin Mehta will lead the internationally renowned Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra with piano virtuoso Lang Lang in Philadelphia’s classical music event of the year on Tues., February 24, 2009.
Each concert for the Great Orchestras series will be followed by a free postlude performance on the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ.
MASTER MUSICIANS RECITAL SERIES
This year’s Master Musicians Recital Series brings world-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman to Philadelphia for a performance with pianist Rohan de Silva on Sun., November 2, 2008; Daniel Barenboim, one of the most versatile pianists of his generation, thrills audiences with an all-Liszt program on Mon., December 8, 2008; Grammy® award-winning violinist Hilary Hahn joins with pianist Valentina Lisitsa on Tues., March 4, 2009 for a recital of rare depth and beauty; Krystian Zimerman, hailed by the BBC as a "truly remarkable pianist," concludes the series on Wed., April 1, 2009.
THE FRED J. COOPER MEMORIAL ORGAN RECITAL SERIES
The Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ, a "versatile 6,938-pipe beast with a wide tonal palette and enough heft to compete with a symphony orchestra at full throttle" (Wall Street Journal), comes to life with programs of classical and contemporary repertoire from Vincent Dubois on Sat., October 25, 2008; Jane Parker-Smith, one of the world’s leading concert organists, on Sat., March 7, 2009; and internationally acclaimed organist James David Christie on Sat., May 2, 2009.
Each concert will be preceded by an Artist Chat featuring Michael Barone, host of American Public Media’s "Pipedreams," and will be recorded for broadcast on WRTI-FM. All three recitals will also feature video screens for up-close-and-personal points of view of the organists.
KEYBOARD CONVERSATIONS® WITH JEFFREY SIEGEL
In his fourth season of the unique, concert-plus-commentary Keyboard Conversations®, acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Siegel returns to Perelman Theater with three new presentations: Basking in Beethoven! on Mon., October 20, 2008; Longevity of the Short Piece on Mon., February 2, 2009; and the sonic splendor of Musical Pictures on Mon., April 13, 2009.
FRESH INK SERIES
The Kimmel Center’s Fresh Ink Series continues in Perelman Theater this season with a fresh, eclectic batch of performers. Grammy®-nominated wind quintet Imani Winds makes its Kimmel Center debut on Fri., October 24, 2008 and performs a world premiere by Jason Moran co-commissioned by the Kimmel Center; Bang on a Can All-Stars returns to the Kimmel Center with special guest drummer Glenn Kotche from Wilco, who has written new works for the ensemble, on Sat., February 28, 2009; and versatile 20-member band Alarm Will Sound brings "the future of classical music" (New York Times) to the Kimmel Center with a program featuring Berio, The Beatles, Aphex Twin and David Lang on Sat., April 25, 2009 in its Philadelphia debut.
Each of the concerts in the Fresh Ink Series will be recorded by WRTI-FM for delayed broadcast and will conclude with an Artist Chat featuring that evening’s artists and Kimmel Center Director of Programming Tom Warner, during which performers speak about their music-making as well as take questions from the audience.
Curtis Opera Theatre’s Wozzeck brings Alban Berg’s powerful, psychological thrill ride to the Perelman stage in association with the Opera Company of Philadelphia on Fri., March 13, Sun., March 15 and Wed., March 18, 2009.The performance will feature the Curtis Orchestra and singers conducted by the Opera Company of Philadelphia's Maestro Corrado Rovaris.
JAZZ FRIDAYS
Opening the jazz season, three pivotal proponents of the jazz standard movement, jazz masters Keith Jarrett, Jack DeJohnette and Gary Peacock perform on Fri., September 19, 2008 as part of their highly anticipated 25th Anniversary Tour; sultry chanteuse Cassandra Wilson showcases her honey-dipped vocals with Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band on Fri., November 7, 2008; the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra performs under the musical direction of internationally esteemed trumpeter-composer Wynton Marsalis on Fri., March 20, 2009.
Blue Note Records celebrates its 70th Anniversary Tour on Fri., April 3, 2009, featuring pianist Bill Charlap, saxophonists Ravi Coltrane and Steve Wilson, guitarist Peter Bernstein, drummer Lewis Nash, trumpeter Nicholas Payton and bassist Peter Washington. Afro-Cuban folk music, American jazz, and Latin percussion fill Verizon Hall on Fri., May 8, 2009 as the Conga Kings share the stage with two-time Grammy®-winning timba ensemble Tiempo Libre.
JAZZ UP CLOSE
This year’s Jazz Up Close series, under the guidance of Panamanian pianist and Artistic Advisor Danilo Pérez, celebrates the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis’ album Kind of Blue, with five concerts paying tribute to the top-selling jazz album of all time and the men who made it legendary.
The series kicks off with a performance by the lone surviving contributor to Kind of Blue, legendary drummer Jimmy Cobb on Sat., November 1, 2008; second in the series, the Fred Hersch Trio honors pianists Bill Evans and Wynton Kelly on Sat., December 6, 2008; Philadelphia’s own Randy Brecker honors trumpeter Miles Davis on Sat., February 7, 2009; the series moves on to saxophonists Cannonball Adderly and John Coltrane, who will be honored by saxophonist and composer Bobby Watson on Sat., March 28, 2009. The Jazz Up Close series concludes with bassists John Patitucci and Rufus Reid honoring bassist Paul Chambers on Sat., May 9, 2009. Danilo Pérez joins the bass men for a night that you’ll only hear live at the Kimmel Center.
Each of the five concerts in the Jazz Up Close series will be recorded live by WRTI-FM for delayed broadcast and features an intermission Artist Chat led by Danilo Pérez and Kimmel Center Vice President of Programming and Education Mervon Mehta, along with the musicians performing that evening, and explores the music heard in concert that evening as well as their own Kind of Blue thoughts, memories and riffs.
WORLD & POP SERIES
A mélange of diverse musical talent comprises the World & Pop Series, which opens with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and conductor Keith Lockhart’s salute to Leonard Bernstein on Wed., August 20, 2008. Still Black, Still Proud: An African Tribute to James Brown celebrates the legacy of the Godfather of Soul, performing with original James Brown band members led by Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley as well as Senegalese vocalist Cheikh Lo and Malian vocalist Vieux Farka Toure on Thurs., August 21, 2008. On Tues., September 9, 2008, the 2008 Pioneer Awards show, hosted in association with the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, celebrates its 20th anniversary with a star-studded musical event in Verizon Hall, featuring appearances by Chaka Khan, Teena Marie, Bill Withers, Bonnie Raitt, Dionne Warwick, Sugar Pie de Santo, Kool and the Gang, The Whispers and The Funk Brothers; The Lovin’ Spoonful’s founder John Sebastian shares the stage with 'Dawg' mandolinist David Grisman on Thurs., October 9, 2008, with bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys kicking off the evening; legendary sitarist-composer Ravi Shankar returns to the Kimmel Center for a special performance with his daughter Anoushka Shankar on Sun., October 19, 2008; and mandolin player Chris Thile, formerly of Nickel Creek, shares the stage with bassist Edgar Meyer for a performance of acoustic bluegrass, classical and jazz collaboration on Wed., October 22, 2008.
Mexico’s colorful folk traditions come to life as Sol y Canto and Melodic Vision present the enchanting Day of the Dead Celebration "Noche De Muertos" on Sat., October 25, 2008; Grammy®-winning singer-songwriter Joan Baez showcases her distinctive vocals on Sun., October 26, 2008; a Haunted Halloween delivers Tricks, Treats and Tributes at the Kimmel Center on Fri., October 31, 2008; Buenos Aires’ world-famous Estampas Porteñas, an ensemble of A-list dancers and musicians, fills the stage with the infectious ballroom rhythms of Tango Fire on Sat., November 1, 2008; Peter, Paul & Mary deliver pure acoustic folk on Sun., November 23, 2008; Grammy®-winning South African vocal ensemble Soweto Gospel Choir inspires audiences on Wed., December 10, 2008; led by one of the premier banjo players in the world, Béla Fleck and the Flecktones draw from bluegrass, funk, world music, pop and jazz influences on Wed., December 16, 2008 with special guest Klezmer clarinetist Andy Statman; and Philadelphia’s legendary radio personality Jerry Blavat returns to the Roots of Rock & Roll on Sun., January 18, 2009 and Street Corner Harmony on Sun., May 3, 2009.
Internationally acclaimed oud virtuoso and violinist Simon Shaheen explores new frontiers of Arabic music with a fusion of jazz and Western classical styles on Sun., February 1, 2009; Cape Breton Island fiddler Natalie MacMaster presents a performance of Celtic music with the David Bromberg Band featuring Angel Band on Sat., February 7, 2009; Portuguese fado star Mariza performs with special guest Brazilian songwriter and pianist Ivan Lins on Sun., March 1, 2009. Irish ambassadors to the world, The Chieftains return for their annual celebration of St. Patty’s Day on Sun., March 15, 2009; and the 14-piece Kodo Drummers unearth the treasures of the Japanese taiko drum on Tues., March 17, 2009.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS DANCE SERIES
Experimental choreographer Jérôme Bel debuts at the Kimmel Center with his provocative work The show must go on (2001) presented in association with the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival, September 11-13, 2008. Philadelphia’s own modern dance company, Philadanco sets the stage with a medley of dance favorites in Dazzling and Dynamite Dancing, Dances you love… on October 16-19, 2008. Philadanco’s spring residency, April 30-May 3, 2009, will break new ground with four world premieres in a program entitled New Faces. Internationally acclaimed and Montreal-based La La La Human Steps debuts at the Kimmel Center with the U.S. East Coast premiere of Amjad, November 6-8, 2008. Philly’s own internationally acclaimed Rennie Harris Puremovement returns to the Kimmel Center with the world premiere of 100NakedLocks on February 20-21, 2009.
Artist Chats will be held following the first performance of each set of performances with dancers and choreographers from the evening, and Kimmel Center Presents Director of Programming Tom Warner.
PERSPECTIVES
Named "Best Radio Host in America" by Time magazine, producer and host of NPR’s "This American Life" Ira Glass hosts Radio Stories & Other Stories: An Evening with Ira Glass on Sat., January 24, 2009. This rare evening of storytelling explores the principles that guide the thought-provoking program. On Sat., February 21, 2009, seven-time Tony® Award-winning composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim takes center stage with New York Times Op-Ed columnist and former chief theater critic Frank Rich for an evening of poignant anecdotes and an inside perspective on musical theater. Both evenings will conclude with time for audience Question and Answers.
SUMMER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
The annual Summer Solstice Celebration extravaganza starts at 3pm on Saturday, June 20, 2009 and continues all night long, with family events and games, as well as classical, jazz, R&B, pop, world music and dance performances—and much more. Tickets go on sale Spring 2009.
CADILLAC BROADWAY SERIES
Parenting 101 - The Musical’s hilarious Musical Guide to Raising Parents makes its Philadelphia premiere at the Kimmel Center’s Innovation Studio on Fri.-Sun., August 15-September 14, 2008; the wonderful Wizard of Oz captivates the entire family at the Academy of Music on Fri.-Sun., November 28-30, 2008; 2003 American Idol winner Ruben Studdard joins the smash hit musical Ain’t Misbehavin’ at the Academy of Music, Fri.-Sun., January 9-11, 2009; Give My Regards to Broadway taps and sings its way into America’s hearts at Innovation Studio, Thurs.-Sun., January 8- February 1, 2009; the groundbreaking musical Jesus Christ Superstar continues to mesmerize audiences at the Academy of Music, Fri.-Sun., January 30-February 1, 2009; Neil Simon’s The Odd Couple, starring Philly’s own Tony Braithwaite, brings down the house in Innovation Studio on Thurs.-Sun, February 5-March 1, 2009.
PLEASE NOTE: Additional events will be announced as they are confirmed.
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